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Short Story
The following story by student writer Jon Roberts tells about a middle schooler’s strategy for asking a friend to go with him to see a movie.
Opposite Day
Exposition:
The beginning introduces the characters, setting, and conflict. Ted Demeter arrived early to jazz band practice and went to assemble his trombone. He looked at his reflection in the shiny bell and finger-combed his brown hair. His green eyes sparkled. Today was the day. Today he would ask Joanna Fetchner to go out with him. He had everything planned, and he just hoped she would say, “No.”
Joanna arrived. Ted couldn’t see her at the band room door—long blonde hair flipping and smile flashing—but he could hear her laughing voice as she talked with her friend, Lis, who played trumpet. As Joanna approached, Ted quickly snapped his trombone case closed.