Almost everyone. Beebe and Destiny were knitting in the art room. The scarves looked like skinny red strings. Mitchell waved at Charlie. “I’m staying for Homework Help. I’m writing the story of my life.” Charlie nodded. Mitchell was the best writer in the Center. He’d won a prize for it. “We don’t even have to think about Come as a Character Day until tomorrow,” Charlie told Sumiko. “Whew,” she said. Behind them, Trevor yelled, “Graaaah!” No one jumped. It was the tenth time he’d graaaaahed in the last two minutes. Clifton threw himself on the floor, laughing. “Great growl,” he told Trevor. A sign was taped outside of the library. CLOSE THE DOOR QUICKLY. Ms. Katz had brought her new dog, Tree Stump, with her. He was little and round. Just like a tree stump. Mrs. Thomas, the cat, would eat him ears to tail in one gulp. Charlie opened the library door a couple of inches. He and Sumiko slipped through. Tree Stump was safe. Charlie liked being at the library. Especially during Afternoon Center.
