I knew that this was the stupidest, most reckless thing I had done yet. But it was too late now. The exam paper was inside my folder, and I was walking out of the classroom at high speed, feeling my pulse pump super-fast.

Kate was waiting for me outside the library. “Did you get it?” She was probing me with her choc-brown eyes. I feigned sadness, then tapped my folder with two fingers. “Yes! But how did you…”
“It was easy,” I whispered. “I just gave her a sob story about needing extra work!” Kate was grinning wildly and I started to feel giddy with anticipation. This was it. I was finally in! After weeks of stupid tasks and demands, I was going to be in Kate’s gang. I’d have people to sit with at lunch time. I’d have friends to see on weekends and hang with after school. Suddenly, it was all worth it. The stealing, the lying, the humiliation. It was all behind me… until Kate opened her mouth.

“So tonight. Meet me at the mall. Let’s see if you’ve got the balls for a little five-fingered discount!”