Spirit Week Showdown

by Crystal Allen

  Naomi shrugs but doesn’t seem scared at all. “You stay away from me, too!”

  Mean Connie gets her books and stomps out of the Cave. Naomi and I wait for her to get far enough away before we talk.

  “Are you okay? She really scares me,” I say.

  Naomi rolls her eyes. “We used to go to the same private school in second grade. Mean Connie tried to bully me, but I told on her and she got kicked out.”

  Naomi holds her cell phone up high. “Before we walk into class, let’s take a picture for my portfolio in case I ever need one of me and my best friend in the Cave on a Thursday.”

  I put my face to hers and we smile so big that it takes up the whole picture screen. Click.

  Chapter Three

  Mrs. Davis makes us sit boy, girl, boy, girl, because she thinks that will stop us from talking. She’s right. Even the twins have a boy between them. Michael Silsbee sits in front of me. He’s got big ears and hears everything, but he talks about as much as my stuffed animals, which means not at all. Kenyan Tayler sits behind me, and I wouldn’t talk to him if he was the last boy on earth because he’s always pulling my braids. I ka-clunk over to Naomi’s desk with her.

  “I love your vest, Mya,” she says.

  I look down at it. “Annie Oakley wore one just like it. Cowgirl Claire has one, too.”

  Naomi frowns. “Who are they? What grade are they in? I don’t think I’ve met them.”

  I giggle. “They’re famous cowgirls.”

  Mom bought my vest at Billy Bob’s dollar store, even though I tell everyone she got it in the gift shop at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. There’s only one teeny-weeny difference between the two. I bet all the labels inside the vests at the gift shop say Made with Genuine Cowhide. Billy Bob’s label just says size small.

  I point toward the door. “Here come the twins.”

  I’ve been friends with Starr and Skye Falling since first grade. I’m not sure where they came from. They just showed up in class one day like aliens, and for the longest time, that’s what I thought they were. The longer I knew them, the more I believed it. I’d never call them that to their faces, but there is so much proof.

  Why else would Mr. and Mrs. Falling name their twins Starr and Skye unless they fell down to Earth from another planet?

  They are always together and never disagree.

  They eat the same foods, dance the same way, and wear matching outfits.

  They both have blond hair, blond eyebrows, freckles, little noses, and tiny lips.

  If one gets in trouble and cries, the other one cries, too.

  Two weeks later, I found out their parents opened the Bluebonnet Hunting Gear and Observatory, in between Dad’s store and the Burger Bar, home of the Cobb burger. That burger is gross. It’s a hamburger with eggs, coleslaw, onions, barbecue sauce, and beans right on the bun! Since she’s been pregnant, Mom has had one every day with extra onions.

  “Hi, Naomi, hi, Mya,” says Starr.

  “Hey, Naomi, hey, Mya,” says Skye.

  I lift my wrist. “Hi. Look what I made last night.”

  They touch my bracelet and smile. Naomi’s eyes light up. “OMG, Mya! That looks like it came out of a jewelry store. Will you make me a red one?”

  “Sure.” I whisper to the twins. “Mean Connie tried to start a fight with Naomi in the Cave.”

  We all glare at Connie. I keep waiting for her to get a dragon tattoo on her neck or a snake ring in her eyebrow and look like a real bully. I whisper to Naomi. “Before she got here, we didn’t have any bullies. And she’s a slick one, because you wouldn’t even know she was a bully by looking at her. She doesn’t even dress like a bully. She wears really cute clothes.”

  “Those are the worst kind. She’s got bully bacteria. I’m sure of it,” says Naomi.

  I’ve never heard of bully bacteria, but it sounds like a real disease. The bell rings and we rush to our seats. Mrs. Davis closes the door, and the intercom squeaks to life. “Good morning, It’s a beautiful day here at Young Elementary School! Yes, yes, yes it is! Now, let’s all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.”

  Mr. Winky likes to say our school’s initials since they spell Y.E.S.

  After the pledge, he continues. “Spirit Week is almost here, so pick up a copy of the Spirit Week schedule from your teacher. This morning you will learn the Spirit Week rules. On a different note, let’s congratulate our very own Naomi Jackson, winner of the Junior Miss Lone Star Pageant! We are all so proud of her! Today’s cafeteria menu includes fabulous fish sticks, marvelous mashed potatoes, and a beautiful beet salad. This concludes the announcements.”

