When I peeked up at Ms. G., she wasn’t keeping track of me turning pages. She was reading her own book and fixing her pencil hair, so I decided to search for pictures. There was one near the middle, with the same kids from the cover. They were standing in a place with a lot of trees. One of them had their arms stretched high to the sky, like they could do anything.

4. Burnt Sienna, Brick Red, Laser Lemon

The rest of the day was good, as far as first days go.

Ms. G. said I didn’t have to worry about the homework because I’d just gotten there. But I was welcome to take her book home and do a little reading. See? I knew it.

Recess was last thing. I’ve been to other schools that do that, too. I think it’s so they can hold it over your head the whole day. The teachers are always saying things like “Careful there. You don’t want to lose recess.” Or “I’d hate for some people to have to miss recess.” They don’t call it punishment. They call it consequences. But it pretty much seems like punishment to me.

The class packed up and lined up and headed outside. Everybody dumped their stuff in a big stuff pile. Some kids ran to the playground, and some kids ran to the kickball field.

I wasn’t about to climb, and I wasn’t about to run. I didn’t want to look stupid. You don’t want to get all the way to the top of the twisty-slide just to worry about getting stuck, then have to come back down the steps.

I stood against the brick wall near the door. I held on to Ms. G.’s book so it wouldn’t get buried under a bunch of backpacks. I rubbed my thumb over the sticker. It felt smooth and cool.

Bertie spotted me from the swings. She skipped over and stood right next to me.

“What do you want to do?” she asked.

I didn’t want to do anything. I just wanted to stand there until it was time to go. I don’t get why most kids think standing at the wall by yourself is so terrible.

“We could play wallball,” Bertie tried. “But we need a ball. One time, Charlene kicked a ball so high, it landed on the roof. It’s probably still up there. But I don’t think we can get that one. Unless you’re Spider-Man or something.” She laughed.

I shrugged, which is a good way of saying something without having to say anything, and I wondered how long it would take for Bertie to get the message.