Free Lone Bean by Chudney Ross Page A

Coliseum Elementary. I have Chrysanthemum here in my office. She has been giving her teacher some problems.”
    I buried my face in my hands.
    â€œYes, Ms. Sullivan said that she’s been throwing things and talking back in class, and today, a little girl was hurt badly because of her mischief.”
    He had it all wrong! None of this was my fault.
    â€œThank you, sir. I am sure you will,” Mr. Bloodsoe said as he hung up the phone and turned to me. “If Ms. Sullivan has any more problems with you, there are going to be some serious consequences, Chrysanthemum. Do you understand?”
    I didn’t think this was a good time to tell him that my name is actually Bean. Instead, I nodded and said, “Yes, sir. I will be a good girl. I promise.”
    The minute he stood up, I rushed out of the office. I was too embarrassed to look at Ms. Gloria. I headed right back to class. Ms. Sullivan gave me an angry glare as I slid into my seat.
    I felt really, really superbad when I saw that Carla’s seat was empty. I looked over at Terrible Tanisha and she was smiling to herself. She was definitely not going to be my friend anymore. I would rather be alone forever.
    I made it through the rest of the day without even opening my mouth. When the bell finally rang, I lined up and tried to be invisible as the class walked to the playground.
    â€œBean, may I speak to you for a second?” Ms. Sullivan asked before I could make it over to Rose, who was waiting by the fence.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” I said, trying to be as polite as I could.
    â€œI would like you to think about your behavior and how it affects others. Carla got hurt today.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œAnd you will have to stay in for recess for the rest of the week,” she added.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” I agreed, even though it made me really sad. I said good-bye and headed over to Rose.
    â€œWhat was all that about, Bean?” she asked. “Ms. Sullivan looked upset.”
    â€œTanisha slammed Carla with the door and she got really hurt. They blamed me and I got in big trouble.”
    Tears started rolling down my cheeks again. I tried to hold them in my eyes, but it was no use. Rose put her arm around my shoulder. I must have really looked upset, because even Gardenia didn’t make fun of me as we walked home.
    I slowed to a snail’s crawl as I spotted the house up ahead. I didn’t wanna face Dad. When we got there, Rose swung the door open and I crept in, snuck to the computer, and plopped myself down. I needed to email Tanya, but before I could even log on, Dad came down the stairs.
    â€œNo computer!” he barked.
    I couldn’t even get a word out before he was shuffling me up the stairs and into my room.
    â€œNo TV and no playing outside. We will talk about this when your mother gets home,” Dad said. He shut the door, and he didn’t leave it open a crack like he usually does.
    I dropped my backpack and sprawled across my bed. I couldn’t stop thinking about poor Carla. I hoped her nose wasn’t broken. What if she had to go to the hospital? What if my mom saw her there?
    My head was spinning, but I finally finished my homework. Then I braided my doll’s hair, stared at the wall, and flipped through my Ramona book. I could hear Rose and her friend Gina playing hopscotch outside. I wished I could go out and play with them, even though they wouldn’t have let me anyway.
    I could hear Gardenia practicing her flute downstairs. That’s it! Maybe I could practice my violin to keep my mind off things. Dad had taught me the scales, and I could almost get through them without screeching. I took my violin out and started playing the notes over and over and over again.
    â€œDad told me to deliver this to you,” Rose said as she placed a tray on the table next to my bed. Chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese— yum! But not so yummy when you have to eat it all