Shining Night Read online

  Mr. Fraser’s smile closed just a little and he seemed to lean back on the heels of his nice brown shoes. I could now see all of his shoelaces.

  “Well, of course,” he said. “We can go to my office now or we can just meet right here for a few moments if you’d like.” He pulled his hands out of his pockets, clasped them together, and stretched forward in my direction.

  “Now’s good, sir!” Emma responded quickly.

  Both she and Mr. Fraser looked right at me.

  I took a deep breath and started from the beginning. As I talked I occasionally glanced down at his shoelaces to see what they were doing. When I saw them peek out I could continue with my thoughts and when they disappeared I would quickly move ahead in my ideas and plans.

  I finished with, “Can our school help? I have to do something.”

  Mr. Fraser was smiling. “Well now, Ms. Lena Daniels and friends.” He looked at each of us and nodded. “I agree.”

  I let out a long quiet breath when I heard his words.

  He continued, “We do have to do something.”

  “Yay!” Joey cheered a little.

  “I think you girls have a great idea but planning events like you have in mind is hard . . .”

  “Work.” Emma finished his sentence and giggled.

  “We know. But I know how to work hard, and I know we can do it. So can we do it here? Can our concert be here at the school? Please?” I asked.

  Mr. Fraser bit his bottom lip, smiled, and said, “Yes. I think so. I have a staff meeting this afternoon. I will talk to my team and see what we can do.”

  Mr. Fraser shook each of our hands, including Savannah’s, and left.

  As soon as he turned to walk away Emma, Joey, Savannah, and I collapsed in our chairs and started to giggle uncontrollably until we heard Ms. Blount announce that we only had 10 minutes left before our next class.

  “We better get going, guys!” Savannah encouraged us.

  By the end of the day my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. I tried to remind myself that Mr. Fraser had not officially agreed yet, but something in my heart knew that he would.

  When I told Mom, Dad, and my sisters the news we all cheered and shouted. I was sure to tell them that he had not actually agreed yet but that I was almost certain he would.

  “This calls for a celebration!” Dad insisted.

  “How about donuts for breakfast tomorrow?” Ansley suggested, and we all cheered again.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning Dad kept his word. We woke to a lovely box of chocolate covered and glazed donuts waiting on the kitchen counter. Since I take the school bus Dad wanted to make sure I could still enjoy my favorite breakfast before I left.

  By the time I got to school I was so full of sugar and excitement that I could barely sit still. Thankfully, Ms. Blount did not wait until the end of the day to hand me a white envelope with my full name written across the front.

  “Thank you,” I said and she smiled just enough to let me know there was good news inside the envelope.

  I reached down and slid it into my black notebook. I heard Savannah, Emma, and Joey giggle softly next to me.

  During our first break between classes, we found a quiet corner at the end of the long yellow hall and ripped the letter open.

  My eyes scanned the paper quickly before reading each word aloud to my friends.

  Dear Lena Daniels and Team,

  Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your recent visit to the children’s hospital and about your friend from Peru. I was really touched by you and your friends’ hearts and your ideas to raise the needed funds. We would love for our school to be a part of something so amazing. We have asked Ms. Blount to work with you on this event. She will help you choose a date and coordinate with our staff and any vendors you may need. With her supervision and guidance, I know you will do an amazing job! Ms. Blount is eager to help and ready to set the plan in motion when you are.

  Thank you for inviting our school to be a part of this.

  Sincerely,

  Mr. Fraser

  Emma, Savannah, and Joey cheered and chuckled after every sentence. But Emma could not help but whimper a little when she heard Ms. Blount’s name.

  “This is going to be FANTASTIC!” I shouted and bounced up and down a few times.

  “But Ms. Blount?” I could tell from Emma’s face that she was trying to focus on the bright side but she couldn’t resist vocalizing her concern.