  I can’t help but smile at Naomi, sitting at her desk, wearing a pretty blue dress that only a princess should wear. Her skin reminds me of the caramel on my Halloween apples, but I think it’s her amazing green eyes that made the pageant judges give her the first-place trophy.

  Mrs. Davis hands each of us a paper. “Class, let’s go over the rules for Spirit Week.”

  • • • SPIRIT WEEK RULES • • •

  Classroom teachers will award daily points for the following:

  5 POINTS to the Spirit Week partners who:

  Have the best Spirit Week costumes and/or presentation; and,

  2 POINTS to Spirit Week “challenge” winners.

  *Only one challenge per team, per day.

  Acceptable Challenges: You may challenge another set of Spirit Week partners in your class to:

  1. A dance competition: Music will be provided by the competitors. (All dance challenges must take place during recess.)

  2. Three spelling words or one math question (to be determined by your teacher).

  3. Cafeteria entertainment: No longer than three minutes.

  1 POINT to all partners who participate in Spirit Week activities.

  A trade of partners can happen only if all four partners agree. Daily winners will be chosen by the classroom teacher, and scores will be posted in your classroom. The Spirit Week partners with the most points in each grade will receive VIP tickets for the Fall Festival.

  The classroom is deep-sleep quiet as we read the rules. Mrs. Davis walks as she talks. “Any questions?”

  Silence.

  “Then let’s open our English books and pick up where we left off yesterday on preparing clear and focused essays with formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions.”

  I glance over my left shoulder at Naomi. She’s the best formal introduction I’ve made in a long time. She smiles at me and opens her English book.

  The morning drags on, but soon it’s time to line up for lunch. Naomi’s always first, and she lets the twins and me join her. I feel a little strange about cutting in line, so I say thank you to everybody as I ka-clunk to the front.

  In the cafeteria, Naomi whispers to us. “I’m so excited about Spirit Week. I’ve been thinking about it a lot over the last few days, and just realized a VIP ticket may help me with something special I’m working on. Let’s meet at Mya’s house after school, and I’ll tell you all about it. Then we can make a plan.”

  “I’ll be there,” says Starr.

  “I am so there,” says Skye.

  My heart runs, flips, and jumps all over my insides. “You’re coming to my house? After school? Today? You’ve never been to my house before!”

  Naomi smiles. “Is that okay? I mean, that’s what best friends do, right?”

  I grin and nod. “Yep, that’s what best friends do.”

  “Will Nugget be there?” she asks.

  I shrug. “If he is, I’ll make him leave so we can talk.”

  She giggles. “He doesn’t bother me.”

  Firecrackers! I’ve got so many things to do to make sure everything is double-Dutch perfect when she comes over. I’m going to make Naomi’s visit one she’ll never forget.

  Chapter Four

  Ding-dong.

  “Nugget, they’re here! Hurry up with those smoothies!” I open the door.

  Naomi and the twin
s look down at the long red bathroom rug I put in the hall.

  “Why is that there?” asks Naomi.

  I grin. “Movie stars and beauty queens are supposed to walk on a red carpet.”

  Naomi hugs me. “That is so sweet.”

  I lead them to the backyard. “Nugget’s helping me in the kitchen. My mom’s napping. She’s going to have a baby soon, so she sleeps a lot. I’ll be out in a minute with snacks.”

  I tiptoe to Mom’s room and peek inside. She’s snoring with earplugs in. Perfect!

  I take the tray of veggies while Nugget pours smoothies into plastic cups. Naomi opens the door for us and smiles. “Hi, Nugget. Those look delicious. Did you make them?”

  “I most certainly did,” he says with his chest puffed out.

  She takes a seat and plays with her hair. He rolls his eyes.

  “Thanks for the smoothies, Nugget. You can go now,” I say.

  He salutes and then goes back inside.

  I grab a carrot. “Let’s play Princess in the Parade. Naomi, you sit on Buttercup. The twins and I will pretend we’re watching a parade. You wave at us, and we’ll wave back!”

  Naomi shrugs. “Okay, but then we have to talk about Spirit Week.”

