Claudia's Big Party by Ann M. Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

It's more that you have separate groups of friends. One group goes with this part of your life," Josh tore his pizza slice in half and put one part of it on his plate. 'And another group goes with this part." He placed the second half on a napkin. "I'm part of this seventh-grade group, but I don't know the BSC group that well. And, sometimes I'd like to be our own group - Josh and Claudia." "I feel more like a piece of taffy than pizza," I said. "Pulled and tugged between my friends, my family, and homework. I wish there was a fun way to bring everybody together," I added, thinking out loud. "Like a party." "How about a taffy pull?" I laughed. "I was thinking of a get-acquainted party." "That sounds like fun. Why not do it?" Josh asked.
     
    I shook my head. "I don't think my parents would let me throw a big party." After Josh walked me home I tried to come up with another way to bring the different groups in my life together. As I passed by Janine's room, she spun her chair toward the door. "Did Josh enjoy the cookies?" she called out.
     
    I wasn't sure what he'd done with the cookies, but I called out, "Yeah," and continued toward my room.
     
    I sat on my bed. I knew my friends would like one another if they had a chance to get to know one another better. I looked up to see Janine in the doorway, leaning against the jamb.
     
    "Did you finish your science assignment?" she asked.
     
    "Mom helped me with it. She wouldn't let me go out with Josh until I finished." Janine continued to stand there. "Would you like to join me in a game of - " "I don't think so," I said before she could even finish asking. Janine likes games that test the brain, and I'm no match for her. "Don't you have something to study tonight?" "I'm reading the most fascinating book for extra credit in my English class. It's a novel about chess. You know I don't usually enjoy fiction, but this particular plot is almost mathematical in its precision," she said.
     
    "Sounds great," I mumbled as I felt underneath the bed for the bag of M&M's I knew was there. When I pulled it out, Janine was holding out her hand. I poured some M&M's into it. Maybe I could get used to spending time with Janine.
     
    "You know," said Janine thoughtfully, "you've managed to maintain relationships with your seventh-grade friends as well as your eighth-grade friends, even now that you've returned to the eighth grade, haven't you?" "I'm trying," I said, suddenly realizing that my problem wasn't so bad after all. Here I was, feeling as if I had too many friends, but it seemed as if Janine didn't have any friends at all. Maybe that's why she was so interested in my life all of a sudden.
     
    "We could work ahead in your math book," Janine suggested.
     
    "Nah," I said.
     
    "Maybe I'll go back to my room." She popped the last two M&M's into her mouth. "See you in the morning." "See you," I said, collapsing back against the pillows. How could I fit more hours into the day? That's the only solution I could come up with for managing to keep all my friends happy.
     
    By the time our Monday BSC meeting rolled around, I still hadn't come up with any ideas about how to bring my seventh-grade friends, Josh, and my BSC friends together.
     
    Abby had run to the meeting again, and Jessi was showing her some stretches that she could do to cool down. Stacey was writing in the BSC notebook, and Mary Anne and Kristy were looking at a magazine. Mallory was sitting on the floor, leaning against my bed. She seemed to be studying her fingernails.
     
    "How did you do on your social studies test?" Stacey asked Mal as she handed her the BSC notebook.
     
    "Okay. I think I got an eighty-six." Mal passed the notebook to Mary Anne without even opening it. She had barely smiled when she'd arrived that afternoon and hadn't smiled once since. And an 86 on a test? Usually, she'd consider that near failing. I noticed Jessi's