  I had to admit that I understood her hesitation. Ms. Blount was not known for being friendly and helpful to the students. I reminded Emma of the beautiful gift she’d helped them make when I filmed the movie, and that Ms. Blount was the reason having it at the school had even popped into my head.

  Emma smiled and I could see that she was starting to soften up to the idea.

  She let out a full smile when Savannah reread the words, “Ms. Blount is eager to help . . . !”

  The bell rang and we scattered to our next class.

  Before pulling out my math book, I pulled out my black notebook and opened to the back pages with our meeting notes and ideas. I filled the empty space next to the word “place” with the word “school.” Then I placed the ripped envelope with Mr. Fraser’s letter in it on top of the page and closed the book.

  When I heard my teacher begin to talk, I immediately pulled my math book out and opened it. I tried to focus, but the more numbers I heard the more my brain drifted with thoughts of Caroline, Mallory, and T-shirt designs. So I gently slid my notebook from underneath my math book and laid it open on top and started drawing.

  I drew the best T-shirt I could and wrote Caroline’s name in bubble letters. Right next to that I drew another one, but this time instead of bubble letters, I drew swirling lines all around the name. I repeated this same thing, replacing the swirls with flowers, hearts, and stars, until I had a page covered in T-shirt designs.

  I had drifted so far into my own thoughts that I did not hear my math teacher call my name until I felt his hand on the back of my chair.

  “Lena?” He spoke in a firm voice. “What do you have there? Hand it to me, please.”

  He held his hand out. “But . . .” I winced.

  He stood still, with his hand stretched out even further, and I had no choice but to give him my black notebook.

  I was petrified. Not only was I going to be in big trouble with Mom and Dad, but what would Mr. Fraser and Ms. Blount think? Everyone would be so disappointed in me. As I sat through the rest of class I tried to hold back the tears. “God, please don’t let him tell anyone,” I thought to myself over and over again.

  After class I slowly gathered my things, hoping that he would remember to hand my book back. Savannah, Emma, and Joey headed for the door. They turned and waved for me to join them.

  “Sorry, Lena,” Savannah said while Joey patted me on the back.

  “Uhmmmm, Lena?” Emma said wearily. “Isn’t that the same book you journal in?”

  “OH NO!” I cried out. I stopped walking and finally let the tears fall freely. This was even worse than I had originally thought.

  This was the same notebook I took with me to LA while I was filming the movie and on tour. This was the same book I talked to God in. I had told God some pretty personal things, and thinking about my teachers or anyone else reading it made my stomach and head hurt. Not only was I going to be in big trouble, but now I was mortified.

  My friends wrapped their arms around me and squeezed.

  “It will be okay, Lena, I promise,” Emma encouraged.

  “Yeah, it will be,” Joey and Savannah added.

  They walked me to the cafeteria and we took our seats at our normal table.

  Emma tried to make me smile. I appreciated her for trying even though she knew it wouldn’t work. I watched quietly as they ate. The knots in my stomach were taking up so much space in my stomach that there was no room for food.

  “Here he comes,” Joey whispered from across the
table.

  I knew who it was because I saw his shoelaces before I even heard his voice.

  “Lena? Can you come to my office?” Mr. Fraser stood over me.

  I stood up slowly and asked, “Now?”

  “Yes.” He turned and headed toward the doors. With my head down, I followed him.

  As soon as I stepped into Mr. Fraser’s office I spotted my black notebook laying on his desk.

  Before he shut the door, Ms. Blount joined us.

  “Lena,” she started.

  “I am so sorry,” I started before either Mr. Fraser or Ms. Blount could say anything else. “I was just so excited by the news that I couldn’t, well, I mean I was trying, I was just having a really hard time . . .”

  “Lena, let me speak,” Ms. Blount interrupted. “When Mr. Fraser told us about the idea of a fundraiser here at school I was excited to hear that one of our students wanted to take on a task so big. But I was hesitant to agree to help because it is such a huge responsibility.”

  I looked down.

