"Today is the third day of third grade and I am so excited! Today we are going to learn multiplication! I love math! I am so excited!" exclaimed Tyler. 

"Well we'd better get you to school then! We don't want you to miss multiplication!" said Tyler's mother.

"This day is already the best! It can't get any better! Let's go, mom!" said Tyler as he rushed to the car.

"Hi class! Today we have some exciting news!" Ms. Fowler says.

"Are we doing multiplication today? Is that the news? Is it? Is it?" Tyler exclaims jumping up and down.

"Well, we are starting multiplication today but also, after lunch we are getting a new student!" says Ms. Fowler

The class is full of "Oos" and "Ahhs" but Tyler is not interested in the news.

Nothing was supposed to ruin my day!

Tyler was angry. He didn't want to have a new student in his class. He just wanted to learn multiplication. 

Ms. Fowler continued her teaching until it was lunch time. The students hurried out the door to eat lunch so that they could meet the new student once lunch was over.

Tyler walked slowly to lunch in no hurry. No hurry at all.

Class, this is Michael! He's from Texas.

Hello everyone! I'm Michael! Nice to meet you.

After lunch, the new student was already in the classroom with Ms. Fowler. 

After introducing himself, Michael answered a lot of questions the rest of the class had. 

Tyler didn't have any questions. He just wanted to do multiplication.

"Why don't you take a seat next to Tyler, Michael? He will let you know what materials you need!" said Ms. Fowler as she pointed to the empty desk next to Tyler.

Tyler and Michael worked as partners during the multiplication assignment. Tyler realized that he really liked Michael and was glad Michael joined the class.

"You're really smart, Michael! How did you know this already?" said Tyler.

"I learned multiplication in 2nd grade. This is a review to me." Michael said with a smile. 

Tyler smiled and then replied with "Cool! Do you want to play together at recess?"

Michael nodded yes.

During recess, Tyler and Michael played tag, hide and go seek, and soccer. 

As it was time to line up, Tyler asked himself a question. 

"I wonder why Michael's eyes are so squinty? I've never met anyone with squinty eyes before." Tyler thought to himself. 

Then Tyler turned to Michael and said, "Can I ask you a question?"

Michael nodded and smiled.

"Why are your eyes squinted?"