Oh, the places we come from,

oh the people we meet.

No one is just like you, and

no one is just like me.

Peony is a mouse, as little as can be. In her brand new class, she meets a boy called Iris Vartanii: A boy from Israel, who used to live by the sea.

Every day, Iris Vartanii leaves class at exactly twelve-O-three. While everyone was jealous of his freedom to leave, Peony just wondered, "Where, oh where could that Vartanii be?"

The other kids didn't like Iris Vartanii. In his whole life, he'd never felt more alone and outcast. To avoid his bullies, everyday during recess, he sat alone under the old banana tree, waiting to leave again at twelve-O-three.

Vartanii had started to be picked on by the other kids in class. No one still knew why he left class each day at twelve-O-three, but then again, no one bothered to ask. One day, Peony witnessed someone push Vartanii. It brought a sick feeling to her stomach, and all she could think was, "Poor Vartanii.".

That night, Peony didn't sleep a wink. She couldn't stop thinking about how mean some of those kids were to poor Vartanii. Why should anyone care if he leaves every day at twelve-O-three?

The following morning Peony awoke, and she knew what she had to do for Vartanii. At exactly twelve-O-three, she'd protect him from the class bully and his clan – she would make sure they left that Vartanii be.

Finally, the hour struck twelve-O-three. While Vartanii begun to stand, angry murmurs begun to circulate. Just as Peony was about to begin her plea, to leave Vartanii be - he turned to face the class in its entirety.