A dance at school! I've never been to a dance in my life! I wonder what it is like. . .

But I didn't care much about it. I am not obsessed about dances and dates and stuff like that like other girls are. I don't even know if I am going to go.

"Hey, Skye!" Caitlin ran up to me. I waved.

"Did you hear about the dance?" she asked. I nodded.

"Are you going with anyone?" Caitlin asked. I wrinkled my nose.

"No! I'm not a teenager like you yet," I answered. Caitlin laughed.

"Silly! You don't have to be a teenager to go to a dance with anyone," she said. I frowned.

I'm still not going," I said definitely.

"Have it your way," she answered. "I have to go to class," said Caitlin, walking away.

I did the same. I skipped down the hallways, heading toward Math class. Along the way, I ran into Dustin.

What is he doing here? He has class with the eighth graders - and that is nearly across campus!

"Hey, Skye," greeted Dustin. I gave a weak smile.

Was he stalking me or something?

"Uh, hey Dustin," I said. When I talked to him, he beamed. Weird . . .

"Uh...Skye? Have you heard about the dance?" he asked.

"Yeah," I answered.

The bell rang.

"Well, bye Dustin," I said, running toward class.

It was not that I didn't like Dustin, it was just that I had a life of my own! He was always with me! I couldn't stand it!

That night I thought about mom. I had pinned my sketch of her to the wall next to my bed. That way, every night I could say goodnight to her. But it made me weep.

I felt like I was all alone. No understood me. No one felt my pain. Except my brother and sisters. If only they could settle their differences. April acted all misunderstood. Caitlin was the shy one. Danny always kept his feelings hidden. And I am the pipsqueak.

I needed to bring us together. But how?

The next day I did something I never felt possible.

I set April up.

I noticed that the dance was lacking entertainment. They wanted someone to perform. So I signed April up to sing.

I felt evil. I was signing my sister up for something she never would agree to. But I had a plan: I would not tell April until the night of the dance. Then she would be called up to sing. She would have no choice. Unless she refused to. But she would not do something that crazy...would she?

But something in my gut told me I was heading for trouble. I ignored it. This was the opportunity for April to show off her talent! What was wrong?

"Hey, Skye," said Dustin as I walked down the hall.

"Hey, Dustin," I said weakly.

"Hey, Skye," said Dustin as I walked out of class.

"Hey, Dustin," I answered meekly.

"Hey, Skye," said Dustin as I took a sip of water from the water fountain.

"Hey, Dustin," I responded, annoyed.

"Hey, Skye."

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"