Free Lone Bean by Chudney Ross

building. I sloshed out of the puddle, feeling terrible. The bell rang and everyone started filing off the playground. Tanisha grabbed my arm again and pulled me so fast that my soaking wet feet barely touched the ground.
    â€œWhere are we going?” I said, running to try and keep up. If I didn’t, she probably would’ve dragged me right across the cement.
    â€œI have a plan, but we’ve gotta hurry.” Tanisha dragged me through the red door.
    â€œThis is the big plan? To get into the building first?”
    â€œNo, silly! We’re gonna hide behind the door and . . .” Just as Tanisha was explaining her plan, someone pushed the door and slam! Tanisha shoved it back as hard as she could. I could hear the sound of the door hitting someone.
    â€œHa! We got ’em good!” She laughed. But I didn’t because I could hear crying from the other side of the door.
    I slowly opened the door to see the damage. A girl was lying on the floor covering her face. She looked up at me with blood dripping from her nose and tears in her eyes. Oh, no! It was Carla.
    â€œYou’re bleeding!” I cried in shock.
    Sam pointed at me and yelled, “Bean, what did you do?”
    Ms. Sullivan came running to see what all the commotion was.
    â€œWhat’s your problem? That was really mean!” Sam barked at me with fire in her eyes.
    â€œIt wasn’t me!” I swore.
    â€œWhat happened?” Ms. Sullivan asked.
    Before I could say a word, Sam told Ms. Sullivan, “Bean slammed the door as we were coming in and it hit Carla in the face and she did it on purpose!”
    â€œBean, go straight to the principal’s office,” said Ms. Sullivan angrily as she led Carla to the nurse’s office with Sam following. “This is unacceptable behavior and I will not stand for it.”
    When I was all alone, Tanisha popped her stupid head around the corner.
    â€œAre they gone?” she said.
    â€œYou have to tell them you did it!” I cried.
    â€œI’m not the one who got caught. You were,” Tanisha said. She leaned against the wall like it was no big deal.
    I was so fuming mad that I wanted to scream.

Chapter 11
Grounded
    â€œS it down by Mr. Bloodsoe’s door,” Ms. Gloria said without a smile.
    This wasn’t the Ms. Gloria I knew, but I guess I seemed like a very different Bean to her too.
    I flopped into the chair and waited for Mr. Bloodsoe. I couldn’t stop shaking. Mr. Bloodsoe is scary. He’s so hairy that even his neck is covered. His eyes bulge out of his skull and his teeth are pointy like daggers. He looks like an ogre who lives in a cave.
    Creeeak! The door to his office slowly opened. I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t scream as he lumbered toward me.
    â€œThis way,” growled Mr. Bloodsoe. He motioned with his big, thick, hairy arm. He walked into the office behind me and sat at his huge, messy desk.
    â€œIt wasn’t . . . um . . . I didn’t . . . This is all a big mistake. I promise to be good and . . . um . . . I won’t be bad anymore,” I stammered. Then I smiled my warmest please-forgive-me smile.
    â€œIf you didn’t do it, then who did?” he growled.
    I zipped my lips because I knew I couldn’t tattle. Tanisha would kill me for sure.
    â€œThis is not like you, Chrysanthemum. We’ve never had any problems with you before.”
    â€œAnd you won’t ever have any again. I promise I’ll be good and I’ll listen and I’ll . . .” I kept babbling on, but I stopped short when Mr. Bloodsoe picked up the phone. Was he gonna call security to haul me away? The cops to arrest me?
    â€œI’m going to have to call your parents,” he said.
    Oh no! That was even worse. Tears started to creep into my eyes as he pressed one number at a time. I hoped and hoped and hoped that no one would answer, but no luck.
    â€œHello, Mr. Gibson, sir. This is Mr. Bloodsoe from