CHAPTER 1 BACK IN TIME You’re late I said glancing at my watch Jacob shrugged and flung his backpack on the table Better late than never I told you my sailing lesson wouldn’t be over by eleven Jacob Saville and I took sailing lessons at Bourne Community Boating We took lessons together last year But after he barked orders at me one too many times my parents switched me to private lessons Sh came a voice from behind us We turned to see Mrs Nelson the librarian smiling The Jonathan Bourne Public Library has rules She tapped on a poster behind her desk Rule 2 Use Quiet Voices She pointed to a room with glass windows Maggie if you’re going to talk use the study room please 7
I picked up my backpack and laptop and headed across the room Jacob grabbed my elbow Let’s stay here I wiggled free I don’t want to upset Mrs Nelson She’s helped me with a lot of projects He patted my back Okay you’re in charge Ha That was a joke Jacob never let anyone be in charge of anything When we sailed together he acted as if he were the captain When we played kickball at recess he changed the rules and picked the teams And last year when we had class elections he told everyone who to vote for And it wasn’t for me I got clobbered I swore I’d never speak to him again And I didn’t Until yesterday That’s when Mr Vincent our science teacher paired us up for a research project I can’t work with him I grumbled That’s why I’m partnering you up said Mr Vincent In the real world you’ll have to work with 8
all sorts of people It’s important to find ways to compromise and get along But this isn’t the real world I whined It’s sixth grade Jacob waved his hand in the air I don’t care who I get for a partner I can deal with a girl Deal with a girl I asked Like a girl is something to deal with Mr Vincent winced Maggie a percentage of your grade is based on cooperation You’re not off to a good start Understand I lowered my voice Understood It’s just that I have straight As and Mr Vincent frowned and crossed his arms over his chest Sorry I whispered So today I’m stuck working with a kid I don’t like I pushed Mr Vincent out of my head and decided to focus on keeping my grades up At least I wasn’t still taking sailing lessons with him 9
