The water fountain outside Room 12 had a pattern. After recess, Nora’s class walked past it on the way to the stairs. Evan reached the fountain first because he walked fast. Priya came next. Nora came after Priya. The water was still cold then.

Today the hallway moved normally. Shoes squeaked. The recess monitor held the door open with her foot. Nora stepped into the hallway.

But a cone stood in front of the fountain.

A yellow plastic cone with a laminated sign taped to it: OUT OF ORDER.

Evan stopped. Priya stopped behind him. Nora stopped behind Priya. The cone did not move. Evan looked at the cone, then walked into the classroom without getting water. Priya followed. Nora stayed one extra second.

She looked down the hall. Another fountain was near the art room. It was farther away. It was also taller, and the button stuck sometimes.

She walked toward it.

Two fifth graders were already there. One had a hoodie sleeve pulled over his hand and was holding the fountain button down while they talked. Nora stood a few steps back. The water kept running.

Nora looked at the floor. One tile had a small chip near the corner. She put the front of her shoe against it and left it there.

One fifth grader finally stepped away. The other took a short drink and walked off in the middle of a sentence. Nora stepped up. The button stuck. She pressed harder. The water came out lower than the Room 12 fountain. She bent farther down.

The water was colder.

She took a short drink. She let go. The button stayed down for half a second before popping back up.

Nora walked to class. Inside, Priya was already at her desk. Her water bottle was open.

“You used the art room fountain,” Priya said.

“The cone was there,” Nora said.

Priya nodded once. Nora sat down.

The cone stayed in the hallway.

.