It was finally the weekend. Gretel was in Starry's room, reading in the chair. Starry lay on the bed, laptop open.
"Gret, look at this watch." She turned the screen.
Gretel leaned over. "Hmm. Nice. But it's $6,000."
"I don't have a lot saved. You?"
"I've got $4,000. Lucky me. How much do you have?"
"Only $1,610."
"Then you're $1,390 short."
"How am I supposed to get $1,390? Uncle's birthday is a month away."
"Why not get a cheaper watch?"
"No." Starry shut the laptop. "Uncle James got my parents' house back. I want him to know I'm grateful."
Gretel raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Since you're buying Dad an expensive watch… what are you getting me? FYI, I definitely _don't_ want a crisscross necklace. Gold. To be exact." She winked.
Starry rolled her eyes. "I'll find a job. Wait — didn't you say Stacy works at that fast food place? 'Last Degestives'?"
"It's _Fast Degestives_."
"Forget the name. Are they hiring?"
"No. Ask her yourself. She's your friend too. And FYI, they only hire eighteen and up."
"Oh. Right. I forgot." Starry flopped back. "What job _can_ I do?"
"Hmm. Babysitting?"
"That's brilliant. But how will people know I babysit?"
"Don't look at me. I gave you the idea." Gretel got up, grabbed a bag of chips from Starry's drawer, and opened it. "Good luck." She did the heart-finger thing and walked out.
"Traitor! Bring back my chips!"
Starry buried herself under the covers.
---
Monday came too fast. Starry dragged her feet to Prime Rosé High. Gretel walked beside her. Theodore was already at his desk, reading.
Starry dropped into her seat and put her head down.
_What's wrong with her today?_ Theodore thought, but said nothing.
Mr. Blake taught. Starry didn't listen. Theodore noticed. Said nothing.
Lunch bell. Starry stood to leave.
"Starry, can I speak with you?"
"You know you can. We're seatmates and I haven't gotten up." Her voice was sharp.
"What's with the attitude?"
"Is that your question?"
"No." He frowned. "Why are you acting weird? You didn't listen in class. Mr. Blake knows I tutor you. If you fail the next quiz, he'll blame me. So spill. What's your beef? If I can help."
"Oh." She blinked. "That's why you asked."
"What's 'oh'? Answer me."
"Since you asked sincerely…" She told him. Uncle James' birthday. The watch. $1,390 short. Babysitting.
"What's the model?"
She showed him her phone.
"Here."
"Hmm. Silver Rolex Explorer 114270. Nice." He looked almost impressed. "Who knew you had good taste. But why not buy cheaper?"
"Are you going to help me or interrogate me? If not, no thanks." She started to leave.
"Wait. I can help." He stood. "We'll make fliers. Put them up around town. People will know you babysit."
"Do you know how to design a flier?"
"If I wasn't capable, would I suggest it?"
"But do you have—"
"Stop with the questions." He cut her off. "After school. I'll help."
"What about our study session?"
"You're not going to listen anyway. We skip today. Do it tomorrow."
"But you said Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays."
"And you wonder why I call you a dumbass." He grabbed his bag and left.
_That jerk. If I wasn't desperate, I wouldn't take his help. Wish I could kick him in the face. But I can't anymore._
---
The Stunning Trio walked into her classroom. Hansel perched on the desk next to hers.
"Avoiding me, girl?" He touched her hair.
She smacked his hand away. "Leave me alone, jerk."
"Why are you like this? Is it because you're pretty? Other girls would kill to be with me. I'm not even bullying you anymore. You should be grateful."
"Thanks. Now get lost."
"You're playing hard to get, right?"
"You overestimate yourself. Piece of trash."
Garfield was on her in a second. Hand around her neck. Yanking her to her feet.
"How dare you talk to Boss like that, you bitch!" he screamed.
She clawed at his hand. Got it off.
"Who knew you were strong?" Garfield grinned. "Too bad I'm stronger." He raised his hand to slap her.
"Stop."
Theodore and Hansel said it at the same time.
Garfield smirked anyway. Shoved her. She hit the ground.
Hansel and his group left. Theodore followed.
A girl knelt beside Starry. "Are you okay?"
"Yes—ouch!" Starry looked at her elbow. Blood. A lot.
"Let's go to the sick bay. Your cousin isn't here. She'd freak if she saw you like this."
