June 2013 Issue - Cape Cod Academy

Dragons in the SchoolyardI looked around, shocked and bewildered that someone had dared tointerrupt us. No one could figure out who the voice had come from untilseconds later when it exploded again. And it came out of Alice.“What is your problem?” she screamed at me. Passive Alice, whofollowed me around the schoolyard. “You meanie…All you do is makefun of people and push them around! And you,” she sneered at Jada, “youjust sit there and watch until it’s your turn or you can swoop in and savethe day. Why so selfish?” I couldn’t believe it - all this from Alice, whotaught kids to swing while we plowed our way from argument toargument. She shoved Jada in the chest, causing her to stumble backwardin a similar haze as mine. “I wanted to be your friend, you know, but allyou want is to fight! Ughhh! You’re all so stuuuupid!” As she moved inagain, it looked like Alice was going to slap her.Somehow, in the midst of all this chaos, I managed to find myvoice. Somehow, I think I was the one who surprised us most. “Alice,” Isaid, and she whirled towards me. “Alice, don’t be mad at Jada. It’s nother fault; it’s mine.” I sighed. Jada’s piercing eyes grew evermoreconfused. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone after you. I shouldn’t havegone after anyone. Can we… still be friends?”Alice looked dumbfounded but was smiling, so I took that as a yes.Jada watched me with a conflicted look part perplexity, partrealization, and part denial (but mostly perplexity). Ooh, I thoughtawkwardly, that’s gonna be a no, but instead she smiled a little, too, andsaid yes.