(copy)  Things Are Not Always What You Believe

6th Grade collaborative project with Ms. Blue and Mrs. Dahl.

2020

Patrick Henry Math, Science, Technology Magnet

Antique paper texture

Grey polka dot pattern

By: Emma Onofre 6th Grade collaborative project with Ms. Blue and Mrs. Dahl Patrick Henry Math, Science, Technology Magnet 2020

I walked into the classroom to the teacher’s desk and I introduced myself to Ms. Jonson. “Good morning Ms. Jonson I am Luana Perston.”&nbsp; She responded by pointing at an empty desk in the back of the room and said “ Oh yes you must be the new student you can take the desk over there.” &nbsp;Lisa and I were a bit bummed out since we did not get to sit together but at least we got to be in the same class.&nbsp; After the second bell rang all the other students took their seats and Ms. Jonson exclaimed, “Good morning students, today we have a new student joining our class. Luana, please come up and introduce yourself.” I nervously walked up to the front of the class. I get very nervous when I get too much attention, so I do not like to speak in front of people.&nbsp; Once I got to the front of the class I said nervously, ” Hello my name is Luana Perston. I am from California.” I felt very nervous. &nbsp;I sat down very quickly and my face felt very hot, so my face must be as red as a tomato. The rest of the morning went as a regular class would and It was finally time for lunch.&nbsp; As soon as the lunch bell rang Lisa came straight to my desk and said, “Let’s have lunch together I’ll introduce you to some of my other friends.”&nbsp; When I was leaving the classroom I could hear a girl snickering with her friends. When I got to the school cafeteria I followed Lisa to a small table in the back with 2 people sitting at it. I sat down and Lisa introduced me to Jackson Wang and Yeri Konoski. They were nice people who also liked k pop. By the time lunch ended I knew that we all were going to be very good friends. After lunch ended the day went very smoothly. Mrs. and Ms. Perston agreed to let me walk home and enjoy the scenery, so I invited Lisa to come to my house and work on homework together. We were talking to each other when we heard a voice behind us that sounded familiar. Lisa and I turned around and I immediately it was that girl from class.&nbsp; Soon her voice became clearer and I could understand what she was saying, “Aww look it’s the little orphan.” Lisa and I hurriedly walked away not looking back once.&nbsp; Once we turned the corner onto the Perston farm we slowed down and Lisa reassuringly said, “that was Yoonji Min her mom is the mayor so she thinks she is better than everyone else. Is that true about you being an orphan?”&nbsp;&nbsp; “Yes I am, well I was until the last month. I was adopted by the Perston’s. Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier I was just embarrassed.”&nbsp; &nbsp;We talked until we got to the house, and there Mrs. Perston was waiting for me. She offered us snacks while we did our homework. After we finished homework we just hung out, watched TV, and read books. It soon began to get dark so Lisa needed to go home. My first day of school was not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe I will fit in into this small town after all.

As planned we got to school extra early and we went to the cafeteria. We sat at our usual spot, the small table in the back.&nbsp; Lisa leaned over to me and said quietly, “Ok so I brought with me a small portable camera. My plan is for one of us to create a distraction and the other one will place the mini camera in the back of the classroom where the class materials are.” We perfected our plan all morning and went over it many times so it was time to put it in play. During our math lesson, Lisa stood up from her desk and asked the teacher for the bathroom pass. She planned to create a distraction by pulling the fire alarm so that I could place the camera. Moments after she left the room the fire alarm went off. We all went straight to the door to line up. This is the perfect chance, I grabbed the camera out of my pock, turned it on, and placed it right next to the bookshelf. Mission success! Lisa came bolting into the classroom. She quickly got in line. I could tell that she was trying very hard not to burst into laughter. Once the fire alarm turned off and they found out there was no fire we headed back to class.&nbsp; When it was time for lunch Lisa came bolting to me and said “Did you do it.”&nbsp; “Of course I did. I was so nervous.”&nbsp; We had lunch, as usual, we were very excited to tell Jackson and Yeri what was going on.”&nbsp; Mrs. and Mr. Preston had that meeting today so I was going to be alone at the house for a while. Hopefully, they will straighten things out and we will not have to check the camera. At around 5 o’clock Mrs. and Mr. Preston arrived and I went downstairs to see if they set everything straight.&nbsp; Before I even said anything Mrs. Perston said, “Sorry Luana, your teacher still thinks you stole her things. Tomorrow I will set a meeting with the principal.” &nbsp; I immediately said, “No it’s fine I think I can set things straight tomorrow by myself I have a plan.”

