Take Two by Julia DeVillers Read Free Book Online

serious about her family-eats-dinner-together time. She said it helped a happy family stay together or something.
    â€œSchool was actually great,” I said. “Emma helped me when my locker was stuck!”
    â€œAnd Payton saved a seat for me on the bus!” Emma added.
    â€œAnd I think I’m going to do well on my next math test. Thanks to Emma’s helping me study after school,” I said.
    â€œIt was my pleasure,” Emma said. “And Payton was very helpful to me after school, too. With . . .”
    Come on, Emma. Remember your line.
    â€œWith my homework!” Emma finished.
    What? There was no way I helped her with her homework! We’d rehearsed this! How can Emma remember longmath problems but not her line? My parents looked at us suspiciously.
    â€œPayton helped you with your homework?” my mother asked.
    â€œUh, well . . .,” Emma said, trying to recover. But it was hopeless.
    â€œSo, spit it out. Where are you going with this happy-sister act?” Dad asked.
    â€œWell, there’s an educational activity I would like to go to,” Emma admitted. “It would give me new technology skills and enhance my social networking opportunities.”
    â€œBut Emma can’t go,” I said. “We’re grounded.”
    â€œRight,” Emma said. “So I guess that means I can’t go.”
    Emma sneaked a look at my parents. They continued eating.
    â€œSo,” I repeated. “I guess that means Emma can’t go.”
    â€œThat wasn’t too obvious,” my dad said. “Emma, just ask.”
    â€œOkay. May I please go over to Quinn’s house?” Emma asked.
    â€œWhat is the educational aspect you were talking about?” my mother asked.
    â€œShe wants to show me some computer technology,” Emma said. “Oh, okay. That’s just YouTube videos. She just wants me to come for a social visit.”
    â€œBut really there’s an educational part about it,” I said. “Emma needs to learn how to have friends.”
    â€œI am glad you’re making new friends, Emma,” my mom said. “But we take grounding very seriously.”
    â€œWe do too,” I told my mother. “But Emma is already enough of a social freak. She needs to hang out with someone who actually invited her to their house!”
    â€œIsn’t that a little harsh?” Emma sputtered.
    â€œWell,” my dad said. “I can’t remember the last time Emma was invited to someone’s house. Wait, does this girl want to copy your homework, Em? You need to be cautious.”
    â€œOkay! Forget I asked!” Emma said. “Just because I have valued my academics over social activities in the past—and continue to do so—does not mean the word ‘freak’ should be involved.”
    â€œSorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean freak. What’s the word I was looking for? Weirdo? Oddball? Loser?” None of them sounded right. . . .
    Emma put her head in her hands.
    â€œEnough about poor Emma,” my mom said. “I think it’s a good idea. Plus, we got an e-mail from Counselor Case today that you both are doing splendidly on your school service jobs.”
    She looked at my father. He nodded.
    â€œI think we can consider a break from the grounding,” my mom said. “But to be really fair, Payton should probably be allowed to go somewhere, too.”
    Yay! Bonus!
    â€œFriday night is teen night at the skating rink,” I suggested.
    â€œI was thinking more along the lines of a study session with a friend at the library,” my mother said.
    â€œOr, I could call Tess and we could work on our English paper at the library,” I said quickly.
    My parents both smiled.
    â€œIf you continue to do well, we can discuss ending the punishment period altogether,” my mom said.
    Yes! Emma and I high-fived across the table.
    â€œI believe you girls are learning your