“Tell you what,” suggested Peter. “Come over to my house and we’ll discuss it.”

“What is there to discuss?” I asked glumly. “I won the contest because I cheated.”

“Come on over, anyway. My mother bought a fresh package of humbow in Chinatown.”

I couldn’t turn down that invitation. Humbow, a roll stuffed with barbecued pork, is my favorite snack.

Peter’s mother came into the kitchen while we were munching, and he told her about the contest.

Mrs. Lu looked pleased. “I’m very glad, Angela. You have a terrific imagination, and you deserve to win.”

“I like Angela’s stories,” said Peter. “They’re original.”

It was the first compliment he had ever paid me, and I felt my face turning red.

After Mrs. Lu left us, Peter and I each had another humbow. But I was still miserable. “I wish I had never started this. I feel like such a jerk.”

Peter looked at me, and I swear he was enjoying himself. “If you stole another student’s story, why didn’t that person complain?”

“I don’t know!” I wailed.

“Think!” said Peter. “You’re smart, Angela. Come on, figure it out!”