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Baumgartner said. “We simply haven’t got the money to print your paper. Either it pays for itself or we’ll have to shut it down. It’s as simple as that.”
    Martin slumped in his chair like a rag doll, his eyes staring blankly at the floor.
    â€œNow for you, Trixi,” Ms. Baumgartner said, turning in her chair. “You might be wondering what you have to do with all of this.”
    â€œLet me take a wild guess,” Trixi said, scanning the ceiling. “Could it have something to do with a meeting you had with my parents yesterday?”
    â€œIt’s not just about that, Trixi,” Ms. Baumgartner said. “We are all concerned with your behavior in and out of the classroom. It’s not only disruptive to the rest of the school, but it’s also affecting your schoolwork.”
    â€œOh, brother,” Trixi said, sliding down in her chair. “Here it comes.”
    â€œHowever,” the principal continued, “we all recognize that you have some very special talents. Although your ‘activities’ cause disruptions in our school, they do show a great deal of creativity and careful planning. The problem, Trixi, is that your talents are being wasted. They’re being used for the wrong purposes.”
    â€œUh, Ms. Baumgartner? Does Martin have to hear all this?” Trixi said.
    â€œActually, he does. Here’s the reason why I have you both here,” Ms. Baumgartner said. “We have you, Martin—an excellent writer with a newspaper that isn’t selling. Then we have you, Trixi—someone who doesn’t like to write, but is full of incredibly creative ideas.”
    Martin and Trixi glanced at one another. Neither of them liked where Ms. Baumgartner’s lecture was heading.
    â€œI’m suggesting that the two of you work together on the school newspaper. Martin’s attention to the facts and his outstanding spelling and grammar will be combined with Trixi’s creativity and imagination. Together, the two of you will produce a school newspaper that students will be eager to read and buy.”
    â€œYou’re not serious, are you?” Trixi said, rising out of her seat. “This is just some sort of sick joke, right?”
    â€œSit down, Trixi. This is no joke. I am completely serious.”
    â€œBut I hate writing! You know I’m no good at it. The paper will be full of bad spelling and wrong words in the wrong places. Think how bad it’ll make the school look!”
    â€œThat’s why you and Martin are the perfect team,” Ms. Baumgartner said. “You’ve got the ideas, and he can help you with the writing.”
    â€œShe’ll ruin my newspaper!” Martin said, jabbing a finger in Trixi’s direction. “She’ll destroy it! She does that to everything!”
    â€œThe two of you must learn to work together,” Ms.
    Baumgartner said. “That’s all there is to it.”
    â€œWork together!” Martin howled. “I can’t work with… with…her! I hate her! And she hates me!”
    â€œNow, Martin, hate is a very strong word,” Ms. Baumgartner said.
    â€œNot in this case,” Trixi said. “In fact, I’d say it’s probably not strong enough!”
    â€œBut I didn’t think you even knew each other. You’re in different classes, and you don’t have the same friends. How can you dislike someone you barely know? I just assumed—”
    â€œWell, you assumed wrong!” Trixi jumped out of her seat again.
    Ms. Baumgartner cleared her throat and pointed at the chair. Trixi sat down.
    â€œThe two of you will just have to work things out,” Ms. Baumgartner said. “Remember our school motto: Cooperation, Kindness and Caring.”
    â€œI know our school motto,” Trixi said, “and if you must know, only the teachers believe in it. None of the kids do.”
    Ms. Baumgartner’s eyes widened as she