  The twins and I help her to climb on top of our mechanical bull. She points at her purse. “Mya, would you get my phone and take a picture of me in case I ever need a rodeo picture for my portfolio?”

  I hold the phone steady as she poses. Click. Then I skip back to the twins.

  “Oh look! Here comes Junior Miss Lone Star!” I say.

  Naomi waves and blows kisses at us. “I wish this bull moved like one in a real parade!”

  I half run, half skip back to her. “You want him to move? Buttercup can move! Hold on to that copper handlebar on the back of his neck.”

  I push the button behind Buttercup’s ear just like Dad does when he lets me ride. A woman’s soft voice speaks from inside the bull.

  “Level One: Easy. Good Luck.”

  Nugget yells from the kitchen window. “Mya, you’re not supposed to—”

  I interrupt him. “I know what I’m doing! Giddy-up, Buttercup!”

  The mechanical bull gently springs to life, moving up and down like a carousel ride.

  Naomi taps Buttercup’s neck. “That’s enough. I don’t like this.”

  I push Buttercup’s button and wait for him to stop.

  But he doesn’t. I push it again, but he keeps going.

  “Mya, I said I’m ready to get off. It’s scaring me!” yells Naomi.

  I jab my thumb on the button and hold it there. That should do it.

  Oh no. Buttercup’s eyes light up. Air shoots through his nose. Good gravy in the navy!

  He’s alive!

  “MOOOOOO . . .”

  The woman’s soft voice inside Buttercup turns loud and country. “Level Ten: Turbo! Yahoo!”

  “AAAHHH!!!”

  Buttercup twists and turns ten times faster than he did before. Naomi’s flopping around like she’s made of Jell-O. “Somebody help me!”

  I look for other buttons on Buttercup. “Don’t worry, I’ll save you!”

  My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my boots. I turn to the twins for help. They’re hiding underneath the picnic table with their smoothies and the veggie tray, eating and watching.

  Nugget runs toward me. “I’ll lift you. Hit the button two times! He’ll stop!”

  My brother lifts me in the air. “Hold on, Naomi! This is going to be tricky,” I say.

  When Buttercup’s head comes down, Nugget yells. “Now, Mya, now!”

  I wrap both arms around the bull’s neck like a human lasso. Buttercup takes me up and down. For a moment, I forget about Naomi because this is the best ride I’ve had all year.

  I kick my legs in the air. “Yippeeeeee! Wooo-hooo!”

  “Mya! I can’t hold on much longer!” Naomi yells.

  I press the button twice. Buttercup slows to a stop. Naomi slides down his neck and tumbles onto the grass. The strawberry smoothie is splattered all over the front of her blue dress.

  Naomi pouts. “It’s ruined, and I just got this two days ago.”

  What have I done? My shoulders droop. “I just . . . you know . . . I’m so . . . I’ll get a towel.”

  Nugget follows me. “Don’t dirty up a towel. It’s my week to do laundry,” he whispers.

  I follow him to the garage. There’s no ka-clunk in my walk. There’s no yippee in my ki-yay. He picks up the leaf blower. “This should do it.”

  I smile and give Nugget a high five. “Great idea!”

  He holds the blower steady and dries her dress. “I’ll make you another smoothie.”

  Naomi has a red stain, bigger than my head, on the front of her dress, and the closer she gets to us, the sadder she looks.

  “I’m so sorry,” I say, sitting with the twins.

  She walks toward the picnic table with her head high, just like a beauty pageant winner. “Don’t worry about it, Mya.” Very quietly, Naomi sits across from me and folds her arms to hide the stain on her dress. “But it’s time to stop playing around. I need to tell you why I have to win those VIP tickets. La’Nique Sydney is coming to the Fall Festival. She stars in Junior High Spy. Ever watch it?”

  “I watch Junior High Spy every day,” says Skye.

  Starr agrees, “Every day.”

  “I’ve seen that show a thousand times. I love La’Nique Sydney,” I say.

  Naomi grins. “Don’t tell anybody, but I just scored a tryout for a part in the show.”

  My eyes widen. “No way!”

  Skye puts her hands to her face. “Are you serious?”

  Starr puts her hands on her hips. “You can’t be serious.”

