Maxine sat at her desk in the classroom, an open notebook of the book before her and an infinite distance in her thoughts. Beside her, Sarah babbled away about the upcoming vacation. The two of them had been talking about the break for weeks, but something today was sending Sarah to new levels of excitement. Maxine felt as if her fake smile of excitement was being strained by Sarah's energy.
"So, Maxine, have you decided what you're going to do over the break? My family is heading to that new resort in the mountains, and you should totally come with us! It's going to be amazing!" she went on, with her eyes glistening with excitement.
Maxine sighed. "I haven't really made any plans. I don't know what I'll do yet. Maybe just stay at home and catch up on some reading."
"'Aww, c'mon! You go
