"Claudia Kishi, please report to the office," Mr. Kingbridge's voice crackles over the P.A. system.
Nina and I exchange a Look. Mr. Callman, our science teacher, waves me out. I pick up my fish-shaped purse and binder and head for the door.
It's seventh period on Friday, the day after the exit exam. My heart beats wildly. The last six times, Mr. Kingbridge has called me into his office to break the bad news personally. But never so soon! What if they won't let me come back next year? Oh no! Mom and Dad would be so disappointed!
"Hello, Claudia," Mr. Kingbridge says when I walk into his office. He raises his eyebrows. "My, my, my. Miss Kishi, that's quite the top you've got on."
I look down at my fluorescent orange Hawaiian-print bikini top. I thought it was rather clever wearing it with a pleated gray wool skirt (from Janine's closet. I took off nine inches) and a pair of white knee socks. I call the look "Schoolgirl Surprise".
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Kingbridge?"
Mr. Kingbridge smiles. "No use keeping you in suspense. Congratulations, Claudia. You passed."
I passed?
"Come again, sir?"
"You passed eighth grade, Claudia,"
Oh my lord!
"Thank you, Mr. Kingbridge! Thank you so much!"
I run out of the office and into the hallway. Students swarm the halls, pushing toward their lockers, rushing to go home for the weekend. I barrel straight through them.
"I passed! I passed!" I shout when Lucy and Eleanor come into sight. "I passed eighth grade!"
Lucy and Eleanor shriek and jump on me. We link arms and run down the hall and out the front doors. Gabbie and Nina are waiting on the steps.
"I passed! I'm going to high school!"
Nina bursts into tears and hugs me. The others join in. "We're so proud of you, Claudie," Gabbie whispers in my ear.
"Congratulations, Claud,"
I break from the group and turn around. Claire's standing behind me. She looks small and pitiful, the red and angry-looking cold sores around her mouth appearing ready to burst. I open my arms and she runs into them. Boys may come and go, but the BSC is forever!
Reunited, the entire BSC piles into my car. I floor it to Pizza Express, where I eat an entire X-Large pepperoni and sausage pizza all by myself! I even drink three pitchers of root beer! The BSC laughs, cries, and has twelve pizza toasts. Afterward, we cruise through downtown Stoneybrook with the windows rolled down and U4Me blaring on the radio. I wish I could remember the words to the "Pimp and Circumcision" song.
We pass the Taco Bell and I see Jessi Ramsey (who's black) walk out in her assistant manager uniform. I guess the ballet thing didn't work out.
Back at home, I make some phone calls before the BSC meeting. Stacey and Mary Anne cry when I give them the good news. Then, I call Vanessa Pike, Byron Pike, Haley Braddock, the Arnold twins, and James Hobart. I even call Shannon Kilbourne in St. Louis. I assure the secretary that the call is super important, so she pulls Shannon out of a meeting. When Shannon hears that I finally passed eighth grade, she bursts into hysterical laughter. She's so happy for me! Shannon laughs until she's in tears, then we get disconnected somehow.
I consider calling Logan Bruno with the news. He was once an important member of the club. But the BSC swore to never speak to him again after he started dating his sister.
With my calls finished I start mixing a cake to surprise my parents. They'll be so proud! Claudia Kishi, I tell myself, you've finally made it.