She thinks I'm smart. And I know it's not true but I know she believes it too, so I smile. "We'll practice tomorrow?" I ask, because I'm scared but I'm excited at the same time. I want her to see that I can do it. She'll be so happy then!

But not if I mess up. The idea comes all of a sudden, bright behind my eyes. "Hermia?" I don't look at her, and it's easier to talk that way, just looking down at her dress. "Is that why Micah had to leave? Because... Because he couldn't control his... How he's different, I mean." Micah was smart. If he couldn't learn the right things, I don't know how I'll do it.