  Naomi nods. “I’m serious. And I just found out that La’Nique is one of the judges for the Battle of the Bands. I have to win those VIP tickets so I can go backstage and meet her. Maybe she’ll put a good word in for me before my tryout.”

  Starr nods. “That’s a really good reason to want the VIP tickets.”

  “A really good reason. We’ll help you and Mya win,” says Skye.

  “We don’t really care about VIP tickets. We just want to be there,” says Starr.

  Naomi leans toward the twins. “You two are amazing friends. Okay, here’s the plan. I have to have Mya as my partner even if we have to trade for it. Skye, Starr, make sure the two of you are partners. Then the four of us will do whatever we have to do so that Mya and I have the best costumes and decorations. Let’s pinkie-promise.”

  I link my pinkie to hers. “Promise,” I say.

  Starr and Skye pinkie-promise, too. Then we all make a toast with our smoothies. After my friends leave, I knock on Nugget’s bedroom door.

  He sighs. “We’re out of bananas and yogurt. No more smoothies.”

  I lean against the wall. “Everybody’s gone.”

  “Then what do you want?” he asks.

  I gently push him. He smiles, gently pushes me back, and then closes his door.

  Chapter Five

  It’s Spirit Week partner-picking day! I’m excited, but Nugget’s gripping his backpack straps, staring at the sidewalk, and mumbling. I can tell he has something heavy on his mind.

  “Hey, wait up!” Fish holds the straps of his backpack as he runs.

  I pat my brother’s shoulder. “Here he comes. You better tell him about your plans.”

  “Hiya, Mya Papaya! Happy Hamburger Day!” says Fish.

  “Happy Hamburger Day,” I say.

  “Hey, Nugget, do you know where the first hamburgers were made?” asks Fish.

  Nugget faces him. “Yes, I do. But Solo thinks the weird holiday calendar is silly.”

  I roll my eyes. “Who cares what Solo thinks?”

  “Solo’s a show-off. Somebody needs to let him know that he’s not all that,” says Fish.

  Nugget frowns at both of us, then snaps at Fish. “You’re just mad because he’s boo-yang cool. He’s so cool th
at I hope he’s my Spirit Week partner.”

  I stop and frown. Fish stops and looks confused. We glare at Nugget, but he won’t look at us. I’m so mad that I don’t hear the footsteps behind me.

  “WATCH OUT!”

  My feet leave the sidewalk, and I crash into a pile of leaves. As I spit dirt and pull leaves out of my hair, all I can see is a pair of long legs and black ankle boots beside me. Yikes!

  Mean Connie Tate gets up first. I stay on the ground, thinking it might be smarter to play dead. She’s wearing an apron with globs of red and blue stains all over it. I bet it’s blood and guts from eating a first grader. Even worse, there’s an oily blue spot on my favorite brown vest. I wipe at it, but that only makes the spot bigger. A thunderstorm rumbles in my belly. Even though Mean Connie is way taller than me, I get up, stand on my tiptoes, and let her have it.

  “You ruined my favorite vest! Why don’t you watch where you’re going? Now I have to spend the whole day at school with . . .”

  I look at my brother, then back at the biggest bully in Bluebonnet.

  “Was I talking out loud?”

  She frowns. “Yes.”

  Good gravy in the navy.

  Mean Connie Tate is going to rip my lips off! She glares at me and points at the stain on my vest. “I won’t forget that,” she says, and then runs toward school.

  Nugget wipes at my vest. “Are you okay? You must have lost your mind yakking back at Mean Connie Tate like that.”

  Now that she’s gone, I stand tall, straighten my vest, and talk like I’m fearless. “Sometimes you’ve got to speak up for yourself, right, Fish? Fish?”

  He’s gone.

  I pinch my brother as hard as I can. “Today, you’re the biggest jerk in Bluebonnet, and I’m glad you’re not walking all the way to school with me.” I run the rest of the way and wipe at the stain on my vest. My friends are waiting for me as I open the school door.

  Naomi’s nose wrinkles as she stares at my vest. “Ew! What’s that?” she asks.

  “Mean Connie spilled paint on me. She didn’t even say sorry.”

  “It’s doesn’t look that bad,” says Skye.

  “Not that bad at all,” says Starr.