When I hand my assignment to Ms. Daniels in world cultures, I feel like I’m cheating, because I don’t have the space filled in for Mom’s father’s birthplace. Or maybe I feel like I’ve been cheated.

In science, Mr. Milot tells me twice to stop talking to Sophie, then moves my seat for the rest of the period. Embarrassing!

At the end of the day, someone slams me into a bay of lockers. There’s a mass of kids, so I can’t see who did it, but I’m pretty sure I hear Tommy’s obnoxious laughter as I rub my shoulder and walk out into the courtyard.

Friday at school is no better. I end the day getting shoved into the lockers. Again. Going home, I think about my rotten day and realize that the only thing that will make it better is a fat slice of Bubbe’s Jewish apple cake and a cold glass of soy milk.

I run the rest of the way home.