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Foreign. S and welcome to sleept Stories. Each week we share a few shout outs and birthday wishes for listeners who help support the show. It's a small way we say thank you and it always makes us smile. Happy belated 7th birthday CJ. We're so proud of you and hope your year is filled with laughter, fun and lots of great stories. Keep being amazing. Love Mom, Dad, Skye, Noah and Natalia. Happy Birthday to a very loyal listener who refuses to sleep unless she hears our stories. Anastasia, Cecilia, you're 10 now but remember, some things will always be the same. We'll always love you, always hug you and we'll always be by your side. Infinity kisses. We love you. I win. Happy 8th birthday Lena. Whether or not you take your love of dance and music to the stage, your contagious optimism and ready smile make you a star to everyone you meet. Love Mommy, Daddy, Nora, Maya and Scout. Happy Birthday our amazing Arad from Mommy, Daddy and your brother Adrian. We love you to the moon and back. You are our little superhero and we are so proud of you. Every day have the best birthday ever. Full of fun, laughter and magic dreams tonight. Happy seventh birthday Delilah. Momo and Mama love you dearly. You are such a bright light in our lives. Watching you grow has been the greatest adventure. Happy 5th birthday to our sneaky ninja, Alby Oak. You are the coolest. Love Mommy, Daddy, Levi and Biscuit. Happy birthday to Landon in Spokane, Washington. You were six and now you're seven. Six. Seven. We love you so much and are so proud of who you are. You are so kind, trustworthy and do your best at everything you try. Love Mom, Dad, Clara, Ella and the cats. Happy double digit birthday to Regan in Denver, Colorado from Mom, dad and Emmy. You have a kind heart. Well while also being silly, determined and brave. We are proud of you and love you very much. Happy Birthday to Abella, our amazing eight year old. Keep playing hard, laughing loud and cracking jokes. Mommy and Daddy love you infinitely and are so proud of you and happy 7th birthday Mason with We love you so much. Watching you grow up has been the best and we can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you. We hope you love your sleept message. Love Mom, Dad, Jacob and Isla. Happy Birthday to you all. You know every time we sit down to record we think about you tucked in ready for a story. Maybe holding a favorite stuffed toy or snuggled next to someone you love. Knowing we get to be part of your bedtime makes everything we do feel worthwhile. Now on to our story. It is the beginning of a new week and the gang is still working on the teacher's gift mystery. Red is up before her alarm and gets dressed and heads down to breakfast, where Blue is already eating. She sees her mom has left a note about being sick and she thinks that is odd. When Red gets on the bus, Charlie tells her he found something out and he'll share it with her and the gang at lunchtime. The Transfer Student Volume 3 Part 11 Red knew it was Monday morning, not because she'd gotten used to Earth's calendar, but because it felt like it. Which was weird, she thought. How does a day have a feeling? She got out of bed quickly. She was awake before her alarm went off, and though Blue had been easing off with the pranks, she could never be entirely sure. He might just be letting her get comfortable with something normal. And then, boom. Another silly gag. She grabbed her phone to turn off the alarm. No tricks. Red got dressed. She was largely wearing the same thing every day now. It saved her brain power for more important things, like solving this latest mystery with a pad. She probably could have solved it in 10 minutes, but it was more fun going through the process with the gang. Who were? It was still hard to say. Her friends. They knew almost everything about her. The most secret things, anyway, and only friends would be able to keep that secret. Right before leaving her room, she looked out the window. The sky was blue and the grass was green. Downstairs, Blue was already at the table, stuffing his mouth with waffles. Traces of syrup covered the table, but mom was nowhere to be seen. Good morning, stinky head. Where's mom? And who made you breakfast? She's sleeping in, and I'll have you know that I am more than capable of making my own breakfast. Need I remind you just how intelligent I am? Blue said, opening his mouth to reveal the waffle piece he was chewing. I guess you're smart enough to press down on a toaster. She saw the frozen waffles on the counter and a note from