Dance, Belle, Dance!. Beth Huffman

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ room all night. I couldn’t keep up with her.”

      As soon as we got home, I headed straight to my bedroom and slammed the door. Even though I covered my ears with pillows, I could still hear Belle’s voice. When Mom was begging her to stop splashing the bath water, she said, “Mommy, I want to have a sleepover with Macey tonight.”

      “No. You have school tomorrow. You’re sleeping in your own bed and that’s final.”

      Five minutes later, my bedroom door flew open and she vaulted onto the bed. “You look funny. You’re hiding under your pillows, aren’t you?”

      “Yeah, I am. I’m trying to hide from you and your big mouth. Go to bed!”

      “But I’m not tired. I have a secret plan. Wanna hear what it is?”

      “Sure. Tell me. I can’t stand the suspense.”

      “Okay. Here it is. When Mommy and Daddy are asleep, I’m going to tiptoe past their room and sleep with you.”

      “No way! If you don’t leave by the time I count to three, I’m slugging you with my pillow. One … two … two and a half …”

      “Stop counting! Mom said I could sleep with you.”

      “You BIG LIAR! I heard what she told you. Do you even get it that you’re starting school tomorrow?”

      “I think I get it but I’m not sure. I wish it was summer all year long, don’t you? Guess what I’m hiding behind my back?”

      “I really don’t care. Go!”

      “I will but let’s play a game first. Close your eyes and try to guess what I put in your hand.”

      “Okay, my eyes are closed.”

      I knew immediately what it was. I didn’t have to open my eyes. Belle had stolen the blue marker from Mrs. Heldman’s desk.

      The Bus Stop

      Kylie and I have been best friends since kindergarten. She only lives two streets over and we’re always together. We can’t stand it if we go more than two days without seeing each other. I knew she’d be surprised that I was alone when we met at the bus stop.

      “Macey, is Belle sick?”

      “No. She’s fine.”

      “Then where is she?”

      Right then the bus pulled up. “I’ll tell you on the way to school.”

      When we were in our seats, we huddled together like we always do when we’re sharing secrets. I tried to whisper because I didn’t want anyone to hear me. “Kylie, you wouldn’t believe how she acted at the open house. I was afraid what she’d say next. She was out of control.”

      “Did she do something really bad?”

      “Yeah, she did. You know those colored markers that Mrs. Heldman always keeps on her desk? Belle grabbed a blue one and drew lines on her legs and hands.”

      “You’re kidding! Why did she do that?”

      “She saw some boy do it and thought it looked fun.”

      “Wasn’t she afraid of getting in trouble?”

      “No. She never worries about that.”

      “That’s kinda scary, isn’t it?”

      “Yeah, it is. That’s not all. She put the blue marker in her pocket and brought it home.”

      “What? That means she stole it. How did you find out?”

      “She showed it to me. That’s why she isn’t riding the bus. Mom took her to school this morning. She has to return the marker and apologize to Mrs. Heldman.”

      “She’s probably nervous, isn’t she?”

      “That’s just it, Kylie. She isn’t nervous at all. She’s not even embarrassed. She acts like it never happened.”

      “Did your parents really yell at her?”

      “No, but they kept telling her why she can’t take things that don’t belong to her. Then they made her promise that she’d never do it again.”

      “Did she promise?”

      “Yeah, but I know she didn’t mean it. The whole time they were talking, she was playing with the zippers on her backpack.”

      “Macey, when I talk to Belle, she says strange things every now and then. Maybe she can’t help it. I know she gets on your nerves but I feel sorry for her sometimes. Don’t you?”

      “No. I don’t feel sorry for her at all. I feel sorry for Mrs. Heldman. Belle is going to drive her crazy this year.”

      Introductions

      The first morning of school was great. Miss Rex asked us to stand up, face our classmates and introduce ourselves. She told us to share what we wanted to be when we grew up. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I was pretty sure what Kylie would say too. Her row was called on before mine. I was a little worried because she’s so shy and she hates talking in class. She stutters when she’s really nervous. Her younger brother, Wesley, does the same thing.

      Her voice was shaking when she said, “I w-w-want to be an artist.”

      Miss Rex loved her answer and told her to bring some of her drawings to school. Kylie nodded that she would and quickly sat down. There was only one person in the room who made fun of her and that was Brooklyn. She was the meanest kid in our class. She was a bully. Nobody liked her. When Kylie was talking, she rolled her eyes like she was totally bored. I felt like smacking her. To make things worse, she moved her lips like she was stuttering. Miss Rex didn’t see it but I did. One way or another, I was going to get back at her.

      I was ready the second she stood up. I turned around a little bit in my seat to look her straight in the eye. It was just far enough that Miss Rex couldn’t see the look on my face but Brooklyn could. I timed things perfectly. When she started to say she wanted to be a nurse, I faked a long and loud cough. It was impossible for everyone to hear her. She was so mad that her face turned red like a summer tomato. I just smiled at her.

      When it was my turn to talk, I said, “I want to be an author. I want Kylie to draw the front covers on my books. She’s an amazing artist. She’s my best friend.”

      When I sat down, Miss Rex said, “Class, this is a good time to teach you a new word. An illustrator is a person who draws the pictures in books. That’s what Kylie would be. How exciting if that really happens.”

      I wish the school day could have ended right then. Unfortunately, I had to go to gym class next … with Brooklyn. I didn’t have a good feeling about it at all.

      Miss Richmond was our gym teacher. Everybody loved her. She had this special way of making you feel like you mattered. Even when kids didn’t have enough energy to finish the relay СКАЧАТЬ