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Chicago.”

CHAPTER 6
Figuring Things Out
    A fter school Charlie collapsed on her bed and called Amari. She told her about all the things that were strange and different and unsettling about her new school. And how Kelly had talked about her behind her back already.
    Amari was sympathetic. “I’m so sorry you got stuck with that gossipy tour guide,” she said. “She sounds kinda sneaky. Maybe you can avoid her.”
    â€œI’d like to, but she’s in all my classes,” Charlie said glumly. “And she plays soccer, too.”
    â€œIt figures,” said Amari. “Did anything good happen?”
    Charlie tried to pull herself out of her gloomy mood. “I guess theater class was all right.”
    â€œThat’s great! Well, it’s a good start, at least. Right?”
    There was a tiny edge to Amari’s voice that puzzled Charlie at first, but then she realized Amari was probably getting tired of hearing her complain all the time. Charlie didn’t blame her. “Yeah, for sure,” she said sheepishly.
    Soon Amari had to go, and Charlie reluctantly turned tothe piles of homework she had racked up throughout the day. Luckily all but one of her teachers had been lenient on due dates and said she could have extra time if she needed it. That was a relief, but with soccer coming up, Charlie wanted to get as much work out of the way as possible. Besides, what else was she going to do?
    Charlie’s mom came home from work and popped her head in right as Charlie was climbing into bed. “Hey, kiddo!” she said. She put her hand up to cover her yawn. “How was your first day? Everything go okay?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it,” said Charlie grumpily, ignoring the part of herself that did. She wanted to stay mad at her mom for making them move here.
    â€œSounds pretty rough. Are you sure you don’t want to talk it through?” She entered the room and sat down on the edge of Charlie’s bed.
    â€œI already called Amari about everything, and I’m tired. Have you found my soccer stuff?”
    â€œUm . . . when do you need it again?”
    â€œThursday.”
    â€œI’ll look for it,” promised Charlie’s mom. “Want me to tuck you in?”
    Charlie frowned. Her parents rarely did that anymore. “No, that’s okay.”
    â€œAw, come on,” said Mom. “These hands were made for it.” She wiggled her fingers.
    â€œI thought they were made for emergency surgery,” said Charlie drily.
    â€œThat too,” agreed Mom. She straightened the comforter and gave Charlie a questioning look.
    â€œOh, all right,” Charlie said reluctantly. It made her feel like a little kid, but she kind of loved it, too.
    Dr. Wilde smiled. She reached over Charlie to tuck the blankets in on the far side, then secured them on the near side, so she was nice and snug. It made her feel warm and safe.
    When her mom turned out the bedside lamp and kissed Charlie on the forehead and said “I love you, little bunny” like she always used to, Charlie balked. “Mom,” she said. “Enough.”
    Charlie’s mom laughed softly and hugged her through the blankets. “Okay. Good night. Tomorrow will be better.”
    â€œNight, Mom.”
    Mom got up and left the bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. Charlie stared into the darkness after her.
    The next day Charlie navigated her own way to first period. She got there early and found Kelly talking to Maria about soccer tryouts. She joined them.
    â€œCharlotte plays soccer, too,” Kelly said to Maria, raising an eyebrow.
    â€œYep,” said Charlie. She wasn’t sure why Kelly was calling her Charlotte all of a sudden, but it was just one more thing that bothered her about Kelly.
    â€œThat’s fantastic!” said Maria. “We’ll have fun at tryouts.” It looked like she really meant