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Show Fair Forever 73 In Algebra, Mr. Keaston announces that the test tomorrow will be a take-home exam. Luckily, we'll have the weekend to work on it. Katie, who had been anxious and stiff, leans back and exhales, like the heaviest weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Can we get help?" Katie asks, looking my way, Keaston pauses, weighs his answer. "You can get help, but you can't just copy answers. Solve the problems together if you need to, but don't cheat." With that answer, Katie's mood brightens. But she grows somber again as soon. as Mr. Keaston starts posting formulas on the board. The class marches through the safne drill as yesterday. Four problems in chalk. Four students figuring away. Katie stumped, confused, embarrassed. .- "ITfnever get algebra," she moans later at lunch. "I'll flunk and get kicked off the squad." . , ' "Squad4?" I ask. . - - | , ,,' r , "Cheerleading!" Lindley huffs. Her tone is exasperated. Katie peers at me with pleading eyes, like I'm some kind of math genius instead of the sick kid who dropped out of Algebra last year. She asks, "Can we do the exam together?",;. "JV;/''^-; / . _ ' ' . . - " ' '.., -' \ >-., •/- ; /. ^ You'd think I was her only hope. "After school?" . 7 Katie frowns. "Cheerleading practice. Then the gariie." ,J . V "Saturday?" - , , "Ihave the Coastal 5K on Saturday," she sighs, her frown growing deeper. |