Thing Are Not Always What You Believe

Lisa and I always went into class early to put our backpacks down so once we met up in front of the school we began to walk to class. When we walked into class Ms. Jonson was there sitting at her desk.&nbsp; She said, “Lisa would you give me and Luana a second alone please.” Once Lisa had left the room, Ms.Jonson said, Did you bring them back.”&nbsp; I did not know what to say. She repeated&nbsp;“Did you bring back my things, remember what I said yesterday? If you do not have my belongings back to me by today I will have to have a meeting with your parents.&nbsp; I immediately said, “I did not take anything, please believe me.”&nbsp; Ms. Jonson looked at me with disbelief and said, “I will be setting a time to meet with your parents and you will be expected to go to detention for the rest of the week.”&nbsp; Not knowing how to reply I just said. “Yes, mam.”&nbsp; After she dismissed me from the classroom there was still a long time until school started so Lisa and I headed to the cafeteria like usual.&nbsp; While we were walking there Lisa suddenly said, “So what did you guys talk about in there?”&nbsp; I was very hesitant to say what was going on but since she is my friend I can’t hide anything from her, so I explained all that happened. &nbsp; “Wait, but that can’t be right because all the times that you could have stolen something I was with you. Why don’t you just go back to the classroom and tell her that you didn’t steal anything.”&nbsp; “I already did multiple times,” I exclaimed. &nbsp; “Why don't we go back to the classroom and I will tell her that you didn’t do it.” I tried to tell Lisa that Ms. Jonson was not going to believe her, but she insisted on us going back to the classroom. While we were walking back to the classroom yoongi came to us and said, “So orphan now you are stealing?” &nbsp;I was used to Yoongi’s rude remarks so Lisa and I just walked by ignoring her. We arrived in the classroom and Ms. Jonson was sitting in the same position at her desk, on her computer.&nbsp; “Ms. Jonson,” Lisa exclaimed, “I heard about Luana’s situation and I want you to know that Luana did not steal anything.”&nbsp; Ms. Jonson had finally looked up away from the computer and said to Lisa “I advise you to choose your friends wisely, you really should be careful of who you are trying to defend.” &nbsp; “No Ms. Jonson, I know she did not steal anything.” Lisa continued to defend me.&nbsp; Ms. Jonson looked at us very irritably and said “Well Lisa it looks like you earned yourself some detention too and a meeting with your parents.”&nbsp; We left the room feeling defeated. The rest of the day I could feel the tension between Ms. Jonson and me. After class Lisa and I had detention for 1 hour. During that time we worked on homework. I could tell that Lisa was thinking of a plan to prove to Ms. Jonson that I did not steal anything. Unfortunately, we decided not to hang out after school because we were going to have to explain to our parents what was going on. Later that evening when I got home Mrs. and Mr. Preston were waiting for me at the front porch.&nbsp; Mrs. Person said, “Luana, what is this we are hearing about you stealing?” Without hesitation, I explained to them what was happening. I was tired of people not believing me.&nbsp; With a confused look on Mrs. Perstons face, she said “We know that you didn't steal anything. We will just go to that meeting tomorrow and straighten things out.&nbsp; I was upstairs doing my homework and I heard Ms. Preston said something about me having a phone call from a friend, so I went downstairs. Ms.Perston handed me the phone and said it was Lisa.&nbsp; “Hello,” I said.&nbsp;&nbsp; “Hello, Luana I was thinking of how we could convince Ms. Jonson that you are not stealing and I got a perfect idea but, it's up to you if we should do it.”&nbsp; Without hesitation, I said, “Of course we should, so what is this plan of yours?” &nbsp;“I will bring the supplies we need and tell you tomorrow in class oh and get to school early tomorrow so we can set the thing up, bye.” Without even getting to say goodbye she hung up, so I knew she was excited about this plan of hers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mr. Perston handed me a wadded up 5 dollar bill and said “Get yourself a treat.” After saying “thank you” and taking the money I grabbed my stuff and hopped out of the car.&nbsp; I start to walk to the big oak doors and realize that my hair is such a mess. I locate the map of the school to try to find the nearest girls Restroom. Once I find it, I bolt through the crowded hall towards the restroom. Once I’m in the restroom I go to the nearest unoccupied mirror in an attempt to fix my hair.&nbsp; A tall slender girl approaches me from behind and says “I like your backpack. Do you like BTS too?” &nbsp;“Yes”, I exclaimed. “Sorry, my hair is a mess it didn’t look like this when I left the house.”&nbsp; The girl reaches into her bag and pulls out a brush with a hairpin and says “ Let me help you out with that I am Lalisa Pink but call me Lisa.”&nbsp;&nbsp; “Thank you so much I’m Luana Perston by the way.” After making small talk we found out that we are in the same classroom so once the school bell rang she led me to our classroom room 13.