The nurse was busy. They waited. Nurse Ella cleaned the cut, bandaged it.
"How did this happen?"
"She was—" the girl started.
"I fell down the stairs," Starry said, smiling. The girl stared at her.
"What about your neck?" Nurse Ella pointed at the red marks.
"Um…"
"If someone did this, tell the school authorities."
"No one did. I'm fine." Still smiling.
"Okay. I'm Nurse Ella. If you need help, come to me." Ella tossed the bloody cotton and left.
"Starry, why didn't you tell her?" the girl asked.
"What's your name?" Starry deflected.
"Anna McCoy."
"Thanks for helping, Anna. Can you keep this from Gretel?"
"What? She'll hear from class. Why not report those jerks—"
"Star, are you okay?" Gretel burst in, out of breath.
"I'm fine. Made a new friend." Starry smiled.
"Thanks, Anna. Can you give us a minute?"
"Sure." Anna left.
"Why are you so stubborn? We should tell Mom and Dad."
"Gret, don't be ridiculous. I'm fine."
"How can you smile? Let's tell them. You've always been like this. Like when you stayed with Uncle Edward and his wife. I know she mistreated you and you said nothing."
"Why are you bringing that up?"
"Were you born to be a punching bag? You're so annoying." Gretel stormed out, crying.
---
Theodore had Garfield by the collar, slammed against a wall.
"That's enough!" Hansel shouted.
"I told you to stay away from students in my class," Theodore said, voice low.
"I didn't do anything. Gar acted alone. That's why I let you beat him. I just talked to Starry." Hansel was annoyed, not scared.
"Whatever." Theodore dropped Garfield. He hit the ground, out cold.
Arthur ran to him. "What about his injuries?"
"Leave him. Let him learn."
"Treat him when he wakes up." Hansel turned and left.
---
After school, Starry waited by the gate.
"Go home, Starry," Theodore said, packing his bag.
"Aren't you helping?"
"Who said I wasn't? You look like shit. I'll do it myself. Give me your number."
"For what?" She eyed him.
"So I can ask how you want the flier. And put your number on it for customers." He rolled his eyes. "Dumbass."
She took his phone, typed her number. He saved it: _Dumbass_.
"Give me yours."
"Why?"
"So when I text, you won't be confused as usual."
She handed it over. He saved himself as Theodore but she changed it to_Annoying Jerk_. She saw it and grinned.
He left. Anna walked up.
"Hi, new friend."
"Hi, Anna. Going home?"
"Yeah. Walk with me to the bus stop?"
"Sure."
"Star, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Are you and Theodore friends?"
"Honestly? I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I don't know. Sometimes he's… nice. Most of the time he's a jerk. Calls me dumb."
Anna laughed. "Then you're friends."
"Why?"
"Our assistant class president was his friend. He talked to her exactly like that."
"We have an assistant class president?"
"Danetelo Rivers. Danny. Pretty, nice. She's in France. Student exchange. Theo didn't want to go. Don't know why your cousin didn't either."
"Oh. We had… problems at home."
"Oh."
"Where do you live?"
"Shallow Street."
"That's my street too."
"Good." They smiled.
Bus came. They rode, exchanged numbers. Starry pulled her sweater sleeves down to hide the bandage.
---
Starry knocked on Gretel's door later. "Can I come in?"
"Do what you want. You will anyway."
Starry went in with chips. "Peace offering."
Gretel was on her bed. Sat up. "What's wrong with you?"
"Gret, stop screaming."
"How can you be like this? My heart bleeds for you and you act unaffected." Tears. Again.
Starry hugged her. "Don't cry or I'll cry too."
"Let's tell Mom and Dad."
"Okay. I promise. If they bother me again, I'll tell."
Gretel shoved her. "You're so annoying."
"That's why you love me." Starry grinned as Gretel stole the chips.
Starry told her about Theo and the fliers.
"Hmm. Did he text?"
"No."
"Okay. Dinner."
After dinner, Starry did homework. Phone buzzed. _Annoying Jerk_: _Send me an outline for the flier._
She typed:
_Babysitting_
_Starry Knight – Prime Rosé High_
_CPR trained_
_Can help with homework_
_Weekends + after 5pm_
_$15/hour_
_My number: (555) 019-3412_
Hit send. Kept working.
