36

The morning goes by in a blur. I catch Krysta studying me out of the corner of her eye, but she keeps her distance.

During recess, a group of kids comes up to ask me if my dad really saved the mayor’s life. I only nod and push past them to go sit by myself on a bench with my notebook. Then I eat my lunch alone at Daniel’s empty table, wondering how he’s doing and wishing I could ask him myself. I’m surprised by how freeing it is to simply eat my sandwich without anyone commenting on it.

Near the end of the day, Miss Patel announces that it’s time to go to the auditorium for the Amber Centennial assembly. I’d forgotten all about it. Mayor Perez was supposed to make a speech. I wonder who will do it now that he’s in the hospital.

When the national anthem fills the auditorium and our celebration of the anniversary of Amber’s discovery begins, it should be magical. Just a few weeks ago, I would have breathed in every moment of it, trying to feel as though I belonged here.

But as the principal gets up to make a speech, I can’t help wondering what Daniel would think of all of this. Would he roll his eyes as he listened to all the talk about “our country” and “our Amber” when he knows the other side of it? When he knows the worry of being from the wrong country, of not having enough Amber when you desperately need it?

I didn’t take my ration this morning. It didn’t feel right, not after I watched Amber hurt Eileen and Mayor Perez. Not after I placed third in the writing contest without it.

The principal finishes his speech, and everyone applauds. Then he says, “We had hoped that our mayor would be here to speak to us today, but instead his wife is going to say a few words on his behalf.” Mrs. Perez stands up in the front row and gives a small wave. “But first we have a dance performance by our very own students!”

Krysta, Yuli, Eileen, and Ava all come out, their heads held high. I’m surprised to see that they’re clutching pieces of poster board in their hands. They put them facedown on the stage before taking their places. The music starts.

The dance is amazing. Every step and turn is perfect. But it’s not the fact that the four of them are perfect that makes them so fun to watch. It’s that you can tell they love dancing. Krysta, Yuli, Ava. Even Eileen. They’re dancing for the pure joy of it. No wonder I never really belonged in the dance group. I was only there to fit in, not because I wanted to do it.

The music ends, and I expect the girls to strike their final poses. But instead they bend down and grab the posters from the stage. When they hold them up, I see that there are words written on them in Krysta’s perfectly neat handwriting. They spell out a message, like the signs at the protest.

KIDS DESERVE TO LIVE!