Frank

“I just hate math,” said Frank. “Do you like it, Sam?”
“I do,” I said. “It is my best subject.”

My real name is Samantha J. Bruger. I am sitting by Frank. I don’t think it will be fun. I think he will bug me. We are in the first grade, room 21. It is my first day at a new school. My family just moved here from another state. My dad got a new job, and we have to go to a new school.

“Take out your pencil,” Frank said. “It is time for math.”
“It is already on my desk. See?”

He looked at my desk. I was ready. The math book was propped open and the answers were already done.

“Wow,” said Frank. “When did you do that?”
“Just now. It only took two minutes.”
Frank raised his hand. “Ms. Smith, do you think I can sit by Sam all year?” “I don’t know, Frank. A year is a long time. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I think she is real good at math. If I sit by her some of that ‘goodness in math’ might rub off on me!”
I giggled. The teacher giggled. We all giggled. Maybe sitting by Frank wouldn’t be so bad after all.