Shower. Bed. Phone buzzed again. _Annoying Jerk_: _Done._
[Image attached]
*BABYSITTER FOR HIRE*
*Starry Knight – Prime Rosé High Student*
*- Reliable & Responsible*
*- CPR Trained* – Certificate available
*- Homework Help Included* – Math, Science, English
*- Light Meals & Bedtime Stories* – No extra charge
*Hours:* Weekends + Weeknights after 5 PM
*Rate:* $15/hour – Minimum 2 hours
*Ages:* 3 – 12 years old
*Location:* Shallow Street area – Will travel within 3 miles
References from teachers available upon request.
*Call or Text Starry:* (555) 019-3412
_Background checked. Prime Rosé High honor student._
_"Your kids are my responsibility."_
She stared at it. He'd used her notes, cleaned them up, and added _"Your kids are my responsibility."_
He used _his_ line. For _her_ job.
She typed: _Thanks, my little helper :)_
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
_Annoying Jerk_: _Delete that. Now._
_Annoying Jerk_: _I'm not little._
_Annoying Jerk_: _I'm not your helper._
She didn't reply. Put the phone down. Smiled at the ceiling. Slept.
---
Next morning. Bus stop. Anna waved.
"Hi!" Starry and Gretel said together.
School. Theodore was there already.
Starry sat. "Good morning, friend." Smile.
"Don't smile at me." He shoved a stack of fliers at her. "Here. This is why you're nice."
"Thanks, friend." She smiled brighter. He stared.
"Don't smile like that at other people."
"Why?"
"They'll die of shock."
"Humph. I'll smile how I want." She stuck her tongue out. He almost smiled. Caught himself.
"Did you just smile?" she gasped.
"In your dreams." He turned away. And smiled.
Other students filed in. Then a woman.
"Miss Simmons!" the class cheered.
"Hello, babies. I'm back." She was stunning. Calm. Safe.
"We missed you, Miss Simmons!"
"I missed you too. I see we have a new student." Eyes on Starry.
Starry stood. "Good day, Miss Simmons. I'm Starry Knight."
"Oh, I remember. I filed your papers. If anything bothers you, come to me, darling." Wink.
After she left: "Is she our form teacher?" Starry asked Theodore.
"No. She's my elder sister. You always ask stupid questions."
"Hey, don't insult me. She's amazing. I like her."
"Everyone likes Miss Simmons. You're not special."
"Theodore, has anyone told you you're annoying?"
"No. No one has."
"Let me be the first. You're very annoying."
"Where'd you get the guts to talk to me like that?"
"From this." She flicked his forehead and turned.
He stared. Shocked. She laughed at his face.
---
Lunch. Four girls, one table. Garfield walked up. Black eye. Bandages.
"Starry, I'm sorry." Said it fast. Left faster.
"What?" Starry.
Gretel's spoon fell. Stacy's mouth hung open. Anna spat her drink.
"Let's leave before it gets weirder," Stacy said.
"Look. Goosebumps." Anna showed her arm.
---
After school. "I can help pass the fliers," Theodore said.
"Really?"
"If I didn't want to, I wouldn't offer. My bike."
"Okay. Thanks."
She told the girls bye. Met him at his bike. He handed her a helmet. Put his on. Got on.
She put hers on, climbed behind him, hands on his backpack. "Let's go."
They rode. Posted fliers. Store windows. Community boards. Light poles.
Done. "Address," he said.
She gave it. He drove her home.
She got off, handed the helmet back. "Thanks, Theodore. I'll remember this." Smile. Big. Real.
He smiled back. She pulled out her phone. Click.
He snapped out of it at the flash. "What did you do?"
"Took a picture of my friend. He smiled brightly for the first time."
"Let me see."
"No. You'll delete it. Bye." She ran inside.
He stood there. Stunned.
She came back. "You should smile often. It suits you." Smiled again. Gone.
Inside, Stacy and Anna stared.
"Congrats, Star," Stacy said.
"What?"
"You're the first girl to sit on that bike," Stacy said.
"First person except Theodore," Gretel corrected, walking in with chips and dip.
"Hmm. What conspiracy is this?"
"We're having a sleepover," Anna said, turning on the TV.
"I'll be right back."
Shower. Lilac pajamas. Lilac pillow.
"I never knew lilac was your favorite," Stacy said.
"I knew," Anna said, eating chips.
They talked. Laughed. Night went late.