**slides into the seat at the back behind Laurie, head hanging low**
Sorry I'm late teacher. Please don't be mad at me. My cat barfed all over my skirt this morning so I had to wash it before coming to school. Here's a note from my Mom.

**tugs on Laurie's ponytail**


**leans over to Connie**
Psssst, Connie, meet me in the courtyard at lunch. I just heard some juicy gossip about Mario!

Julie, how did you do that? Geez, don't get caught otherwise you'll have to go to the Principal's Office. God only know what happens in there.