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“Is it true that you’re mixed?” asked the boy.
Luna stared, her face frozen in a polite smile. It's not even been a week since the transfer, has someone already spread rumors about her?
She looked around but no one else met her eyes. The others watched the teacher, who was pointing at some chimpanzees and spewing out facts about them in his own portrayal of Discovery Channel.
“Is it true that your dad’s white and your mom’s black?” The boy’s eyes glimmered with curiosity.
Images of a ruined locker and ripped school books flashed before her. Sniggers. Silence. Tears. She clutched the straps of her backpack and lowered her head. Her mouth felt dry. She would have to switch school. Again.
The boy crinkled his brows, his expression confused. “Hey, what’s wro-”
A tall girl with a ponytail appeared, shaking the boy’s shoulder. She pointed to the teacher, now screaming and yelling with the other classmates laughing.
“Hey Joey, go to the front!” said the girl. “The monkeys are flinging poop at the teacher!”
“What? No way!” The boy disappeared to get a better view of the spectacle.
A sigh of relief escaped from Luna before she noticed and covered her mouth in panic.
“Sorry for that,” said the girl with ponytail. “Joey’s nice but he has no idea what privacy is.”
“Thanks.” Luna wanted to say something more to show her gratitude, but nothing sprang up in her mind. "Thank you." She pinched herself for not coming up with anything better.
“No problem,” said the girl and headed to the front while shouting so that everyone could hear, “Mr. Rolowski, can’t we look at the pandas soon? They’re my favorite!”
The others murmured in agreement, none noticing the sweet smile spread across Luna’s face.
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