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Meeting Marta

April 9

Dear Diary,
First thing this morning, Ms. Potts told us that a new girl from Argentina would be joining our class. Then she let it slip that this Marta Flores's father was the star of her country's World Cup soccer team.

Oh, great! Just what we need. A stuck-up kid who's been pampered all her life! She probably thinks she's a celebrity like her dad. When Marta walked into the room, we all turned and stared at her. She's sort of pretty, but she was wearing some really weird clothes -- a purple dress and a fancy leather jacket. I was right. With an outfit like that, she must be stuck up!


April 10

Dear Diary,
Today Ms. Potts nearly ruined my life! She sat that Marta Flores in the empty desk right next to mine! Marta spent the whole morning just sitting there. She frowned, she stared straight at the chalkboard, but she never looked at me. I guess she's too special to talk to us ordinary kids!

When the noon bell rang, I went to get my lunch. I guess I must have dropped my math homework, because just before I got to the door, Marta tapped me on the shoulder. She
handed me my homework and said, "Excuse me. This is yours." (Her English isn't very good.) I said a quick "Thanks" and was out the door before she had a chance to say another word.

During lunch time I saw her wandering around the playground by herself. Then, I couldn't believe it, she took five bean bags from her jacket pocket and started to juggle them! She kept the five multicolored bags in the air without dropping them for 15 minutes! What a showoff! Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at her, but she didn't seem to notice any of us. She still had that frown on her lips. I looked away quickly the one time she looked my way.

April 13

Dear Diary,
After lunch today, we got a new math assignment. As usual, I had a hard time keeping all the information straight. I was
gnawing on my pencil when I heard Marta's voice again. "Do you need help?" she asked, pointing to my paper. When I nodded, she pushed her desk next to mine. Then she showed me how she'd made a little drawing of the story problem. The drawing made perfect sense, and I used it to help me figure out the answer. I thanked Marta for her help, and she said, "De nada." I think that means "It was nothing" in Spanish.

This time, before she pushed her desk away, I told her I would meet her after school and show her where to wait for the bus. I think maybe she already knew, but she said, "Okay!" Then I saw her smile for the first time, and she asked me if I wanted to learn how to juggle!

I guess I made a new friend today, and I learned something important, too. Judging people before you get to know them is not smart.

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