mom saying she wasn't feeling well and would sleep in. Red thought that was strange. She'd never noticed mom being sick before. Earth thing. Maybe everyone gets sick here. You know, I think my next project should be to give that toaster a brain, blue said, washing his food down with milk. It really is a dumb device. Not every device needs a brain, red said, then noticed what he was drinking. Is that cow's milk? She almost gagged. Blue exaggerated a long sip, like he was enjoying the most delicious drink in the whole wide world. No, it's made from some kind of nut. Tastes like milk. Though Red was relieved she drowned her waffles in maple syrup. Earth's greatest food. Having some waffles with that syrup. Big stinky sis. Red stuck her tongue out at him. Mom wasn't around, so it was allowed. Red rode the yellow monstrosity to school, sitting in her usual seat next to Charlie, who for the first time in a long time wore matching socks, had his shirt on properly, and seemed temporarily, at least, free from some kind of viral infection. It was otherwise a pretty uneventful ride, except for the few potholes the bus driver failed to miss, which caused the whole bus to groan out loud each time. You look normal today, red observed. Charlie adjusted his glasses. My mom threatened to take away my computer if I didn't start presenting myself properly. He made air quotes. Apparently my teachers sent emails. About your socks? About everything, apparently. Charlie pulled out his notebook. But that's not important. Wait until you hear what I found out about the teacher gifts mystery. Red perked up. You found something? Maybe. I'll explain at lunch. I want everyone there when I present my theory. Is it going to be ridiculous? Probably, charlie admitted. But it might also be brilliant. Red smiled despite herself. This was going to be interesting. By the time the lunch bell rang, Red was more than ready to hear whatever theory Charlie had cooked up. She grabbed her lunch and headed to the cafeteria, weaving through the usual chaos of hundreds of students all trying to get food at the same time. The gang was already at their usual table by the windows. Kurt had her typical mountain of food spread out. Alexa was scrolling through something on her tablet, Rachel was reading while eating, and Charlie was practically vibrating with excitement. Finally, Charlie said as Red sat down, I've been waiting all morning to tell you guys. Tell us what? Kurt asked through a mouthful of sandwich. My breakthrough in the teacher gift's case, Charlie announced dramatically. Red pulled out her own lunch. Ok, let's hear it. Ok, Charlie said, pulling out his notebook. Let's go over what we know about the teacher gifts. Red pulled out her own notebook. She'd written teacher gifts mystery at the top with bullet points underneath. Someone's been leaving expensive gifts in the teacher's lounge. Started about two weeks ago. Fancy coffee, nice pens, Expensive chocolate, Alexa added, scrolling through her tablet. I've been tracking it. Six different gifts over the past two weeks. Kurt stopped mid bite. Wait, how do you know they're expensive? Because Mr. McCaskill mentioned the coffee was from that fancy place downtown. The one where a single cup costs like $8, Alexa explained, and Ms. Rodriguez showed her class the pens they're the kind calligraphers use. $30 each. Someone's spending a lot of money, rachel observed quietly. And nobody knows who it is, red said. That's the mystery. Anonymous gifts. Always during lunch periods when the lounge is empty. Charlie leaned forward conspiratorially. Which means someone is sneaking in there when no teachers are around. Someone who knows exactly when the lounge is empty. Or someone who works here and has legitimate access, alexa countered. Could be another teacher doing something nice for their colleagues. But why be anonymous about it? Kurt asked. If I spent that much money on gifts, I'd want credit. Red thought about that. On Mars, gift giving was always acknowledged. Anonymous gifts would be considered strange, even suspicious. But on Earth, she was still learning how these things worked. Maybe they just like making people happy, rachel suggested, without needing recognition. Or maybe it's someone mysterious, charlie said, his eyes lighting up. A secret benefactor. Someone who used to go to this school and came back to Charlie, alexa interrupted. Please tell me your theory isn't a mysterious benefactor. Well, not just mysterious benefactor. I was thinking more like secret millionaire. Who? A millionaire sneaking into our school to leave