5:30 AM

Abby (or Abigail) was in a deep sleep having a nightmare. She was in a whirl wind with math symbols floating around her — subtraction, addition, multiplication, division, and pie symbols were every which way. Then when she thought it was all over, Abby fell into a hole, she fell to the ground then she found herself on a giant desk being chased by a giant language arts book that said “Verbs nouns adjectives pronouns adverbs!”

“No!” Abby screamed “If this is how school is going to be, then I’m not going.” Then she fell of the desk. As soon as she was going to hit the floor, she woke up in the nick of time. Abby shot up “it was just a dream” she said clutching her favorite stuffed lamb, Luna. Today was 9-year-old Abby’s first day of school and it really was her first all her life until third grade she had been home schooled. Her mom, Mrs. Perce, had been her teacher but since she got a job last summer things have turned around. Now Abby would be going to the Frankfort Louisiana School, and she was not that happy about it. Abby looked at her alarm clock, it was 5:30. She had gotten up 30 min early. She hoped out of bed checking if anyone was awake. She glanced at dog Isabelle’s “Lucky Isabelle” she thought “she doesn’t have to worry about school.” Abby looked in her parents room in her bedroom. Mrs. Perse was sleeping on the bed, and Mr. Perse was asleep at his desk snoring like a chainsaw. Abby often thought that he worked too hard. Sarah went back to her room, it was 5:45 there was nothing to do but get ready for school. She picked up her new backpack that she had just gotten yesterday. Abby had picked out one that was pink with green stars on it with an inscription that said enthusiastic to learn but to tell you the truth Abby wasn’t really that enthusiastic. Even though Abby was nervous about school there was one thing that comforted her. For her fifth birthday her grandmother gave her a locket with no chain. Abby thought it was a mirror but instead inside it there was a message that said you are loved dearly so every time Abby felt afraid or nervous she would read her locket and that would make her feel better and give her courage. Abby put her locket in her backpack then went downstairs to the kitchen and made a cheese sandwich. She was tempted to take a bite but held it back and put it in her lunch box which looked just like her backpack. The Abby also gathered some baby carrots, an apple, and a box of passion fruit juice. After she was done Abby put her backpack and lunch box by the door. Then Abby heard a faint ring “my alarm” and ran upstairs. After she turned it off Abby changed her clothes, brushed her teeth, and combed her hair. By that time everyone was awake. As soon as the family had family worship and breakfast the school bus was there. Abby hopped into the bus and took a seat. The bus was bustling with activity. Kids of all ages were talking about their summer vacation and how much fun they had. Abby slipped her hand in her pocket and took her slender locket reading it over and over. A boy who behind her peeked over his seat and on to hers

“Little girl may I see your baby toy” he said in a mocking voice.

“Are you talking to me” Abby said turning around and facing the boy he was bigger than her and his smug face made her a bit nervous but did all she could not to show it.

“Of course, I’m talking to you little girl” the boy scoffed. Abby did not like being called a little girl and she was going to prove it.

“First of all,” she began “I am not a little girl little boy second no you may not see my locket third I am not afraid to defend myself so watch out. Abby struck a fighting pose “I know taekwondo.” The kids in the bus started cheering “Hooray!” they shouted, “finally someone stood up to him!” the older boy looked at Abby in the eye “I’ll deal with you later.” he said in a gruffy voice. Abby sat down and she didn’t imagine she was that aggressive, but she did feel better about bullies