Star Time Read Free Page A

are drummers in outer space?” Peter asked.
    He sounded like her father when his socks got all mixed up, she thought. “Don’t worry. We’re going to do this together. It will be …”
    She tried to think of the word Mr. Sarsaparilla had used.
    “Enchanting,” she said at last.

    Peter began to shake his head.
    Mitchell puffed out his cheek one more time. “We’ll think about it.”
    “Think hard,” she said.

CHAPTER 6
TUESDAY—FIELD TRIP DAY
    B us Thirteen pulled up in front of the Afternoon Center. It was the worst one. It always had smoke coming out the back.
    Gina was out the door. She walked right behind Mrs. Farelli in her auditorium-colored dress.
    Today they were going to see Madam Ballantine in her play.
    It would be a long ride. They were having snacks on the way. Purple yogurt.
    Gina carried her mother’s huge purple purse. Just in case! It would cover every single yogurt dot.
    It had a bunch of other things, too:
    A writing pad for helping Peter and Mitchell.
    A pencil with the sharpest point in the world.
    A brand-new eraser that smelled like orange juice.
    And a dollar for just-in-case.
    Destiny rushed past. Gina knew she wanted to sit next to the bus driver. It was the woman who looked just like Charlie.
    Charlie came along next. He was carrying a paper bag. It was dripping a little.
    “It’s for my Wet-O Dry-O invention,” he said. “I want to see how long it takes for water to disappear.”
    Gina stepped back so Sumiko could go next.
    “Thanks,” Sumiko said.
    “Don’t worry,” Gina said. “I’m waiting for Peter and Mitchell.”
    Mitchell was last.
    That made her last, too.
    “Where’s Peter?” she asked.
    “Home with double earaches,” Mitchell said.
    They had to sit in seats at the back. Not a great spot.

    Very bumpy for the yogurt!
    But never mind that.
    “Did you think hard?” she asked Mitchell.
    Mitchell didn’t answer. He was trying to balance his yogurt on his writing-the-play pad.
    Gina pointed to the pad. What a mess it was, with those cross-outs. There was a big rip down the middle, too.
    Mitchell took a huge spoonful of yogurt.
    She almost said, “Watch out!” But it was too late.
    Yogurt dripped on Mitchell’s shirt and jeans.
    Even his chin was purple.
    The bus lurched.
    A huge glump of yogurt landed on Gina’s knee. It was wet; it was cold. All because of Bus Thirteen.
    It was a good thing she had the purse.
    “Yeow!” Charlie yelled. “My Wet-O Dry-O invention is all over the floor.”
    “I knew it,” the driver said.
    The bus bumped up to the curb. “Hold on,everyone!” the driver yelled. The bus rolled to a stop. “This bus is trouble.”
    “Oh, no,” Destiny said. “We’re going to miss the play.”
    Gina looked down at the writing-the-play pad. It was filled with little purple yogurt blobs.
    “Don’t worry,” the driver said. “Another bus will be along soon.” She began to sing. “Row, row, row your boat …”
    The driver was right. In a few minutes, Bus Eight came along.
    It was the best one.
    Everyone began to rush off Bus Thirteen. Quickly Gina stuck her mostly empty yogurt cup into her purse.
    “Want me to put your write-the-play pad in my purse, too?” Gina asked Mitchell. “Plenty of room.”
    “Good idea,” Mitchell said.
    They climbed onto the new bus.
    Gina made sure to hold the purse over her yogurt-splatted pants.

    And then they were at the door of the Star Theater.
    “Hurry,” said Mrs. Farelli.
    Inside, it was dark. Gina didn’t have to worry about yogurt stains and huge purses.
    She’d talk to Mitchell about the play later.
    She sank down into the plushy seat.
    A moment later, the curtain started to rise.
    The play was ready to begin.

CHAPTER 7
STILL TUESDAY
    G ina sat between Mitchell and Destiny. Her purse was smushed against her knees.
    She looked at the huge blue curtain in front. It looked like velvet.
    The dark was like velvet, too.
    Gina loved it.
    The curtain was still rising slowly. Everyone began