Leslie never thought she'd have much in common with the kids at her new school. She grew up in Westchester County and likes Sheryl Crow, but she had to move here when her mom died. Losing her mom and losing her home was terrible, and she didn't really have any friends for a cool minute there.
And then one day she ticked off Porscha Johnson. The two girls almost got in a fight, but when Leslie confessed that her mom had died, Porscha said the same thing happened to her mom.
The two became fast friends. Leslie really needed someone to talk to, so Porscha was like a lifesaver.
Open Mike Fridays help, too; it's good to talk to people about things and to get to know other folks. The whole school knows about their class, too. They're called "the poets."
Last month's assignment from Mr. Ward was to write about something that really scared you.
The most terrifying thing in Leslie's life would be being alone.