Read All About It! Read Free Page B

reporter, it’s an honor to have your work placed there. It was
     shaping up to be a great year for me at the paper.
    Susannah and Mr. Trigg and I were working out everything the curriculum
     story should contain, or as Mr. Trigg said, “hitting all the angles.” I
     learned that at writing camp. To be a good journalist you have to be able to look at
     something from all different angles so you aren’t just reporting on one side of
     the story.
    â€œWhy don’t you talk to two or three parents as part of the
     man-on-the-street interviews, and then call Mrs. Jones to get the PTA’s official
     reaction on it?” suggested Susannah. “Jeff can go withyou and get some shots.” Jeff Perry was the main photographer, and the guy I
     thought would be good for Hailey.
    I nodded and wrote this all on a list in my notebook.
    Mr. Trigg interrupted. “Pardon me, but I think this article is too
     much work for one person to do in ten days.” Part of his job as faculty advisor
     was to make sure our newspaper work didn’t cut too much into our homework and
     sports time. “I think Ms. Martone needs a coreporter.”
    He looked around the group of twelve or so kids who were assembled in
     the newspaper office. “Mr. Lawrence. How about you?”
    My stomach lurched and I looked behind me. Michael Lawrence had come in
     late and hadn’t gotten a seat. He was leaning against the wall with his hands deep
     in the front pockets of his jeans. He never takes notes on anything because he has a
     famously photographic (and apparently DVR-like) memory. Just another reason why I
     worship him.
    Michael nodded at Mr. Trigg, and Trigger said,“Samantha, why don’t you and Mr. Lawrence meet afterward and lay out
     your plan of attack. Equal work, equal time.” I tried to nod casually but I
     thought I might faint. This was a dream come true and a nightmare all rolled into one! I
     looked down at my jeans and shirt and really wished I had borrowed a cute outfit from
     Allie this morning. And by “borrowed” I mean smuggled from her closet
     without her permission, because she would never give it.
    Mr. Trigg had one more big announcement. “Now just a reminder to
     those of you who are returning to the Cherry Valley Voice and
     a notice to all of you who have just signed on. Facts are king in the newsroom. We print
     nothing but the truth, in black and white. Any quotation, any fact, must be
     substantiated. That means you need proof of everything you claim in your
     stories—every statistic, every quotation, everything! Does everyone
     understand?”
    Duh! Facts are my life! I looked around and everyone was nodding. Of
     course! We all love facts. That’s why we’re here! Facts and writing, that
     is.
    Susannah wrapped up the meeting and I gave Jeff
     Perry a few ideas for shots to get around school (the principal, Mr. Pfeiffer; Mrs.
     Jones, the head of the PTA; some teachers and kids). He left, and while the other kids
     milled around the room, I gathered my things and tried to think of something clever to
     say to Michael Lawrence when I met him at the door. But the next thing I knew he was
     tapping me on the shoulder.
    â€œHey, Pasty,” he said. His voice is husky and kind of
     deep.
    I could feel my face turn red and my shoulder almost burned where he had
     touched me. I stood up and turned around quickly, dropping my reporting notebook on the
     floor. Darn it! Why do I have to be so clumsy all the time?
    â€œHey, yourself,” I said, bending over to pick up the
     notebook. I was trying to play it cool. The “Pasty” thing was embarrassing,
     and it was also starting to get a little annoying. I mean, it was eight years ago!
    Michael was smiling at me. “Psyched to get the scoop?” he
     asked, tucking his hands under hisarmpits and rocking on his heels
     a little.
    I didn’t feel nervous as long as we were talking