“Go for it, Milla,” he says.

“Um, so, each line is three words and then has a line after it of one word. And the one word continues the sentence and kind of changes the meaning of the line before it.”

Mr. Sandler is nodding excitedly and moving his hand as if to say “and …?”

“Well, the poem starts with the words ‘so much depends,’ and really everything depends on each word of the poem because it’s so short so every word has meaning and importance. Especially even the smallest, single word.”

“Excellent again, Milla.” His grin is infectious, and his eyes are sparkling.

I can feel my face getting flushed. It is hard to stop the smile from spreading up to my ears.

“Anyone else?” he says. One hand goes up. It’s Honey’s. “Deb?” he calls on her, remembering her name too.

“Yeah, like Milla said, everything depends on everything, whether it’s small or big, everything in life is connected.”

“That’s beautiful, Deb.”

Honey beams and turns around to catch my eye. I smile back. But I can’t help feeling like I am a birthday balloon from three days ago, still shiny but no longer floating up to the ceiling. English is my best subject. Math is hers.

By the time Friday afternoon comes around, I have been in middle school for a total of three days and I am thoroughly worn out. I always thought the older I got the more I would stay up late, but now I understand why Josh Wine goes to sleep right after dinner on Friday nights. Being more grown-up is exhausting. I can’t wait for Shabbat.

Honey has saved a seat for me on the bus, and I flop down beside her.

“Nat invited me to come over on Sunday,” she tells me.

“Cool,” I say, feigning a smile. “Her house is really nice. They have an indoor swimming pool.”

“Yeah, she told me to bring a bathing suit.” Honey shrugs.

I know she doesn’t really care how fancy or big someone’s house is or isn’t. But I wonder if Natalie knows she can’t just buy Honey’s friendship.

“She’s nice,” Honey says, giving me a look. “She’s gone out of her way to make me feel welcome.”

“Great,” I say, until I realize what Honey’s said. “Wait, who’s not making you feel welcome?”

She’s quiet for a minute. Then she turns to me. “Milla, why aren’t you calling me Deb? Everyone is except for you.”

She means I’m not making her feel welcome? “Oh, like your new bestie, Nat?” I say before I can help myself.

She raises her eyebrows. “You don’t see me making a big deal about you signing up to do Mr. Hill’s geography project with Sophie and Tali.”

I flush guiltily. It’s true. I’d immediately signaled to Sophie and Tali; the three of us always work on assignments together. But by the time it occurred to me to include Honey, Natalie had already pulled her chair over to Honey’s desk.