Even before Mrs. Thomas announced that she was going to walk down each aisle of the classroom and return the test papers, Sue was filled with worry and fear. She remembered taking that test. She'd never forget it as long as she lived.

It was the test she'd stayed up all night studying for- the one that had forced her to sharpen her beloved unicorn pencil so many times that the unicorn was completely gone, leaving only two colors- seafoam green and ocean blue. Soon there would be nothing left, and it would be just a memory. A feeling of panic came over her when she recalled the day that her mom had walked into her room and handed her a small paper bag.

"What's this?" Sue asked.

Her mom wore a suspiciously bright smile "It's for you!"

Sue gazed at the sparkly pastel colored pencil adorned with her favorite animal in awe. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.

"But why?"

"Well, I had to give you something for helping around the house!"

"But you made me do it!"

"I know, but I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate it."

She hugged her mom tightly. "You shouldn't have done this, Mom. It's so expensive!"

"Not really. I bought it at the Frugal Hoosier!"

Sue treasured that pencil. Her mom may have bought it at the Frugal Hoosier, but Sue knew that it was quite a sacrifice. They didn't have a lot of money as it was, and it wasn't right for her mom to go around buying things that weren't absolutely necessary. A number two yellow pencil would have been just fine.

The memory faded, bringing her back to reality. Why, oh why had she spent all that time worrying about her unicorn pencil when she should have been studying for her test?

The closer Mrs. Thomas came to her desk, the more worried Sue became. She turned around and faced her best friend who was sitting behind her reading his textbook. Or at least he was pretending to read it. But this was not the time for reading-pretend or no pretend.

Annoyed, she pushed the book down with her fingers, forcing him to look at her.

"What?"

"Brad, how can you be so calm?" She hissed.

"What are you talking about? I'm always calm."

This was a lie of epic proportions. Brad had been known to freak out on many occasions-usually those involving song and dance.

"I mean about this test! God, I'm so nervous!"

Brad, being Brad, simply flashed a perfect smile. "Sue, calm down! You've got this!"

She tried to smile back-she really did. Brad was a wonderful guy-the best friend she could ever have. He was always encouraging her in any situation. But no amount of smiles-or even song and dance-would help her this time. Still, she appreciated the reassurance.

"Thanks Brad."

His hand covered hers. "Sue, you're a good student! Just remember that, all right?"

She let out a deep, frustrated sigh. "I guess…"

"Come on, where's the Sue Heck I know and love-the one who is full of self-assurance, sunshine and rainbows?"

Her confidence lifted, she smiled at him. "You're right! I am a good student!"

"That's the spirit!" He shouted, punching his fist in the air and earning an unsettling glare from Mrs. Thomas.

"I know I passed this test with a rainbow of flying colors! I-."

When she felt Mrs. Thomas' presence, Sue slowly turned around and glanced at the piece of paper that lay face down on her desk. The sight sent her heart racing out of control. It was as though any attempt to touch the sheet of paper would invoke the worst punishment imaginable; suspension, expulsion, or worse. But Brad was right. She had to face the facts and the sooner she took control of the situation the better. She shut her eyes and turned the paper over and then forced herself to look.

The red numbers glared at her and a feeling worse than the worst possible seasickness followed. Any minute she was sure that she was going to lose it-and not just mentally.

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. And then she felt him glancing over her shoulder. "So how bad is it?"

Embarrassed to show the test to even her closest friend (the one person she trusted more than anyone else), she shook her head. "I-I can't!"

"Come on, Sue! How bad can it be?"

When she frowned he grinned brightly. "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours!"

She couldn't even bring herself to laugh at his attempt at humor. And she had to admit it was funny. Instead she felt like crying.

"Come on…" he coaxed.

"No! It's embarrassing!"

"Please?"

"Oh… all right. I have to show it to someone. You might as well be the first." Her hand trembled as she picked up the paper and handed it to him. He took one look at it and grimaced.

"Ouch!"

"God, Brad I've never done this badly on anything, ever!"

"Calm down, Sue! It's just one test!"

"Yeah, today it's just one test, but what about the next one? And the one after that? I can't do this, Brad! I can't! I don't know what I was thinking, trying to convince

Mom and Dad that I was smart enough to be in Advanced Algebra! I have no idea what I'm doing here! I feel like a complete idiot!"

"You're not an idiot, Sue! You're smart!"

"Not smart enough."

"You're being way too hard on yourself. This was the hardest test I've taken so far! Believe me, I struggled with this one!"

His words made her soften a bit. "Oh yeah? What did you make?"

"You sure you want to see?"

"Yeah."

But when he lifted his paper and she glanced at his grade, she groaned. His grade was much higher than hers. "Gee, thanks Brad. Congratulations."

"I'm sorry." He said. "Maybe I shouldn't have showed it to you."

"No, it's all right. I'm happy for you." It wasn't a lie; she really was happy for him, but why couldn't she be happy for herself, too?

"Like I said, Sue… you're smart!"

"No I'm not! Brad, my parents are going to kill me!"

Sue, relax, all right? You're parents are great. I'm sure they'll understand."

"They won't understand this. Don't you get it? Do you have any idea how many meetings my mom and dad had to go to in order to get me into this class? Axl is the one who gets bad grades! Not me!"

"Sue-."

"I mean, I'm not perfect, but I get much better grades than Axl! Or… at least I used to…"

"I promise everything will be fine."

"Are you sure?"

He drew an X on his plaid shirt with his hand and smiled. "Cross my heart!"

"Well, I hope you're right."

"I am right! You have nothing to worry about!"

Even though she trusted Brad completely, there was nothing she could do but worry.