When They Find Out!

    My name is Katrina. I have a younger sister whose name is Molly and an older brother named Louis. Sometimes I tell lies so I don’t get into trouble. Once I broke my mom’s favorite vase. I told her Louis did it. I felt a little bad, but my mom said whoever did it would be grounded. I can’t get grounded! I have a game coming up soon! I don’t want to miss it! So, Louis got grounded. He of course said he didn’t do it, (because he didn’t, I did!) but my mom saw my tears, and believed I was innocent. So Louis served my punishment. (Oh, well.)

“Sweetie,” my mom said.

“What?” I said.

“Come and eat breakfast. The bus will be here soon.”

“Coming,” I said.

“Buuuuuuus!” Molly yelled.

“Bye!” Mom said.

“Goodbye,” we said.

Our bus ride is about 30 minutes. I usually sit by my best friend, Ella.

“Hi, Ella.”

“Hi,” Ella said.

We sat in the front because there are mean older boys in the back. Thirty minutes later, we arrived at school. I have math today. I hate math. It is the worst subject. I stink at math, but Ella’s so good at math so I asked Ella to do my homework.

“But isn’t that cheating?” Ella said.

“Nobody will know! Just think! You will have $20 when… “

“Wait, you never said you would give me $20!” Ella said.

“Ya! I will, Ella! Ok, so after school we will meet at my house. You will do my homework, and I will play video games.”

“You should watch and learn,” Ella said.

“No, I will not! You can’t make me! Do you want the $20 or not?” I said.

“Fine!” Ella said angrily.

Just then the bell rang. “That’s the bell,” said Ella.

“Come on, students! Clear the hallway!” said Mrs. Brook. She is our principal. My teacher is Mr. Clark. First, I have math. (Did I mention I hate math?) Ok let’s get the day over with. Noooooooooooooo! We have a substitute.

Seven hours later, rrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnngggggggg! Time to go!

“Bye, students!” said the substitute.

Finally it’s the weekend! There’s the bus.

“Bye, Ella!”

“Bye!”

Thirty minutes later…“Katrina!” Mom called. Oh no! I’m busted! Katrina thought.

“I know what you have been doing, and I’m so proud of you,” my mom said.

“What? I’m confused,” I said.

“The school called to tell me how wonderful you have been doing. You got all A’s. You must have worked SO HARD to get such A GREAT report card! I just can’t tell you enough HOW PROUD I am! Let’s go get ice cream.”

(GULP) “Ummm …. wait mom,” I sigh. “I have something to say.”

“What?”

“I never did my homework.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is not my homework that got good grades. Ella did my homework.”

“What!? I am talking to her parents!”

“No, Mom! I paid Ella to do my homework! It’s not her fault!”

“Young lady, you are grounded!”

“Why?”

“You know why!”

“Fine!” I stomped to my room angrily and slammed the door. I screamed at the top of my lungs!

“Stop that right now!” I heard my mom holler. I came downstairs to apologize to my mom.

“Mom, I am sorry for yelling and for my homework.”

“And what about the vase? Was that you too?” she demanded.

GULP. “Yes.”

“What else have you lied about? Katrina, you’ve taught me that I simply cannot trust you. Where’s your integrity? It’s going to take a LONG time for you to earn my trust again.”

Well, now I feel like garbage.

After a month of being grounded to my room, having NO friends over, and doing my brother’s chores to make up for the broken vase, I did NOT lie or cheat again. I guess I’m not as good at it as I think I am. From now on I’m going to tell the truth. (It’s just easier.)