CHAPTER 1
"Friday Morning With the Family"
It was finally time for recess and everyone was very excited to go outside and have fun on the playground. Hannah and D'Niaya hurried as fast as they could so they could be the first in line to use the swings.
The two girls, best friends for forever, enjoyed playing together. They also liked to play with two of their other friends, Aniya and Owen. When they were all together they liked to see who could climb the fastest to the highest section of the monkey bars. April was the champion so far, with D'Niaya coming in just a few seconds behind her.
But today Hannah and D'Niaya wanted to spend some time on the swings first, and then have their usual monkey bar race. April and Susannah had already decided they would spend time jumping rope, and that made everyone happy.
Everyone, that is, with the exception of the Terrible Two's. A boy named Chris and a girl named Charlene were the twins that did everything together ... especially bullying the other students on the playground. They seemed to enjoy making everyone else feel scared and afraid, and a few months ago someone started calling the twins the "terrible two's."
Hannah was no stranger to their games, and on more than one occasion was reduced to tears when Chris and Charlene took turns calling her names.
"Hey, look at the stupid girl!" yelled Charlene.
"Which stupid girl are you talking about? It looks like there are lots of stupid girls on the playground today," replied Chris.
Hannah tried to remember the advice her mother had given to her: ignore the bullies and walk away! But the words did make her sad, and when she tried to walk away, Chris and Charlene kept standing in her way.
"Going some where, stupid girl?" Chris whispered to her.
"Yes, do you think you can just walk away from us?" Charlene added with a sour look on her face.
Hannah tried to be brave, but felt she was outnumbered.
"Leave me alone!" she said in a whisper.
"Did you say something, stupid girl? We can't hear you!" replied Charlene.
At the same time Chris reached out and grabbed Hannah by the shoulders and started to shake her. Now Hannah was very scared and was afraid the terrible two's were going to punch and kick her, like they did to the new boy last week on the playground. Charlene also grabbed Hannah, and they continued to shake her.
Hannah began to cry, but then she thought she heard her mother's voice. But how could her mother be on the playground so quickly?
"Hannah, are you awake?"
"Remember, Hannah, you are powerful, and you can determine what you say and do ... and what you need to do is to take charge of the situation. And don't forget to check your thinking. It is very important to ask 'what am I telling myself?' YOU determine how you feel by the conversation you have with yourself in your head."
She heard her mother's voice as she continued talking. "It is time to get up and get ready for school."
There was a moment of silence before her mother repeated the request. At that moment, Hannah realized it was only a dream, and the terrible two's were not bothering her.
But that reminder made Hannah pull the covers even more tightly around her head. Usually on a Friday morning she was eager to get up and go to school, because the weekend was just about to begin.
That meant lots of time playing with her friends and cousins, Shelby and Erica, who were coming to visit. And Friday was also the day her class would visit the school library. Hannah loved the school library, and often thought about wanting to be a librarian when she grew up.
But Hannah had stayed up too late last night, reading more chapters of her favorite book. After her mom and dad had kissed her goodnight, and turned off the light, she waited until she heard their footsteps going down the stairs before she turned the light back on so she could read what she thought would be "just one more chapter."
However, before she knew it, she had stayed up late enough to finish the whole book. She was glad that she had read all of it, but at the same time, she was sad that the adventure in that book was over. As she drifted off to sleep, she knew should would be able to find a new book to read at the school library.
Hannah liked to read and was always looking for books by new authors. She also liked the school librarian, who was always suggesting books for Hannah to read.
"You better hurry and get out of bed ... I'm making pancakes, and you know how fast your brother can eat them," her mom said.
When she heard the word "pancake," everything changed. As quick as a flash, Hannah threw off the covers and jumped up out of bed. Pancakes were her favorite breakfast, and she loved eating them when they were still warm. And she also knew how fast her brother, Charles, could eat them, so she quickly dressed herself, brushed her teeth and her hair, and headed downstairs towards the kitchen.
She made it to the kitchen table just in time to watch her brother pick up the last pancake from the serving dish. Before she had a chance to scream "No!" her mother placed a fresh batch of pancakes on the table.
"I thought it might take you a few minutes to come downstairs, so I waited a bit to start the second round of pancakes," her mother said with a smile.
Hannah smiled as put two pancakes on her plate, and then reached across the table for the butter and syrup.
"Only two pancakes this morning?" said Charles, as he gulped down another big mouthful of food. "Rookie," he said with a smile.
Their father walked into the kitchen and said "good morning, everyone" as he sniffed the air. "Yum, I thought I smelled pancakes."
Hannah was so grateful that her mother had made a second batch of pancakes. She would have been disappointed if she and her father were not able to eat any this morning.
Before he sat down in his chair he opened the refrigerator to pull out a carton of pineapple juice. He liked it better than orange juice, which was just as well, since Hannah's brother was about to take the last swallow to wash down his second helping of pancakes.
"Whoa, slow down," father said to his son. "Pace yourself, son. You don't want to give yourself an upset stomach."
"Okay," said Charles as he belched out a large burp, which made everyone laugh.
Excuse me," he said a few seconds later.
"Well, at least you haven't forgotten your table manners," said Hannah with a smile. Although she found her brother annoying at times, deep down inside she did love him.
As Hannah started enjoying her pancakes, their mother reminded them that their cousins, Shelby and Erica were coming to visit on Saturday afternoon.
"I know everyone is excited, and that you will all get along, correct?"
"Of course we will," said Hannah with a big grin, as...