But, as quiet as I was, everybody, including Mme Noelle, looked at me as I walked into the studio.

    "Ah," said Madame. "Zee Princess Aurora hos decided to join us." She gestured to a spot on the floor. "Please, your highness, take a seat." Then she saw my feet.

    "But where are your shoes, Mademoiselle Romsey?" she asked, her eyebrows raised high.

    I felt so ashamed. "I - I don't know," I said.. "I packed them last night, but now they're not in, my bag." I felt hot, then suddenly cold, all over.

    "But you cannot rehearse wizout zem!" she said. "And we cannot rehearse wizout you." She stood up. "You must look for zem again. Perhops zey are benease some ozair girl's clothes. Come!" She clapped her hands and gestured to the class to follow her.

    I felt like such a jerk, walking back into the dressing room with my entire class marching behind me. When we got there, we started to tear the place apart. Mme Noelle stood at the door of the room as we searched. She had a funny look on her face, as if she smelled a dead fish or something. Usually, she made a point of staying out of the dressing room - and it was obvious that she wasn't enjoying this little visit.

    "What is zot!" she asked, pointing at Carrie's neon green, pink, and yellow jacket, which was tossed over a sink.

    "That's my jacket," said Carrie.

    "I see," sniffed Mme Noelle.

    "I think it's wicked cool," said Katie Beth. "I wish I had one." "Perhops if you young ladies were more careful with your sings, zis would not hop-pen," said Mme Noelle, looking at me.

    I felt tears stinging my eyes. It wasn't fair! True, everybody's stuff was strewn all over the room. But I'm actually a pretty neat person. My stuff is usually put away in my locker. And I'm always prepared for class. At least I always have been.