Chapter1 Great News Charlie pumped her legs the swing going higher and higher as she chattered to her friend Leo I’m going to lead the whole Blueberry Festival parade she said throwing her head back and smiling She looked up at the sky and leaned back farther Leo laughed He pumped his legs faster to try to get his swing as high as Charlie’s Leo and Charlie met in preschool They’d been best friends ever since 6
Both Leo and Charlie liked to be adventurous Their parents called them The Tornadoes They were always trying to outdo each other Charlie usually won She was just a little bit braver Leo liked that about her They did everything together except when Charlie was at gymnastics Leo was playing hockey I still can’t believe Coach picked me She said it’s my big break Charlie squealed Will you be there My mom said we can go as long as the baby doesn’t come before Saturday Leo said His mother was pregnant with Leo’s fourth brother They planned to name him Joe Stay in there two more days little buddy Charlie laughed The Blueberry Festival parade was the biggest party in town every year People 7
came from all over to watch or be a part of it Only the best gymnastics and dance teams got to perform in the parade Charlie’s gymnastics team would be at the very front of the parade leading the whole thing Charlie had never been so happy When her coach asked if she would be the team leader in the parade she couldn’t wait to tell Leo Will you throw me some beads Leo asked Of course Charlie said I’ll save you the best ones Leo grinned and twisted in his swing trying to make it spin Charlie did the same Time to get back to class everyone Their teacher Miss Weaver stood up from the picnic table and gathered the papers she’d graded during recess One two three jump Charlie yelled 8
She launched herself off the swing hit the ground and fell over OWWWWWW Charlie screamed clutching her leg Tears streamed from her eyes Leo dragged his feet to slow his swing and rushed over to her Miss Weaver ran over too She took one look at Charlie’s leg and her face turned sick-looking Don’t move Charlotte Grace Miss Weaver said Leo stay with her Miss Weaver scrambled to her feet and rushed back to the picnic table She grabbed her walkie-talkie and spoke quickly Leo heard her say Call an ambulance 9
