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talking to the new girl more than he’s talking to you.”
    I don’t say anything. It’s not really that big of a deal, but the way they’re reacting is stressing me out. I’m ripping my clementine peel into a million little pieces.
    â€œWe should make a video of her!” Kendall yelps. “And, like, show it to people and stuff. Wouldn’t that be hilarious?”
    â€œDo you know how to even use a camera, Ken?” Molly elbows Kendall. “Come on.”
    â€œYeah, there’s one on my phone!”
    Finally, the bell rings and we all leave the cafeteria. I block out the fact that Ross was just talking to Dina and I have absolutely no idea why. I block out the fact that it seems like Kendall wants to torment the new girl.
    Have they really stooped that low? Have
I
stooped that low, too?
    After school, I meet Dina in the library. She’s sitting at one of the back tables, writing in a Curious George notebook. It’s one of those thick, sturdy ones, with a red binding and a bright yellow cover, and I immediately want it. I have a soft spot forschool supplies. I’m staring at it so I almost trip on one of the blue library carts that’s sitting in the middle of the floor.
    â€œOh, sorry,” this kid says, running over to move it.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” I say. I can’t think of his name. He was new last year, but he hasn’t been in any of my classes. I think something happened to him over the summer—he’s turned cute out of nowhere. He has ultrashort brown hair and very blue eyes. You don’t see that combination very often.
    As I get closer to Dina, I notice how neat her handwriting is and spot the pretty turquoise ring on her middle finger.
    There are cool things about her when you take the time to pay attention. Maybe Ross realized that.
    â€œHey,” I say. I want to compliment her on her notebook and her ring, but I don’t. The words don’t come out.
    â€œOh, hi!” Dina’s way too cheery for three fifteen, and it bugs me when people are too cheery for no reason at all. I want to tell her to cheer down. “I was just jotting down notes. I have a million ideas, but here’s the best one: I can tape and you can be the star of the video! Like how Mr. Valakis said ‘a day in the life’ of a student here. Well, this can be a day in your life!”
    â€œUm.” At first, I think that sounds like an amazing idea. Who doesn’t want to be a star? It could be like my own reality show, a camera following me around. Then I couldbe discovered and become the next Sasha Preston. But after I think about it for a few minutes, I change my mind. “That would be cool, but I don’t think so.”
    â€œWhy not?” she asks. “You know everyone at school, you’ve lived here awhile, you’re perfect for ‘a day in the life of a Rockwood Hills student.’ I’ll do all the shooting and editing and putting it all together. You’d just have to be you!”
    â€œI said no.” Dina doesn’t even know me. How does she know I’d be a good star for the video? I can’t look at her, so I look at my phone instead. Kendall sent a text about how they’re all going to Ross’s house to order in sushi and play video games and I should meet up with them. I don’t want to be here, but I’m not sure I want to be there, either. I’m sure everyone is already talking about their plans for winter break and if they’re flying first-class. And I’m a little sick of Kendall and Molly trying to convince me that I like Ross. I’m not sure I do. “Okay?”
    â€œOkay,” Dina says under her breath, like she knows she’s been defeated, and she stays quiet for a few minutes.
    â€œIt just wouldn’t be good to focus on one person in the video,” I say as an excuse because I feel bad but also because I can’t stand the awkward