Standing a little to the left of them, two girls could barely hold back their giggles. One looked at Nova, then whispered to the other behind her hand.

Nova removed her palms from her chest, confused and embarrassed. She hit herself one-two-three-four times in the temple with her palm to make the bad feeling go away, but it did not work. What were the girls laughing about? Why did Miss Chambers seem upset?

“Those girls are super mean,” hissed Mallory, adjusting her glasses and glaring at them. “Last semester one of their friends tripped Mary-Beth in gym class. She said it was an accident but it was no accident.”

“We’re baking chocolate chip cookies today!” announced Not-Strega-Nona, clapping her hands together. “Your materials have already been set out.”

Miss Chambers beamed at Mallory, Mary-Beth, and Nova. Nova grinned back. She could bake cookies! She could crack eggs! She wondered if they would be allowed to eat the raw dough.

The thirteen girls were separated into three groups at three workstations, with two ovens in each workstation and two girls at each oven, except for the one Nova, Mary-Beth, and Mallory were to use with Miss Chambers.

Sharing their workstation were the two giggling girls, who were not giggling anymore.

“Great, we’re at the spaz station!” said the taller girl, who Nova thought looked like a carrot thanks to her bright orange dress, ginger hair, and wide green cloth headband. She was the one who had been pointing. “Can’t Denise and me work with Ashley and Sammy Jo?”

“No, Krystle,” said Not-Strega-Nona. “I let you choose your partners, not your stations.”

Carrot Krystle let out an exaggerated sigh as her friend, whose hair was pulled into dozens of braids, shrugged. She was wearing a polka-dot dress with matching plastic jewelry. Nova decided to name her Polka Dot Denise.

While Not-Strega-Nona lectured on the importance of safety in the work space, Nova felt herself drifting away. Her eyes saw stars. Her ears heard music. She covered her ears to block out the teacher so “Space Oddity” filled the room. She pictured herself standing on a planet, alone, like the Little Prince, waiting for the Fox to come with his secret.

“Nova?” Miss Chambers nudged her gently. “Nova, it’s time to start.”

Nova lowered her hands. She had missed all the instructions. But that was okay. Cookies were easy.

Nova, Mallory, and Mary-Beth took turns measuring, pouring, and mixing, led by Miss Chambers, who wouldn’t let them eat any of the raw dough but did look the other way when they snuck a few chocolate chips. When Miss Chambers asked for a volunteer to crack the eggs, Nova jumped and squeaked and raised her hand. She did the job carefully. Tap-tap-tap. No shells in the bowl. She wished she could tell Billy.