Off to a Bad Start Wait for me Abby called She raced down the steps of Perry Elementary School Abby’s best friend Sydney stopped and turned around Kids rushed past her to find their buses I thought we were going to talk about our Community Helpers Project at recess Abby said zipping up beside her Where were you A bright yellow leaf whisked across Sydney’s sleek blonde hair and skittered off Sydney turned her back to Abby She looked up the street at the row of buses and cars 4
Katie and I walked down to the swings she finally said We can work on it this afternoon Abby suggested Do you want to come over My mom is picking me up Sydney said She wobbled her front tooth with her finger I’m going to the dentist remember Abby made ade I a face I forgot Maybe e t o m o r r o w then You can sleep over I already asked my mom Falling leaves s suddenly rained ned down on the girls girls 5
heads They stuck in their hair and piled up on their book bags Hey Abby yelled turning to see who was throwing them Dakota stood grinning behind them His freckled cheeks were red Oh it’s you Abby giggled as she untangled a leaf from her brown curls You’re so lucky Dakota You already know what you are doing for your project Sydney and I don’t have one yet Sydney shifted from one foot to the other She didn’t look at Abby as she said Abby I do have a project Mom asked if I could help at our church Katie and I are going to visit Evergreen Nursing Home twice a week with Pastor Elizabeth Abby’s lower lip stuck out Tears stung her eyes Why didn’t you tell me before Sydney I thought we were going to do a project together I’m sorry Sydney said looking at the sidewalk Katie goes to my church 6
My mom talked to her mom about the project without telling me A blue van pulled over to the curb Sydney’s mom waved at Abby and Dakota See you tomorrow Sydney said I’ll ask about sleeping over Best friends forever Abby called But Sydney just waved The van door slammed shut Abby kicked at the leaves by the curb as the van sped away What will I do for a project now she asked Dakota I’m going to miss my bus Dakota yelled He ran off dragging his book bag behind him The canvas scraped and bounced on the cement Abby stood alone Bye she called But Dakota didn’t hear her He was already climbing into the bus Abby turned to cross the street She wished Sydney was walking home with her 7
