Читать книгу Dance, Belle, Dance! - Beth Huffman - Страница 8

Kylie and I have been best friends since kindergarten. She only lives two streets over and we’re always together. We can’t stand it if we go more than two days without seeing each other. I knew she’d be surprised that I was alone when we met at the bus stop.

“Macey, is Belle sick?”

“No. She’s fine.”

“Then where is she?”

Right then the bus pulled up. “I’ll tell you on the way to school.”

When we were in our seats, we huddled together like we always do when we’re sharing secrets. I tried to whisper because I didn’t want anyone to hear me. “Kylie, you wouldn’t believe how she acted at the open house. I was afraid what she’d say next. She was out of control.”

“Did she do something really bad?”

“Yeah, she did. You know those colored markers that Mrs. Heldman always keeps on her desk? Belle grabbed a blue one and drew lines on her legs and hands.”

“You’re kidding! Why did she do that?”

“She saw some boy do it and thought it looked fun.”

“Wasn’t she afraid of getting in trouble?”

“No. She never worries about that.”

“That’s kinda scary, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. That’s not all. She put the blue marker in her pocket and brought it home.”

“What? That means she stole it. How did you find out?”

“She showed it to me. That’s why she isn’t riding the bus. Mom took her to school this morning. She has to return the marker and apologize to Mrs. Heldman.”

“She’s probably nervous, isn’t she?”

“That’s just it, Kylie. She isn’t nervous at all. She’s not even embarrassed. She acts like it never happened.”

“Did your parents really yell at her?”

“No, but they kept telling her why she can’t take things that don’t belong to her. Then they made her promise that she’d never do it again.”

“Did she promise?”

“Yeah, but I know she didn’t mean it. The whole time they were talking, she was playing with the zippers on her backpack.”

“Macey, when I talk to Belle, she says strange things every now and then. Maybe she can’t help it. I know she gets on your nerves but I feel sorry for her sometimes. Don’t you?”

“No. I don’t feel sorry for her at all. I feel sorry for Mrs. Heldman. Belle is going to drive her crazy this year.”