Marilyn Kaye - Out of Sight, Out of Mind

The principal wasn't alone.

"Hello, Amanda," Madame said.

Amanda froze.

The principal spoke. "You're being transferred out of Mr. Jones's class. Go with Madame."

"But-"

"Come along, Amanda," Madame said smoothly, and she placed a gentle hand on Amanda's arm. Feeling like she'd just stepped back into a nightmare, Amanda went along with her.

"It's not what you think," she told the teacher frantically. "You're making a mistake."

Madame smiled. "It'll be all right, Amanda. You'll see."

They walked along in silence. "Did you tell Mr. Jackson about Serena?" she asked Madame.

Madame looked at her intently. "It wouldn't make any difference, Amanda. She's disappeared."

"Well, at least she won't be bothering Emily anymore," Amanda said.

Madame smiled again, but this time there was sadness behind the smile. "Hopefully not. But there will always be another Serena."

"There's going to be another student teacher?"

Madame rolled her eyes. "No, I meant there will always be people who want something from my students. You'll have to be ready for that, Amanda. There's always going to be another threat. But I'm here to help you deal with them."

As far as Amanda was concerned, the real threat lay just beyond the door of room 209.

**

They were all there in the gifted classroom-the eight strange students. Charles was still slumped sullenly in his wheelchair. The amnesia boy, Carter, wore the same blank expression. Little Martin was there, and Sarah, and Ken, and so was Emily, still looking dreamy and vague. Tracey watched Amanda with interest, and Jenna had a little grin on her face. Knowing Jenna, Amanda figured it was a "nyah, nyah" smirk.

"Have a seat, Amanda," Madame said, pointing to the empty desk in front of Jenna and next to Ken. "Class, we have a new student. Amanda Beeson."

Ken looked at her in surprise. "What are you doing here? Are you one of us?"

No! Amanda wanted to scream. I'm Amanda Beeson, the coolest girl at Meadowbrook, the Queen of Mean, the girl who has it all!

But there was no point in protesting. The cold, hard truth was evident, and she responded to Ken with a short nod.

She was Amanda Beeson. Another weirdo freak.