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

look of concern when Mal announced her grade. We were all concerned about Mal.
     
    "Did Josh have a good time Saturday night?" Mary Anne asked.
     
    "He said he was too nervous to enjoy it," I admitted.
     
    Mary Anne nodded. "Logan said the same thing." "Ethan thought everything went pretty well, considering. He said meeting new people isn't his favorite thing," said Stacey.
     
    So I'd been right. All the guys had felt as awkward as Josh had. "But sometimes it's good to mix with different people," I said.
     
    "When?" asked Mary Anne.
     
    "When you've just beaten the pants off them at softball," Kristy said.
     
    "When you're trying out for a part in a ballet," Jessi offered.
     
    "When you're running past them on the street," mumbled Abby, her head touching the floor between her outstretched legs. I stared in wonder. I knew I couldn't do that.
     
    "I don't know which is worse: meeting new people who don't know anything about you, or having to see the same old faces and hear the same old comments every single day," Mallory said.
     
    Her response was the only one that was serious.
     
    "What I mean is that I had to meet new people and make new friends when I went back to seventh grade, and those people are still my friends," I said.
     
    "Yeah?" said Stacey.
     
    'And I wish there was some way they could get to know you guys and you guys could get to know them." "What if we went out for pizza together?" Abby suggested.
     
    I figured Josh wouldn't be very anxious to go out to eat with a new group of people anytime soon.
     
    "We could go to the mall together," Stacey said.
     
    "Josh may have had one too many shopping trips with 'the girls' already," I answered.
     
    "Well, you'll come up with something," Stacey assured me.
     
    I wished I could feel as confident about that as Stacey sounded. I wondered how hard taffy had to be pulled before it broke apart.
     
    Chapter 7.
     
    What a day to be late, I thought as I ran the last block home on Thursday afternoon. Mom and Dad had a plane to catch and I'd left school only after promising to call Joanna, then Stacey, and finally Josh. With Mom and Dad gone, I might be able to do it.
     
    The front door hit a suitcase when I opened it. "I'm here!" I called out as soon as I'd caught my breath enough to speak.
     
    'About time!" Mom said as she and Dad joined me in the hall. "We were worried the car would arrive before you did. Janine, we're almost ready. Come on down." Mom opened the door and looked outside. "Oh, the car is here now. We did almost miss you." She hugged me.
     
    "I left the phone number of the hotel along with that of the Simpsons posted beside the phone in the kitchen," Dad said as he slipped on his overcoat.
     
    "If anyone calls, take a message and tell them we'll call back. For heaven's sake, don't tell them we're gone for the weekend," Mom reminded us. This was something I'd known to do since kindergarten.
     
    "Check to make sure the doors are locked before you go to bed," Dad added.
     
    "Mom. Dad. I'm perfectly capable of remembering the basic rules of safety at home," Janine said. I nodded.
     
    "Don't hesitate to call Russ and Peaches if you need anything, anything at all," Mom said. "Claudia, your face is flushed. You don't feel feverish, do you?" "I was hurrying home to tell you good-bye. I feel fine." I took her hand and placed it on my forehead so she could feel for herself.
     
    "If you do feel ill..." "I'll call the pediatrician, Russ and Peaches, the Simpsons, the neighbors, and put an ad in the paper," Janine said. Then she picked up Mom's suitcase and handed it to her.
     
    "You go and have a good time. We'll be fine," I said. I kissed Dad, then Mom.
     
    "There are casseroles in the freezer. The instructions for heating them are on the containers." Mom had stopped