“School is about optimizing learning for students. Teachers would adapt. And don’t forget: if school ended at five o’clock, kids would arrive home at the same time as their parents, so they’d be better supervised and get in less trouble. It’s a no-brainer.”

Murray’s forehead creased as he searched for a rebuttal. Several seconds passed, and then his eyes lit up. “I think Hogwarts begins classes every morning at nine o’clock sharp. Shouldn’t we aim to be like Hogwarts?”

Alfie gave Murray a consoling pat on the arm. “You do know Hogwarts isn’t real, right?”

Murray groaned and Ms. Ryder clapped her hands. “Very close, gentlemen. Kudos, Murray, for finding a way to bring Hogwarts into the debate, but this victory belongs to Alfie.”

Murray and Alfie shook hands and sat down.

“Our last debaters will be Cassie and Ali. Here’s your resolution: ‘Be it resolved that Princess Elizabeth School is the best school in Saint John.’ Ali will argue for the resolution, Cassie against. You’ve got two minutes to prepare.”

Cassie scribbled points on a piece of paper, while a petrified Ali stared down at her notebook, unable to think of a single argument. Alfie turned and gave her an encouraging smile, which made things worse. Soon he’d know his cousin was the worst debater ever. And why was it so hot in Ms. Ryder’s classroom? Didn’t she believe in opening a window?

“You start, Ali.” Ms. Ryder was chipper, like she didn’t know Ali was about to faint.

“The students seem nice in Saint John,” a shaky Ali whispered to the wall.

“Ali, it’s important to make eye contact with your opponent,” interjected Ms. Ryder.

Ali did as she was told. Until this moment, she’d only ever focused on that fact that Cassie was almost six feet tall. But now, forced to stare at her, Ali saw the long sandy curls and the deep blue eyes that were the same color as a blueberry. When Cassie flashed an encouraging smile, there was a sizable gap between her front teeth. She wasn’t perfectly put together like Emily was, but there was something about Cassie that made you want to look at her, even if she did dress in baggy overalls and a plaid shirt. Thanks to the smile, Ali began to relax. A warm tingle replaced the earlier panic.

“Many students in Saint John are nice,” Cassie replied. “But there’s no evidence to suggest that Princess Elizabeth School has nicer students.”

Instead of being stung by Cassie’s response, her words strengthened the warmth cascading through Ali, as if Cassie’s confidence was contagious.

“That’s true,” said Ali, heartened by how solid her voice sounded now. “But isn’t Princess Elizabeth a community school, with lots of local organizations donating time and money to help kids? I think that makes us special.”