chocolate in the teacher's lounge? Kurt asked skeptically. It could happen. It couldn't, alexa said flatly. Red tried not to smile. Okay, so what do we actually know? Facts only. No wild theories yet. Alexa checked her tablet. Anonymous gifts. Expensive items. Started two weeks ago. Always appear during lunch periods. Always in the teacher's lounge. Nobody's been caught. Teachers are happy about it, but confused. They're thoughtful, too, rachel added, not looking up from her book. Not random. The fancy coffee went to Mr. McCaskill, who drinks coffee constantly. The expensive pens went to Mrs. Rodriguez, who teaches calligraphy club. The chocolate went to Mr. Patterson right around his birthday. Everyone turned to look at her. Rachel glanced up. What? I pay attention. That's actually really helpful, red said, making a note. So whoever is doing this knows the teachers personally, knows what they like, when their birthdays are. Which means it's probably someone who works here, alexa concluded. A teacher administrator. Maybe the janitor. Someone who's around enough to know those details. Or a student who pays attention, kurt suggested, gesturing at Rachel. Charlie flipped through his notebook. I've been trying to figure out the pattern of when gifts appear. I think the next one might be Wednesday during bee lunch. Based on what? Alexa asked. Based on the previous timing, they appear every few days, and we haven't had one since last Thursday. So. So you guessed, alexa said. It's an educated guess. Red looked at her notes. They had clues, but not enough to figure Out. Who was behind this? We need to watch the teachers lounge. See who goes in and out during lunch periods. Surveillance. Charlie's eyes lit up. I'll bring my binoculars. You will not bring binoculars, alexis said immediately. That's weird. It's professional. It's creepy. We need to watch the teacher's lounge, red said. But we can't all just stand there staring at the door. That's too obvious. What if we take turns? Rachel suggested. Different days. Rotate who's watching. Or we could watch during passing periods, alexa offered. Between classes, when we have legitimate reasons to be in that hallway. I could skip lunch, charlie volunteered. Everyone stared at him. What for detective work I'd sacrifice. You're not skipping lunch, alexa said. Your mom literally just had an email chain with your teachers. You want to add skipping meals to the list of concerns? Oh, good point. What if we just pay attention? Rachel said quietly. We're in that hallway all the time anyway. Between classes, going to the library, heading to the office. We just make a point of noticing who goes near the teacher's lounge. Red nodded. That actually made more sense. So we all watch during our normal routines. If anyone sees something suspicious, we report it. I have study hall next period, kurt said. I could ask to go to the bathroom, walk past the teacher's lounge on the way. I have free period after lunch, alexa added. I could work in the library, which is right across from the lounge. And I pass it on my way to English, red said. After lunch ends. Charlie looked disappointed. So we're not doing coordinated surveillance. We're doing casual observation, alexa corrected. It's less weird, but also less cool. But more likely to actually work, rachel pointed out. Red made notes in her notebook. Okay, everyone keeps their eyes open. We meet after school, compare notes, see if anyone spotted anything. This is going to be so cool, charlie said, rubbing his hands together. Real detective work. It's literally just watching a door, alexa said. Real detective work. Red closed her notebook. It probably wouldn't be that exciting, but at least it gave them a place to start. And honestly, after the intense locker notes case with Jordan, a simple mystery about anonymous gifts sounded kind of nice. After school, the gang gathered at Red's house, sprawled across her room with homework and snacks. Blue tried to slip in behind Kurt. Out, red said without looking up from her notebook. But I could help. I have theories about. You're a consultant, not a member. Out. Blue grumbled something about not appreciating genius but left, closing the door with slightly more force than necessary. He's definitely listening through the door, kurt observed Unwrapping a granola bar. Definitely, red agreed. But at least he's on the other side of it. Okay, so did anyone see anything? I did, kurt said, finishing her granola bar and pulling out another. During study hall, I asked to go to the bathroom. Walked past the teacher's lounge, and Charlie leaned