Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies. Insert witty comment here.

Mr. Harrison's 4th grade class took a spring field trip to the city aquarium. As we filed one by one from the bus, we were instructed to each choose a "buddy" to stick with for the visit and to stay close to the chaperones. My head spun, looking for her. But before I could reach her, her hand was enclosed in the hand of Tony Higgins. I, instead, ended up with Joey Trallace who seemed to have a constant runny nose (and a constant absence of tissue). He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, and then held it out for me to hold.

I made it a point to stay right behind the two at all times. As the class past through each exhibit, I barely even glanced at the fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other aquatic life forms. I simply watched carefully, like a tiger waiting for its prey to lower its guard, only I was waiting for Tony to leave her side for just a moment, giving me ample time to cut in.

The moment came as we entered the turtle exhibit. Tony whispered something to her, with a sly grin, and then made his way to the water fountain near the restrooms. She stood there alone.

Working up my courage, I walked toward her. Before I was even halfway there, a suspiciously moist hand grabbed mine. "I wanna see Big Bertha!" a whiny voice cried, referring to one of the aquarium's star attractions..

Sighing, impatiently, I told him to go without me. He shook his head. "Mr. Harrison said you have to stick with your buddy!"

I bit my tongue, trying to figure out how to get away from him. My efforts were useless, though, as I saw Tony returning to her. My body went lax and I let myself be dragged toward Big Bertha.

When we came to the penguin exhibit, I dragged Joey to the front of the crowd where she was standing. Her face pressed against the glass (despite disapproving looks from the security guard) she studied the penguins as I studied her.

One of the penguins waddled over to where her face was and lightly tapped his beak against the glass. She smiled and he did it again.

"He's trying to kiss you!" one of the other girls shrieked in delight. The class erupted into giggles, and she puckered her lips and pushed them harder against the glass. The penguin responded by pecking the glass again.

Never in my life did I think I would be so envious of a penguin.