"Sorry I'm late again," Stephanie said to an annoyed looking Mrs. McCall.

"That's the third time this week," Mrs. McCall said sternly, while placing a big L next to Stephanie's name. "Jenny isn't here today, but you're still late. I'm going to have to send you to detention to catch up on morning work. That'll teach you not to be late next time."

Stephanie took her detention slip from the teacher and glumly began to walk toward the detention room. As Stephanie walked down the long hall, she thought about her best friend, Jenny home sick with the flue. Stephanie hoped Jenny would get better by Halloween, which was on Saturday, but she didn't think Jenny's flue would go away in two days. Stephanie was doing so much thinking, she didn't see Mr. Matthews, the school principal, walking down the hall.

"Why are you wandering around? Go back to class!" Mr. Matthews yelled.

Stephanie tried to swallow down the lump in her throat, but it wouldn't go away. When she finally got rid of it, she murmured," I'm going to detention."

Mr. Matthews looked down at Stephanie. "Aren't you D.J.'s sister?"

Stephanie hated when people asked her that question. Her sister was chosen for morning announcements when she was in Junior High, and everyone in the school knew her personally. "Yes, I am," Stephanie sighed.

"I knew you two looked alike. Well, why were you sent to detention? You look like a bright young girl." the principal was curious.

"Thanks," Stephanie said. Then she remembered Mr. Matthew's question. "I was late three times this week. I guess I talk so much in the hallway, I ..." Then Stephanie thought about Gia, but continued, "don't pay attention to the bell."

"Well run along then," said Mr. Matthews. "You need to get to work."

So Stephanie walked into the detention room, but she knew Mr. Matthews wasn't too mad with her.

She entered the Junior High detention room for the first time, and the first thing she saw was a fat, old man staring at the class. The small room had no desks in the center. There was one desk in each of the four corners of the room, and there were several other desks placed against the wall, so that when you sit down you don't see the rest of the room. She took another quick glance around, and saw Gia sitting in one corner, and a few other boys and girls, but none that she recognized from the back. Suddenly she heard the man's voice., which was rough and loud.

"GO SIT DOWN OVER THERE AND GET TO WORK! WHEN YOU'RE DONE, GO TO YOUR TEACHER AND BRING BACK A SIGNED NOTE THAT SAYS YOU ARE FINISHED. THEN YOU DON'T GOTTA COME BACK TILL NEXT TIME. GOT IT?"

"Yes," Stephanie whispered, her face pale and frightened. She was praying that there wouldn't be a next time. She sat down and got to work, but it was hard for her to concentrate. Once in a while she would turn her head to look at Gia. Gia would stare back. Then the old man who never mentioned his name would yell,"CLOSE YOUR MOUTHS! DO YOU WANT TO STAY HERE THROUGH LUNCH AND RECESS?"

Both girls shook their heads and got back to work. About an hour passed when Stephanie finally finished. She went back to her classroom and handed the workbook to Mrs. McCall. "Nice work," said the teacher, and handed Stephanie a note. She went back to the detention room, but returned to Mrs. McCall again. Then it was time for Science, Stephanie's favorite subject, except for lunch and recess of course.