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Everything changed the day of the Booger. It was an ordinary day, I hadn't been pinched in almost two weeks and I was starting to think there must be a lot of nerdier kids to pinch than me.

It happened during English class. Ms. Penny was reading a story out loud to us. It was so boring. I was daydreaming about a new computer game that Matt had told me about. I had played it last night and it was so cool. Matt said he was going to help me with it tonight so I could figure out how to get my guy stuff like weapons to fight the bad guys with.

I felt something in my nose, one minute nothing and then the next if felt like the whole side of my face was plugged up. I breathed in, then out. I sniffed but nothing was working. I rubbed the side of my nose and I felt it move around in there. Without thinking, I stuck my finger up my nose. When I pulled it out there was the biggest, wettest, grossest booger ever on it! It was the size of the marble! I swear there was a piece of brain attached to it. I stared at it, horrified. I cannot believe that thing came out of my face. After a few minutes I realized I had a bigger problem. Where do I put it?

There was no way I could wipe that on my pants and nobody notice. The closest Kleenex was on Ms. Penny's desk. What do I do? I wiped it under the desk, relieved that I found the solution. I finally looked around me. If I had earlier I might have noticed how quiet it had gotten. Everyone was staring at me, even Ms. Penny. Then they all began to laugh.

"Hey Kelly, how many boogers you keepin' under there?"

"Gross, Oh My God, you are so gross!"

Ms. Penny pulled a Kleenex out of her box and walked over to me.

"Kelly, please clean that up and throw it away. Then you may go to the bathroom to compose yourself."

She knew what was coming even before I did. I couldn't help it. I felt hot all over and my face was on fire. I was sweating buckets and I did the only thing I could do.

I cried.

I guess the news spread pretty quick about what happened and the pinching got really bad after that. Everywhere I went, quick little pinches on my back and my arms. I did not think I was going to make it till the end of the day but it came sneaking up like it always does.

I was trying to hold back the tears as I walked home. Max caught up with me after a few blocks.

"Hey Kelly, you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, great. No problem." I think he could tell I was trying not to cry.

"Look, just don't cry in front of anyone. Keep your head down and be tough. They'll stop it, they always do and go on to someone else."

That was really comforting.

Learn more about this author, Marsha Sigman.
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