by Annie Bryant
“I declare this meeting perfect, and if we can study for one hour, we’ll still have some time left to visit. Maeve, it’s seven fifteen. If we study for an hour and ten minutes, how much longer can we visit?”
Maeve looked at Avery. “Be quiet!”
Each girl laughed, scooted off alone, and got to work. Maeve opened her math book and started to work some problems. She looked at her watch and gave herself ten minutes per problem, which was Matt’s new suggestion for desensitizing her anxiety about working under pressure. Avery started reading a new book for English class. Isabel sketched some ideas for cartoons for the next issue of The Sentinel. Katani was designing a cover for her social studies report. Charlotte finished her paper quickly, then decided to write an article for the paper about friendship.
It was eight o’clock when Charlotte heard the doorbell ring, then her father called to them.
“Girls, can you take a break? There are some people here that I think you’d like to speak to.”
Who would be at Charlotte’s door, wanting to see any of them? They slipped on shoes and hurried downstairs.
Mr. Ramsey had closed the door. Charlotte opened it slowly, then swung it wide.
Nick, Dillon, Pete Wexler, and the Trentini twins stood on the doorstep. Dillon grinned and pointed to his bruised eye, now purple, green, and brown. “Trick or treat,” he joked.
Nick smiled at Charlotte, who felt her face heat up. She hoped it was too dark for him to notice.
“It must be time for a break,” Billy Trentini said. “Your father said you were studying, but we know better.”
“We were studying, Billy,” Charlotte said.
“Yeah, I’ll bet.” Dillon looked at Maeve. “You were studying math all evening.”
“Not all evening. We had other things we needed to talk about.” Maeve gripped Charlotte’s arm so hard that Charlotte almost squealed before she could stop herself.
“Well, I declare recess.” Nick grinned. “Time for some fun. How about some games of speed checkers at Montoya’s. My dad said he’d keep the shop open for a private party.”
“Excuse us for a minute.” Avery shut the door. “We have to vote on this, and all of us have to agree we’re through with our work.”
“Avery!” All the BSG stifled giggles.
“All in favor of taking a speed-checkers break, signify by saying yea.”
The yeas were unanimous. Mr. Ramsey waved an okay to Charlotte. Avery opened the door. “We would be honored to accompany you to Montoya’s. But we all have to be back here by five minutes of nine. Agreed?”
“No problem,” Nick said.
The girls grabbed their jackets and joined the boys to walk down to Beacon Street for a game of speed checkers at Montoya’s Bakery.
“This is more fun than the Party of the Year,” whispered Charlotte to Nick. Nick reached out for Charlotte’s hand.
To: Sophie
From: Charlotte
Subject: Song Writer
Dear Sophie,
You will not believe that I am now officially a song writer. Riley Lee, a boy I hope I have mentioned, who formed a band called Mustard Monkey, took a poem I wrote and set it to music. The song has a verse about Orangina. I will attach the whole poem here. I wish you could have been at the party to hear the song. I miss you. If you have written any more poems, please send. If you have found Orangina or seen him again, please tell me.
Au revoir, Charlotte