“There’s one more thing I need to tell you before you leave today,” Miss Nell said in a voice that was loud enough to be heard over the commotion of her students packing up for the day. “Tomorrow we will have a new friend in our classroom!”

A new friend! Immediately everyone started thinking things like-“How could there be a new friend at school? Would the new student be a boy or a girl? Why were they coming to school now instead of at the beginning when everyone else started? What if they don’t like me?”

Everyone forgot about lining up; there was too much to talk about! Katie said, “Well, even if the new friend is a girl, I’m sure she won’t be prettier than me.” When no one answered her, Katie became a little unsure of herself. She then hesitantly said to Miss Nell, “Do you think she’ll be prettier than me?” Brian cut in and said, “Maybe the new kid is a boy, Katie!” Katie pulled on Miss Nell’s sleeve and said, “Tell us! Tell us! Is our new friend a boy or a girl?” Miss Nell laughed and said, “I can’t tell you. You just have to wait until tomorrow!” Everyone moaned and said, “That’s not fair!”

“Miss Nell,” Miranda asked, “I’m really good at helping, can I be the one to show the new friend how we do everything?” Before Miss Nell could answer, Jerome said, “But if it’s a boy, it would be better if I were his buddy the first day, right, Miss Nell?” “Please pick me, Miss Nell, please!” Miranda begged her teacher.

No one saw Aleisha’s stricken face as she realized the very scary possibility that Miranda might not be her best friend anymore. She thought, “What if Miranda likes the new girl better than me?” Just thinking about it upset her so much that she almost started to cry.

“Good bye, see you tomorrow!” Miss Nell called to her students as they headed down the hallway. She couldn’t help but smile as she heard them chattering about the new friend they would meet tomorrow.

Jerome said, “I can’t believe my mom didn’t tell me there was going to be a new kid in our class!” Tyler said, “Well, maybe she was worried that you couldn’t keep a secret.”
Jerome seemed shocked by that and said, “Does your mom ever do that?” Tyler laughed and nodded his head and said, “All the time. My mom never tells me anything, she always surprises me. Plus, she says, I can’t keep a secret.” “Is she right?” Tyler laughed again and said, “Pretty much!”

Even at home, all any of them could think about was the new friend they would meet tomorrow; or in Aleisha’s case, all she did was worry.

Everyone was excited when they came into the classroom the next day. They all looked around hoping to see the new kid. They had expected to see someone new on the bus and were disappointed when they didn’t.

It was hard for Miss Nell to keep from laughing. It looked funny to see them standing in the room not doing anything but looking around. She asked, “What’s up, guys? How come you’re not putting your back packs away like you always do?” They stared at her blankly and thought, “How could she have forgotten about the new kid?”

Miss Nell didn’t say anything about the new student, she only said, “Come on, guys, you need to put your stuff away and come have a seat on the rug.”

As they were putting their things away, Miranda said to Aleisha, “Isn’t it exciting?” Aleisha only shrugged and said, “I guess so.” Miranda could see she was about to cry and asked, “What’s wrong?” Aleisha said, “I’m scared that you won’t be my friend anymore.” Miranda hugged her and said that even if they did make a new friend they would still be best friends. They hurried over to the rug to find a seat next to each other.

Once everyone was settled, Miss Nell came over and took attendance and started to explain which centers they would be working on that day. Katie blurted out, “I can’t take it! Where is she? Where is the new girl?”

Everyone started laughing and just as Miss Nell was getting them calmed down. They all heard someone behind them say, “I’m sorry I’m late.” Everyone was a little confused because the voice sounded like a grownup. Tyler was more confused than anyone as he turned around and said, “Mom?”

“Mrs. Landley,” asked Jerome, “Why are you going to be in kindergarten?” Tyler’s mom gave him a puzzled look and laughed as she made her way to the front of the rug where Miss Nell was standing. She then held up a small wire cage that in their confusion they had failed to notice and she said, “Meet your new class pet!” Both she and Miss Nell laughed at the shocked looks on their faces.

Katie shrieked, “You mean this hamster is the new kid?” Miss Nell laughed and reminded them that she had never said ‘kid’ the word she used was ‘friend’. They couldn’t believe it! Their teacher had played a joke on them!

Miranda & Aleisha put their hands over their mouths and giggled at the thought of Aleisha being worried about Miranda being best friends with a hamster.

“Are you surprised, Tyler?” his mom asked. He responded, “Very!”

“Everyone needs to get calmed downed and thank Mrs. Landley for getting a pet for our class.” said Miss Nell. The class chorused, “Thank you!”

“Okay, guys, we’ve got an important job to do,” Miss Nell informed the class. “We need to give our new friend a name.”