  “But then he told us who the students were that wanted to lead it, and I knew I had to help. Lena, you are one of the most responsible students I know, and your friends too. I love teaching you, and I always know I can count on you to do the right thing.”

  As she talked I looked up. I wanted to smile, but it still felt like I was in trouble. So I held it in.

  “I know what happened in math class today and I am sure it was a mistake. Right?”

  I nodded.

  “We want you to know that working on this event is great, and we are very proud of you, but you have to remember to respect your teachers and the other people around you. Do you understand what I am trying to say?”

  I looked away and thought for a few seconds. I wasn’t sure. I knew that I should not have been drawing T-shirt designs during math class, but I didn’t think I was being disrespectful to my teacher. I was just excited by the news that our school would help and I wanted to get things moving.

  Mr. Fraser took a few steps toward me and said, “As we move forward with helping you to plan this event, we want you to remember that your teachers and your schoolwork are just as important as helping your friends from Peru. It’s not fair to them if you are distracted. We know the doodling in math was a mistake but we want to make sure you understand the importance of what we are saying. Tomorrow you may want to offer an apology to your teacher before math class begins.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said quietly. I knew I had made a mistake and I was grateful that I was not in more trouble than this. I was more than willing to say I was sorry.

  Mr. Fraser reached over to his desk and handed me my black notebook. I didn’t know if he or Ms. Blount had read any of it but there was nothing I could do about that. I was just happy to have it back.

  I clutched my notebook close to my chest with both hands. “Thank you!” I said with a little excitement.

  Mr. Fraser smiled and turned toward Ms. Blount. She was standing straight, with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

  “Ok. Now, since you are both here, you should set a time for your first group planning meeting.”

  As Ms. Blount let her arms fall by her waist my stomach formed little knots. The thought of meeting with her alone frightened me.

  “I think my mom and dad would like to meet too,” I spoke up in a hurry before she could suggest a time.

  “Okay, I will email them to see when they are available. You can talk to the rest of your team—Savannah, Emma, and Joey—and see when a good time might be for them as well.”

  “Okay.”

  “Then we will officially schedule it.” Ms. Blount spoke her last words directly to Mr. Fraser.

  He looked at her and then at me and smiled. “Sounds like a good plan to me!”

  He patted me on the shoulder and dismissed me. “Back to class, Lena.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I said and headed out of his office and down the hall. Lunch was over and it was time to join my friends in Ms. Blount’s class for the rest of the afternoon. As soon as I saw them I flashed a quick smile to let them know everything was going to be fine.

  Emma playfully wiped her hand across her forehead and let out a sigh of relief. Savannah, Joey, and I just chuckled quietly.

  Ms. Blount stood at the front of the room and said, “Okay, class, it’s time to get focused. Let’s get started.”

  Although she was looking straight ahead it felt like she was speaking directly to me. I took my black notebook, placed it in my backpack, and zipped it closed. I was determined to show Ms. Blount and Mr. Fraser that focusing on my classwork would not be a problem.

  Chapter 7

  By the time I finished my last class I was bursting with joy. Emma, Joey, and I spent the bus ride home drawing new shirts and coming up with a few event titles. Emma liked “The Biggest Giver Event” and Joey loved the simple “The Big Event.”

  I knew choosing a title for this was going to be hard so we decided it was best to ask Savannah for ideas too. Something she came up with might be a better one. We all agreed that having her come up with a new one was the best idea of them all.

  I bounced off the bus and ran toward the house. “Mom?” I called out as soon as I burst through the door.

  I didn’t hear Mom but I was greeted by a warm wet tongue as it swiped across my knees.

  “Austin!” I dropped my bags and reached down to play with him. Just a few seconds later, Ashton and Amber joined Austin and me on the floor.

  “Where’s Mom?” I asked my sisters.

  “She’s helping Ansley with her science homework,” Amber said while rustling the hair on Austin’s head.

  I jumped up and ran to find Mom.

