Free Sophie’s World by Nancy Rue

gave Sophie a C- and wrote: The grade is a gift for solid improvement. Expect to see more in the future.
    When she handed it to Sophie, Mrs. Utley said to both Fiona and Sophie, “Looks like you’re having some problems in Ms. Quelling’s class.”
    “It isn’t true,” Fiona said. “We don’t cheat.”
    Mrs. Utley surveyed them from within the puffy folds around her eyes. “A little advice then?” she said. “Don’t give anybody a reason to think you do cheat.”
    “Can I still help Sophie in this class?” Fiona said.
    Mrs. Utley wiped her forehead with the side of her hand. “I’m going to let you, at least for the time being.” And then to Sophie’s surprise, she put her plump hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “Just be sure you pay as much attention to me in class as you do to Fiona. Then maybe you won’t need her help so much.” She gave Sophie’s shoulder a warm, damp squeeze. “You’re a smart girl.”
    As the teacher moved slowly off to the next table, Kitty dropped a folded piece of paper in front of Sophie and skittered off.
    “She’s the Corn Pop errand girl,” Fiona whispered. “Don’t open it.”
    “What if it’s an apology note?” Sophie whispered back.
    “Are you insane?” Fiona said. Sophie slipped the note into her backpack. But she forgot about it the minute she climbed into the Suburban after school.
    “How did your day turn out, Dream Girl?” Mama said. “Did you get your C’s?”
    Sophie nodded, although it was hard to even move her head.
    “You don’t seem very happy about it,” Mama said. “This means you’ll get your camera.”
    “Can I go to Dr. Peter today?” Sophie said.
    “Not until tomorrow.” Mama stopped at the stop sign and looked at Sophie. “All right now, you’re scaring me. You look like you just lost your best friend.”
    “I think I’m going to!”
    “Why?” Mama said. She pulled away from the stop sign. Sophie took out the progress report and read Ms. Quelling’s comment out loud. She could hear her voice trailing like a broken strand in a cobweb. Mama all but pulled over onto the side of the road.
    “Sophie,” she said. “What is going on? No, wait till we get home.” Mama put her hand up and pressed the accelerator. She careened into the driveway like a NASCAR driver. Lacie bolted out the front door.
    “Sophie’s social studies teacher called,” she said. “She wants you to bring Sophie straight back to the school—like NOW.”

Nine

    S ophie felt her heart slamming against her chest. It’s over , she thought.
    Everything is over . Mama didn’t even get out of the car. “We have five minutes,” she said to Sophie as the Suburban sent gravel flying. “So start talking.”
    As the neighborhood went by in a blur, Sophie told Mama everything. When they reached the school parking lot, Mama turned off the ignition and faced Sophie squarely across the seat.
    “Look me in the eye,” she said. “Did you and Fiona cheat?”
    “No, ma’am,” Sophie said.
    “All right then,” Mama said. “Let’s get this mess straightened out.”
    Mama looked at least three inches taller as she marched up to the school. It made Sophie lift up her own chin and walk fast to keep up. Seeing Fiona in Ms. Quelling’s room when they got there made her feel even stronger. Fiona was sitting calmly next to Boppa at a table, hands in her lap.
    Boppa stood up until Mama had taken a seat. Ms. Quelling was nowhere around.
    “Are you as fired up about this as I am?” Boppa murmured to Mama. He had a tiny red spot at the top of each cheekbone.
    “I feel like a mother bear,” Mama murmured back.
    Fiona grabbed Sophie’s hand under the table and held on.
    It’s all right, Antoinette tried to say with the squeeze of her hand. Not even a council of Loyalists can take us down. We are the patriots in this battle. And we have the Wise Ones to defend us. We are not alone.
    The door from the hallway opened, and Ms. Quelling bustled in and opened her office