THIRD PARTY
In the classroom, Shantel walked over to Diamond. “Hello, Diamond,” she called. “Have you done the arithmetic classwork yet?”
“Yes, I have, Shantel,” Diamond replied.
“Can you please show me your answers? I don’t understand some of the questions,” Shantel requested.
Diamond opened her desk locker. “You don’t need to ask, Shantel. You can always have it. I can explain the calculations better to you.”
As Diamond handed over her book, she couldn’t help but notice that Shantel wasn’t her usual cheerful self. There was something odd about her withdrawn demeanor.
“Which of the questions don’t you understand?” she asked gently.
Shantel looked at the classwork and began writing in her own book. “Oh, I think I understand them now. I didn’t get the right question for number three.”
She returned the book to Diamond after making her corrections, but hesitated to walk away, further arousing Diamond’s curiosity.
“Just that? Are you sure?” Diamond asked.
Shantel nodded, carefully avoidin