  “Mom? Mom? Mom!” I called.

  Mom was sitting on the floor facing Ansley, with a stack of flashcards in her lap.

  “Mom!”

  “Oh, hi, Lena! How was your day?” Mom turned toward me while raising a new card for Ansley.

  “It was great! Mr. Fraser said yes! And Ms. Blount will be helping us.”

  “Oh, wow! That’s great, Lena. I can’t wait to hear more once Ansley and I are done.”

  Ansley smiled at me and turned back to face Mom. Studying was serious business around here sometimes.

  I continued to talk. I spoke a little louder this time to make sure Mom knew how exciting my news was . . . certainly more exciting and way more important than Ansley’s science. “Ms. Blount said she is going to email you so we can all meet. And I created new . . .”

  Mom interrupted me. “Lena, that’s really great. I can’t wait to hear more in a little bit. Let me finish helping Ansley now.” She turned her attention back toward Ansley.

  I stepped a little closer to them both. I just couldn’t wait to tell Mom everything. “But, Mom! Emma, Joey, and I . . .”

  Mom put the flashcard down and looked at me. Her face was very serious, and I knew immediately that she was not happy with my interruptions. “Lena. I am sorry, but you are going to have to wait. Don’t you think you are being a little rude to your sister? Her science test is just as important as your news. I want to talk to you both, but you will have to wait your turn.” Mom’s voice was stern.

  I quietly turned and walked out of the room toward my bedroom. Amber and Ashton followed me.

  “Lena, so Ms. Blount is going to help you?” Ashton asked.

  I nodded.

  “But Lena, aren’t you scared of her?” Amber joined the conversation.

  “No, not really. Well, not that much anymore.” I hurried an answer out before asking them to give me a little time alone. I was feeling a little sad that Mom didn’t want to hear about my plans.

  No one cares, I thought to myself, as I stretched my body across my bed and smashed my face against my pillow. There were so many exciting things to share, decisions to be made, and planning to do, but no one other than my friends and I seemed to really care. The more I thought about it the more frustrated I felt.

  First
, I have to wait all day to do any actual work on the fundraiser, and now I have to wait even longer.

  “Lena?” Dad’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  I raised my head slowly. “Hi, Daddy.”

  “What’s going on? Mom said you had some exciting news and needed to talk.” Dad looked confused.

  I took a deep breath, pulled myself up from the pillow, and told Dad everything. Well, everything except for the conversation with Mr. Fraser and Ms. Blount in the office. I knew I needed to but I wanted to get all the good news out first.

  When I finished, Dad said, “Wow, Lena. This all sounds really great! You have a location and more help! I’ll talk to Mom about the meeting with Ms. Blount. And we need to go ahead and set a date with Mallory now that you actually have a place for this big event!”

  Dad’s enthusiasm was contagious but I could feel my smile starting to fade. “Daddy, there’s more,” I said with less excitement. Then I told him about my doodles and what Ms. Blount and Mr. Fraser had said.

  “Is this why you were sad when I walked in?” he asked.

  “No. Well, sort of.” I paused and thought for a second. “I was just really excited to tell Mom everything.”

  Dad sat quietly and listened.

  “But she was helping Ansley.” I finished talking and I knew I needed to apologize. I had done exactly what Mr. Fraser and Ms. Blount had talked to me about at school. I needed to remember to respect others even though I was really excited about my own plans and ideas. This is going to be hard work in more ways than one.

  “I’ll tell Ansley and Mom that I am sorry.”

  “I think that would be the right thing to do. I’m sure they will appreciate it, and everyone will love to see your T-shirt designs and hear your news!” Dad grinned and told me to come out to the kitchen with everyone else.

  I followed him and joined my family around the kitchen table. Ansley was finished studying and was busy coloring in her new coloring book, and Ashton and Amber were playing a game of tic-tac-toe. Mom was standing in front of the open refrigerator door trying to decide what we should eat for dinner.