Mrs. Smith finally made The Big Announcement. Weeks of anticipation led to this moment. Weeks of anticipation for Mia and Stanley, at least. Not everyone was as excited as they were about this year's science fair theme. But that was okay. Their enthusiasm was enough for an entire classroom.
Every year, the school hosted a science fair. Students from every grade could participate as long as they stayed within that year's theme. Last year, the theme had been Geological Wonders. Mia and Stanley had wandered in awe around the rows of poster board. Sure, Mia had displayed a very respectable rock collection, but seeing what the Big Kids put together was enough to get her started thinking about the next school year. Second grade.
"I'm going to make a Big Announcement," said Mrs. Smith. She looked directly at Mia. Mia felt as if Mrs. Smith knew for sure how amazing Mia's project would be. Mrs. Smith then looked at Stanley and gave him a little wink. Then she looked over at the Ruiz twins and smiled broadly. Still, Mia was sure that Mrs. Smith had looked at her a little longer, a little more meaningfully.
Stanley squirmed in his seat. He and Mia had been talking about working together on their science fair project for months. He looked like he might cry with anticipation. Mia had a great idea if the theme had something to do with botany. She had already started small experiments at home with an aloe vera plant. And, Mia knew Stanley had a decent idea if the theme involved the solar system.
Mia leaned forward in her seat as Mrs. Smith yammered on about how important it was to study science. Or something. It was taking a long time to get to the point.
Please let the theme be plants, Mia whispered to herself. She looked over at Stanley who was muttering to himself as well. Okay, plants or planets. Either is okay. Please please please please.
"So I hope you will all enter. Now, onto today's Social Studies lesson."
She missed it. Mia had missed it. She was so busy praying for plants or planets, that she had missed the Big Announcement. She swung her head towards Stanley, who was wiping away a few tears.
"I missed it! What's the theme?"
Stanley looked at her, eyes red. "Not the solar system. That's all that matters."
"Plants?!" Mia still had hope. She had visions of goopy aloe vera juice paving the way to first place.
"We can still work together if ya want," said Stanley.
"PLANTS!"
"No. Not plants. Not the solar system. The theme is The Human Body."
Mia felt like she couldn't breathe. Her chest got tight and her heart beat faster. Her stomach suddenly felt heavy, as if her lungs had sunk right into the depths of her belly. She didn't think she had ever felt such disappointment. By the looks of Stanley, he hadn't either.
Wordlessly, she pulled out her social studies book and stared at the cover. The cover was composed of several small squares, each with a drawing of a historical event. One had a man hammering a large spike into a railroad. Another had a woman with flexed muscles, wearing a red kerchief. Another had an older man saluting an American flag. Mia stared at the pictures. She tried to calm herself down, taking deep breaths, peering into each face on the cover. As she stared, a thought started to form.
"Psssst. Stanley. It's okay. We'll come up with something."
Stanley looked over, trying to avoid getting caught by Mrs. Smith. It was Independent Work time, after all. "Yeah? What?"
"I dunno yet. Something." Mia pointed to the book. "Human bodies are cool. They make history!"
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