by Julie Hockenberry Hicks

Created on: March 13, 2010

Standing Up to Thunder and Lightning

“I wonder where brace face got her new glasses?” Sarah giggled, bringing her head in closer to the classmates near her. “Those things are huge!”

Pam looked over her shoulder. “The lenses are bigger than the windshield on my mother's mini van.”

Megan grinned while the other girls laughed but didn't find the jokes funny. She looked over at the desk where “brace face” sat. Emily was the new girl in their class. Fortunately, she was engrossed in a book and unaware of being the topic of conversation. Being the only student to wear braces had been reason enough for Megan's two best friends to poke fun at her, but now her usual glasses had been replaced by a larger and outdated pair. The fact they were grape purple didn't help.

“Maybe there was a Barney and friends clearance sale somewhere,” Megan added. She felt horrible joining in, but she wanted to show her friends that she could make a joke too.

“I dare you to go over there and ask her that.” Pam winked.

Sarah nodded toward Emily. “Yeah, Megan, I double dare you.”

Megan suddenly regretted her comment even more. “I don't know.”

“Come on, just to see what she does,” said Sarah, poking at her.

Megan felt her heart pound as she looked back at Emily. She wouldn't hear the end of it from Pam and Sarah if she was too afraid to take their dare. Just as Megan was starting to rise from her desk, the teacher saved her by addressing everyone.

“Alright class, I need all eyes forward and bottoms in your seats, please,” said Mrs. Moon. “Now I know with Thanksgiving coming up in a few days, everyone is already thinking of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.”

“And pumpkin pie!” exclaimed half the class.

“How could I forget the most important part, dessert,” Mrs. Moon laughed. “But today I want us to focus on what we're thankful for. So we're going to take a few minutes to consider that and then share with the class.” She paused and looked around the room with a raised eyebrow. That was never a good sign. “I think many of you have become a little too comfortable with always working with the same people in class so far this year. This will be a good opportunity to get to know your fellow classmates better. I'm going to pair each of you up with someone you've never worked with and I want you to share what you're thankful

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