Every day, one student in Room 9 leads the class to lunch. Today it was Mei's turn. Mei liked to stand at the back of the line, where nobody looked at her.

"I don't want to be first," she whispered to her friend Tomas.

"You know the way," Tomas said. "Just walk slowly so we can keep up."

Mei stood at the front of the line. Her cheeks felt hot. She walked down the hall, past the library, and around the corner. When she looked back, the whole class was right behind her in a neat line.

At lunch, Mr. Vega gave Mei a sticker. "Best line leader all week," he said. Mei sat up a little taller.