School will be over in two weeks,
but we still have lots to do before then.
Today
we brought our science projects to school
for the Science Groove.
Papa carried my moon box,
and I carried my poster and report
and the flashlight and extra batteries
to the gym,
where many long tables were set up
to hold the displays.
Tonight
the teachers and parents and families
and anyone else
will come to the gym,
look at the projects, and ask questions.
Mrs. Stanton said there isn’t much to do in Hillsborough,
so everyone in town comes to the Science Groove.
Tomorrow
the judges will look at the Group A and B projects
and read our reports
and ask us questions.
Papa said my project is in a good spot,
at the end of the table,
where you can see it from the entrance to the gym.
People are coming by
and looking through the holes at the moon
and asking questions, like
“Why did you do this project?” and
“Do you like the moon?” and
“What nationality are you?”
(But mostly they ask about my project.)
The big difference between Group A and Group B
is that Group A wins the awards.
David, who made the water mill in wood shop,
is next to me. He’s in Group B
but thinks he should be in A,
and has told me many times tonight
in many different ways—like
“How is a box with holes better than a water mill?”
“Your father made that, right?”
“I’d be in Group A if you didn’t move here,” and
“People should stay with their own kind.”
It’s funny
how other people get to decide when I’m invisible
but I can’t make them disappear.
So I turn around and pretend to straighten my poster,
when someone behind me says,
“Well, well. That’s a good-looking box.
Did you make that all by yourself?”
I nod, and turn around
to see Mr. Dell.
My heart thumps at the surprise
of seeing him at school,
until I remember the Science Groove is public.
“Hello,” I say carefully.
“Mm-hmm,” he says with a little nod,
and walks on down the aisle.