Faire Exchange: Chapter 27

Halley joins in the fight.

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The pasta splattered in Rina's face just as Halley finished paying for lunch.

Halley stood still. Nobody else in the cafeteria moved, either—not Rina, not the other kids, and not Paul's sister, who threw the spaghetti. Nobody could believe it had happened. They all seemed to be waiting to be told what to do next.

But then a pile of rice and vegetables exploded on Rina's arm. It had come from a mop-topped boy Halley had seen sitting with Rina before. Even he seemed surprised by what he'd done.

More food struck Rina—a sandwich here, a bundle of greens there. Sauces splattered on her shoulders. Noodles whipped into her hair. Slices of fruit bounced off her arms. Why wasn't she fighting back? She could stop this at any time! Just one spell, that's all she'd need!

Some of the third-graders even began attacking the fifth-graders. Halley herself took a hunk of her spaghetti and chucked it at Paul's sister. She responded by flicking some sauce back at her.

A whistle screeched. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"

Mr. Newell stormed through the cafeteria, blowing the whistle yet again, until the food stopped flying. Halley scurried off to find a seat with her friends.

"Are you through?" he said. "Really through?"

Everyone sat down.

All the fifth-graders' faces now looked like a grim, cloudy day. As far as Halley was concerned, everything would be just fine as long as Mr. Newell focused on them.

But where was Rina?

Mr. Newell paced back and forth in front of the fifth grade tables. "Just… can someone tell me why there is a massive pile of food on the floor in front of me?"

Halley, Jamaica, Nelia, and Terry were watching Mr. Newell with deep suspense.

"And ganging up on an exchange student, to boot. I—I know she's been difficult. I know she hasn't exactly returned our welcome."

Halley tapped Nelia on the shoulder. "Hey, did you see where Rina went?"

Nelia shook her head.

"You realize this is bigger than you, right?" Mr. Newell continued. "This isn't just about a difficult student! This is supposed to be a chance to learn about our different cultures! To bring two whole worlds together! And you do what, pelt her with food?"

Halley tapped Terry Broils next. "You didn't see where she went, did you?"

"Nuh uh. I blinked, and then she was gone."

"And now she's run off, probably scared and crying, because you couldn't find a peaceful solution." Mr. Newell paused. He took out his cell phone. "Yes?"

It must be important, Halley thought, for Mr. Newell to take it right in the middle of yelling at everybody.

"She's all the way there? Already?" He nodded, then his face turned grave. "Oh. I see. Let me check." He waved Mrs. Horn up and whispered to her. She shook her head. "No, her teacher never got it. Thank you. I greatly apologize. I'm speaking to my students now. Goodbye." He hung up. "That was the caretaker at the home where Rina is staying. He said she was wearing the bracelet we were supposed to have from the beginning to suppress her magic if she ever got in trouble. So who put it on her? Is that what happened? One of you got your hands on it and decided to use it yourself? And then you throw a food fight just to kick her while she's down?"

Halley turned to the next table. "Paul, your sister's the one who started it, you know."

"Excuse me, third grade," Mr. Newell said. "Right now there is no talking."

Halley clammed up, but still left Paul with a fierce glare.

Mr. Newell returned his attention to the fifth graders. "I assure you, your parents or guardians will be hearing about this. After lunch, you're going straight back to your classrooms. Forget about recess. I'll be working on a letter to send home with all of you. Go on and finish eating."

And he stalked off in disgust, leaving the cafeteria in silence. Nobody, at least not in fifth grade, seemed to have much appetite left.

Halley didn't have much spaghetti.