"Sabine, I got a C on my English," Annie moaned.
It was the morning break and she was over at Sabine's desk lamenting her English result.
It had been deeply disappointing. The exam paper had appeared to be easy so Annie had not been worried about it. Then on the second week of the new semester, she had received her exam paper. That was when she saw that big red C, which smacked her roughly into the reality of the situation with a good backhand slap.
"I got a C too," Sabine admitted, "I can't help you with that."
"I know," Annie told her, "but I really need help. I don't understand why I got a C."
Sabine adjusted her glasses. "How about asking Saki?"
"Saki?" Annie glanced at the Asian girl seated at the front corner of the class, next to the door. If it were not for Annie, that girl would have been the smallest in class. Annie turned back to Sabine. "Maybe... she did score very well."
"Which is weird," Sabine commented, "she doesn't even speak English at home."
Annie narrowed her eyes and leaned closer. "Sabine, what language do you speak at home?" she asked in a low voice.
"Deutsch, why? ... Oh!" The plump girl blushed.
Annie shook her head slowly. "Right, I'll talk to..." She turned to find that Saki had disappeared from her desk. She looked about the class but the Asian girl was not present.
Maybe Saki had stepped out for a moment and would be back soon. Annie could talk to her then. However, the Asian girl only came back to class at the ring of the bell, just ahead of the teacher.
At lunch time, Saki was the first out the classroom, just behind the teacher. Annie took her lunch with her to the canteen, hoping to find the girl there. Scanning the crowded room, she spotted the Asian seated alone in between two groups of chatting students.
Then she felt someone nudge her arm. "Hey, Annie!"
Annie spun around to find Connie with a tray of food.
"Want to hang out after school one day?" the redhead asked.
"Sorry, I can't," Annie declined, "I've got to get home and study."
"Still studying?" Connie shook her head. "Don't you have time for friends?"
"Listen, I've got to go..." Annie had turned her head to see that Saki was gone. She searched about the canteen but that little girl was nowhere to be found.
That Asian girl was one tough lass to catch.
Connie slid next to her. "How about we eat lunch together, then?"
Annie sighed. "Fine."
They sat opposite each other at one of the tables and started eating. Connie provided all the talk, a lot of it. She was certainly as chatty as Second Sis or Mother. The girl told Annie her very personal observation on whoever she saw in the cafeteria - classmates, other students, teachers, cafeteria staff.
"Hey, you look distracted," the redhead observed.
"Am I?" Annie asked. She had not been paying much attention to Connie's words.
"Yes, you are. What's wrong?"
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