Getting the Boot by Peggy Guthart Strauss Read Free Book Online Page B

beaming. It was, without a doubt, the best thing that had happened to her all week.

To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Basta!
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    Dear Tyff,
    Now I know why they call Rome the Eternal City—I feel like I’ve been here an eternity! This place is totally overwhelming.
    It’s exhausting trying to remember everything here—the money is different, the language is different, and I don’t get the people here at all.
    The craziest thing is the way people drive. Cars and scooters come at you from every possible direction. Everybody speeds, changes lanes without looking, and screams at you if you get in their way. Just stepping off the curb you take your life in your hands.
    My suite mates and I aren’t getting along too well—we’re like total opposites. It totally sucks, because we share this tiny room.
    I really, really wish you were here. I haven’t heard from you for ages—hope you haven’t forgotten all about me this summer. Write to me and tell me everything! I can’t wait to get out of this place, sleep in my own bed, and spend time with some true friends who actually understand me.
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    Love you lots,
    Kel
    Kelly was awakened Saturday morning by a screeching soprano.
    â€œCan you please turn that down?” Kelly yelled to Minnie, pulling the pillow over her head. All she wanted was one more hour of sleep, but the music kept blaring. Kelly sighed and threw her pillow on the floor. There was no going back to sleep now.
    She threw open her door and stomped into the common room, where Sheela and Minnie were poring over a thick Italian-history book.
    â€œDo you guys mind?” Kelly said. “It’s totally rude to blast music when people are trying to sleep.”
    â€œIt’s past noon, Kelly,” Sheela said. “And we have a quiz to study for.”
    â€œIsn’t that what the library is for?”
    Sheela sighed. “You know, you weren’t so considerate last night when you woke me up by dropping your shoes on the floor at three A.M.”
    â€œI’ll take that over these horrible, ear-piercing shrieks anytime,” Kelly said.
    Minnie opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, then shut it. Her lip started its familiar quivering. “Fine. I’ll listen in my room.” Once again, Kelly stood in shock as Minnie’s door slammed in her face.
    â€œThat went well.” Sheela sighed and stood up. “I’m going to get some lunch. Do you want to come?”
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    â€œI don’t understand why you’re always taking their side.” Despite the scolding she was surely about to get, Kelly was thrilled to finally have Sheela to herself for a little while. Sheela was usually so busy studying with Minnie or Jarvis that seeing her alone was like getting an audience with the pope.
    â€œSiding with them? Please, I feel like I’m being paddled back and forth between the three of you like a Ping-Pong ball. I just don’t understand why you go so far out of your way to antagonize them.”
    This was too much. “Me! I’ve been patient as a saint with those two nightmares. What did I do?”
    â€œWell, none of us like that you bring Joe back to the room all the time. He’s noisy and he’s obnoxious. I can’t imagine why you’re so smitten with him.”
    Kelly shook her head. “You’re being unfair—he’s just joking around with you guys. And I don’t see how sitting in a public area with a friend makes me antagonistic.”
    â€œOkay, then how about the fact that you made Minnie cry again today?”
    â€œThat’s totally not my fault. She was being a jerk blasting her music. All I did was ask her to turn it down.”
    Sheela sighed patiently. “Kelly, I’m sure your intentions were good, but last week you told her that her wardrobe stinks, and today you ripped into her beloved opera. You’ve