forward eagerly. Mr. Rodriguez was mopping near there, but that's his job, so not exactly suspicious. Could he be leaving the gifts? Rachel asked. Kurt shrugged. Maybe, but he's always cleaning that hallway. Hard to tell if he was doing anything different. Anyone else? Red asked, making notes. Ms. McDonald went into the lounge, kurt continued, but she was carrying her lunch bag, so she was probably just eating. Did you see if she left anything? Alexa asked. Tablet out and ready? No, I had to keep walking. Couldn't just stand there without looking weird. Charlie slumped back. So basically nothing suspicious. I didn't say that, kurt said, reaching for her third granola bar. I also saw Jordan. The room went quiet. Jordan was near the teacher's lounge? Red asked carefully, walking past it quickly, like he wasn't trying not to be noticed. Kurt paused. Could just be coincidence that hallway does go to the library. Or Jordan could be our gift giver, charlie said, eyes widening. Think about it. Jordan already left anonymous notes to help people. Maybe he's doing it again with expensive coffee and chocolate? Alexa asked skeptically. Where would Jordan get that kind of money? Red thought about Jordan sitting alone in the library every morning. His parents worked early shifts. Money was probably tight. I don't think Jordan could afford gifts like that. Unless he's working somewhere, charlie persisted. After school. Job saving up to Charlie, rachel interrupted gently. Jordan's our friend. Maybe he was just walking to the library. But it's suspicious timing. Red had to admit it was a little suspicious. But Jordan had good reasons for being in quiet places, for observing without being noticed. It was just who he was. We should talk to Jordan, red said finally. Not accuse him. Just ask casually if he's noticed anything. He's always around early, always observing. Maybe he saw something. Or maybe he is the something, charlie muttered. We're not accusing anyone yet, red said firmly. We're just gathering information. Did anyone check the trash? Blue's voice shouted through the door. Red threw a pillow at the door. Go away. Evidence is in the trash. I'm just saying. Despite everything, Red smiled. Blue was annoying, but sometimes his ridiculous ideas weren't completely useless. Alexa, what did I see? Alexa asked, glancing at her tablet. Right. I had free period. Worked in the library like I said. And Red prompted. Nothing suspicious A few students studying. Ms. Finkelstein's replacement was shelving books. Nobody went near the teacher's lounge. That I saw. So basically, charlie said, slumping back, we spent all afternoon watching and learned nothing. We learned Jordan was near the teacher's lounge, rachel pointed out. Which might mean nothing, red added quickly, but even as she said it, she wasn't entirely sure she believed it. The meeting broke up shortly after, everyone heading home with assignments to keep watching tomorrow. After everyone left, Red sat at her desk, staring at her notebook. She'd written Jordan near Teachers lounge with a question mark. Next to was probably just coincidence. Jordan was always in quiet hallways, always moving through the school like a shadow. The library was right there. Of course. Jordan would walk past the teacher's lounge, but the timing bothered her. Red thought about the locker notes case. Jordan had spent weeks observing people leaving anonymous messages to help them. Always quiet, always unnoticed, always kind. Could Jordan be doing it again? Leaving gifts this time instead of notes? But where would Jordan get the money? Expensive coffee, fancy pens, good chocolate that wasn't cheap. Jordan's parents worked early shifts. Money was probably tight. Unless Jordan found another way. A job, maybe, or savings or. Red stopped herself. She was doing exactly what Charlie did, jumping to conclusions based on almost nothing. Tomorrow she'd talk to Jordan casually, just see if he'd noticed anything unusual. Did you write down the trash thing? Blue shouted through the wall. Red threw her pillow at the wall. Go to sleep. I'm just saying, important evidence. Red rolled her eyes, but she wrote it down anyway. Check teacher's lounge trash. She stared at the words. Red closed her notebook. Tomorrow they'd keep watching. Tomorrow they'd talk to Jordan. Tomorrow, maybe they'd actually figure this out. She turned off her light, but her mind kept spinning. Whenever her mind was like this, she needed to read. She grabbed some physics journals that always calmed her mind. And that is the end of this part. Good night. Sleep tight. Sa.