Spirit Week Showdown Read Free Page B

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.
    â€œThen 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.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” says Starr.
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œWill 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
    D ing-dong.
    â€œNugget, they’re here! Hurry up with those smoothies!” I open the door.
    Naomi and the twins look down at the long red bathroom rug I put in the hall.
    â€œWhy 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 outin 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?”
    â€œI most certainly did,” he says with his chest puffed out.
    She takes a seat and plays with her hair. He rolls his eyes.
    â€œThanks 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.
    â€œOh 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