I pulled the short pencil for detention. Again. When Ms. Bryce left, I thought I was done with detention. I figured that, finally, I wouldn’t get in any more trouble for no good reason at all.

But I’m sent to the principal’s office just as often as I was before. No, I’m sent to his office more often than before.

I’ve always been the best-behaved kid in class, too. I’m just blamed for stuff. Like the time I left the faucet going in the lab sink and it overflowed and ruined the floor and Ms. Bryce’s shoes.

It’s not like I left the paper towel in the sink on purpose. How I was supposed to know it would clog the drain like that? I was trying to clean the sink and do a good deed. I just forgot the towel was there.

“Anyone want to switch with me?” I ask. “I went to the office yesterday. And the day before that.” And the day before that.

I hold up my short pencil and scan the room. No one steps forward or raises their hand. Not that I can blame them. It isn’t any fun getting into trouble.

Maggie doesn’t look at me. She just pulls her hair and stares at the walls. I don’t know why she’s so upset. It’s not like she’s the one marching to the principal’s office again.

My eyes meet Lizzie’s. I think that she is about to open her mouth and raise her hand. I shake my head.

No. I am not switching with Lizzie. I wouldn’t want her to get into trouble, even if it’s fake trouble.

Lizzie shrugs and smiles at me. I’d happily get into all sorts of trouble for that smile.

I’ll grab another lollipop for her while I’m in the office. She told me she likes grape the best. I’ll grab two grape lollipops. Maybe three. It’s my favorite flavor, too. At least it’s my favorite flavor now.

Ms. Bryce kept a detention slip pad on her desk. Before I head out the door, I tear a slip from the pad. But I need to think of a reason why I’m in trouble. I can’t just report to the principal’s office for no reason at all.

The first time, I forgot to bring a slip. So when I got to the office and Mrs. Frank asked me for it, I froze.

“Hand it over,” she said.

I didn’t respond.

“I need your slip.” She held out her hand.

I stammered. “Uh, I don’t have one.”

She tapped her pencil on her notepad. “Why not?” she asked.

I bit my tongue. “It’s because …” I fidgeted. “It’s because I ate the detention pad,” I blurted out. “And that’s why I’m in trouble.”

Mrs. Frank frowned. “And why did you eat the detention pad?”

“Um … Because I wanted to take a bite out of crime?”

She sighed and told me to take a seat.

So this time, I make sure I’m prepared. It’s not easy to make up things that will get you in trouble, but not in too much trouble. I can’t claim to do anything that will trigger a phone call to my parents.

I jot down an excuse and head toward the door.

“I’m reporting to the principal’s office,” I say, stopping at the door frame. “It’s not too late to switch with me.” But no one even looks at me except Lizzie, who smiles. I sigh and leave.

I’m just glad today is Friday so I can’t possibly be sent to detention tomorrow. At least I think I can’t.

If anyone asks me, I’m not pulling any pencils on Saturday.

When I arrive at the office, Mrs. Frank looks up from her computer screen. “What is it now, Adam?” she asks, tapping her pencil on her notepad.

I hand her my slip.

She reads it, shakes her head, and then looks up at me. “It says you ate Lizzie’s homework.”

I nod.

“Why would you do that?”

“I heard the assignment was a piece of cake.”

She moans. “You have a nasty habit of eating things.” She points to the row of green plastic chairs against the wall and across from her desk. “Principal Klein will be with you in a few minutes. Have a seat. And try not to eat anything.”