The next few weeks of school were just as enjoyable as the first day of school. Almost every day Lisa and I would go to each other’s houses. Occasionally Jackson and Yeri would hang out with us too. I was very surprised because I never thought I would have friends like this. On the weekends I would help on the farm not because I had to but because I love animals. Also, because I feel like I owe something to Mrs. and Mr. Perston for doing so much for me. 3 weeks later during lunch, I was called into the principal's office. I was a bit nervous because one I have never met the principal before and two why was I being called into the principal's office!?&nbsp; I opened the door and there sat the Principal Mr. Seok-jin and Mrs. Jonson. As I walked in Mr. Seok-jin pointed at an empty seat beside Ms. Jonson, I sat down nervously.&nbsp; Mr. Seok-jin looked at me very sternly and said, “It has come to my attention that several of Ms.Johnson's Important possessions have disappeared.”&nbsp; My heart immediately dropped. “I don’t understand what you mean, why are you telling me this”, I said nervously.&nbsp; “Well, Luana Ms. Jonson has told me that things from her class started to disappear when you arrived at this school. You have till tomorrow to return the items that you have stolen.’’ He said very seriously. “But I didn’t take anything, This must all be a misunderstanding right”,&nbsp; The entire time I was in the office Mr. Jonson just sat there saying nothing until she said “Luana I did not expect this from you please return my possessions to me by tomorrow or else I will have to get your parents involved. You may go and I will see you after lunch.” In a very stern voice.&nbsp; As the rest of the school day passed all I felt was confusion and I also felt very uneasy because I just thought about what I am going to do. When the day was over I didn’t feel like hanging out with any of my friends, so I went straight home. Mrs. Perston was waiting for me at the front of the house as usual. When she asked me how my day was I said It was very good. I did not want to tell her about what had happened today because I did not want her to get concerned, so I kept it to myself.&nbsp;

I happily sprang out of bed and quickly got ready for the day. I put on my new ironed school uniform, brushed my teeth and hair.&nbsp;As I ran down the stairs I could smell the freshly made biscuits, the crisp bacon, and the buttery farm fresh eggs. I could tell that Mrs. and Mr. Perston were trying very hard to be good parents to me since I was adopted. I have only been living here for about one month, so I am still getting used to the Perston farm.&nbsp; “Good morning Mrs. and Mr. Perston”, I said as I sat down at the kitchen Island. “Good Morning Luana. Ready for your first day of school?”, she placed a large plate of breakfast magic.&nbsp; As I started to eat I realized that I didn't have as much of an appetite as I thought. Hunger was replaced with the first day of school jitters. I took a few last bites and grabbed my new BT21 backpack that was hanging by the door.&nbsp; As I was about to head out the door Mrs. Perston handed me a brown paper bag that had my lunch in it and said “Have a great day at school. Ms. Jonson is one of the most understanding and kind people you are lucky to have as your teacher.” &nbsp;I opened the front door and saw that Mr. Perston was waiting for me in his newly washed red pickup truck. After I said that I could walk to school, he insisted on giving me a ride on his way to town. I am not used to people doing me favors and taking care of me this way, I know they were trying very hard to make me feel welcome. I hopped into the truck and waved goodbye at Mrs. Perston who had an encouraging smile on her face. Mr. Perston drove very fast so fast that my head bonked against the headrest a few times and my cheeks were flapping from the impact of the wind. My once neat braids had come undone and my hair became frizzy. How was I supposed to make a good first impression now? After a crazy 6-minute drive, we arrived at my new school Biden Preparatory School! The school was a large brick building with clear glass windows and a huge oak door.&nbsp;

When I got to school the next day like always Lisa was there I asked her, “So after the meeting with your parents and Ms. Jonson did you get punished.”&nbsp; “No, I just can’t use my Nintendo switch for a week which is not too bad.” &nbsp; “That’s good, since it’s still early I think we should go to the classroom and grab the camera. Ms. Jonson usually arrives at school at around 7:30 and it’s 7:00 right now so let’s go quickly.” &nbsp; When we got into the classroom I quickly got the camera and ran straight to the cafeteria. Lisa took the tools needed to watch the video out of her backpack. Once we watched the video we had finally solved the mystery! It was now 7:38 so Ms. Jonson should be in class. We sprang out of the cafeteria and headed to the classroom. As expected Ms. Jonson was sitting at her desk looking at her computer.&nbsp; Without even knocking we let ourselves in and I said, “Ms. Jonson we solved the mystery look at this footage we got. It’s not me stealing, it’s this cat!”&nbsp; After Ms. Jonson watched the video and said with a surprised look on her face, “ I am so sorry for assuming that you stole all these things.”&nbsp; “It’s ok,”&nbsp; I said.&nbsp;&nbsp; Ms. Jonson said, “How about this, we go and look for that cat. I assume it's somewhere in the yard.”&nbsp; We searched for a good 15 minutes until we found a skinny grey cat under some dead bushes. Along with the cat, we found all of Ms. Jonson’s missing possessions. I was so relieved to clear my name. After everything went back to normal I convinced Mrs. and Mr. Preston to let me adopt the cat which I named Mochi. Hopefully, this is the last of the excitement for this year.

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