READY OR NOT It’s Saturday morning and since school starts Monday I have to decide what color to paint my nails It’s a big decision because I know Mary Ann will want to paint hers the same color I open the drawer in my bathroom where I keep my nail-polish collection and try to decide on a color Light blue Purple Dark green I’m not sure 8
I take my cell phone out of my pocket and send a text to my best friend Mary Ann doesn’t text right back which probably means she’s having as much trouble deciding as I am Or maybe she’s waiting for me to get to her house so we can decide together 9
Messages 10 03 AM Mary Ann 97 What color should we paint our nails Is light blue too babyish for 5th grade Purple or dark green maybe We get together every year before school starts to make sure we’re ready and that’s what we’re doing today IDK I grab a few of bottles of polish and stuff them into a bag Then I put Cheeseburger back on my bed and give her a goodbye pat I walk to the kitchen to tell Mom I’m ready to go Someone is excited says Mom when I walk into the kitchen Mary Ann and I have a lot to do to get ready I tell her Mom looks at Max who is sitting at the table He’s busy texting which is something he’s been doing a lot of lately I’ll be back 10
in twenty minutes Mom says to Max But he doesn’t look up Are you texting Sam again I ask him He texted her a lot on our trip to the Grand Canyon I try to look over Max’s shoulder but he pulls his phone to his chest That just confirms my suspicions I give my brother a do-you-really-think it’s-a-good-idea-to-be-texting-a-girl-who-isn’t your-girlfriend look But Max ignores me and keeps texting I follow Mom outside I can’t wait to get my schedule tomorrow It’s going to be so much fun to have homerooms I really hope my friends and I are all in the same one I tell her as we drive off Mom laughs I’m not sure you’ll all be together but I’m happy to see how enthusiastic you are she says I’m not sure why but I’m extra 11
