Nova knew the back room was bad because dogs seemed sad to go there, but she wished she could ask, “What happens after they die? Do they come back? Do they get adopted? Why does it make them sad to die in the back room?”

When they arrived, Mrs. Pierce was seated at her desk, writing on a giant calendar.

“You must be Nova!” Mrs. Pierce stood to greet them at the door. “Oh, those braids! Francine, she’s just darling!”

Nova scowled, hands still pressed firmly over her ears. There was that word again. Darling.

“And who’s this?” Mrs. Pierce poked NASA Bear’s tummy.

“This is Nova’s astronaut teddy,” said Francine, handing the bear to Nova.

Nova realized that no one but she and Bridget knew NASA Bear’s name, and without Bridget around, it was possible no one else ever would. The thought made her stomach twist painfully into a pretzel.

Sometimes I hate you, Nova thought.

Immediately another feeling took up space in Nova’s gut, forcing out the anger. It made her want to say “I’m sorry” for the second time in two days. She hugged NASA Bear, ignoring the tear that dripped down onto his helmet.

“You’re interested in space travel, right, Nova?” asked Mrs. Pierce. Nova did not respond, not even with an “Mm.” “We signed you up for astronomy on Wednesdays. We have a volunteer from the high school who’s going to take that class with you.”

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Francine as she wiped Nova’s cheeks with a tissue from her purse. “How’d you work that out?”

“Juniors and seniors get extra credit for tutoring middle schoolers during study halls. One girl wants to pursue a career in special education or astrophysics and happens to love astronomy too. We figured this would be a perfect experience for her, look nice on her college applications…”

Nova tuned out as the conversation turned dull. She wandered over toward her desk table. A skinny-armed, big-bellied boy with a round face and spiky hair sat cross-legged under it.

“Hi,” he said. Nova looked behind her. No one was there.

“I’m talking at you!” The boy giggled. “You silly. Wanna sit in my cave? There’s a bear out there!” He pointed at NASA Bear. “It wants-a eat us!”