The Friendship Matchmaker by Randa Abdel-Fattah Read Free Book Online Page A

with Lucy. In case you get stuck.”
    “That would be fantastic.”
    I sat down and took out a piece of paper from my purse. I carried it with me for moments just like these. That is what you do when you live to help others at any minute.
    When I finished, I handed her the list. It was just a quick pick from my more detailed Manual, which no one was going to see until Harry Potter’s publishers accepted it.
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    TOPICS TO STAY AWAY FROM
    1. Anything your parents talk about. For example, politics or bills or the environment.
    2. Any health or medical problems you have (like itchy toes, warts, or lice).
    3. What your parents think about you. For example, “My mom says I have a beautiful voice” or “My dad says I have the face of an angel.”
    4. Talking about how you love a teacher.
    5. Talking about how you love schoolwork.
    6. If you hate any popular singers or actors, just keep it to yourself. Some people love their celebrities more than their families and will have a meltdown if you disagree.
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    When Tanya finished reading the list she looked up and said, “Most of this is what
we
actually talk about.”
    I shrugged.
    “Like how we don’t like Justin Bieber.And how we love creative writing in English. And how our parents think we’ll be great writers one day.”
    “I told you, home and school are different. If you want to survive school, you have to come as a new person. It’s fine for you to share that stuff with me. I’m the Friendship Matchmaker. I made the Rules, so I know the right time to bend them. And I would never bully you, so you’re safe with me. But we’re trying to find you a best friend. You won’t know what she’s really like until you’re close to her. So play it safe at first. Okay?”
    Tanya smiled. “Okay, Lara. Whatever you say. You know what you’re doing. And honestly, I’m just so happy you chose to help
me
out of everybody.”
    “It’s my duty, Tanya. I have a gift. I’d feel terrible if I didn’t use it. Okay, we’ll do Bungee Jump Friend at lunchtime. Try to relax and stay calm until then.”

    “I want you to get into pairs for your next lesson,” Ms. Pria said.
    I tried not to groan.
    “I want you to design a project about the environment, because next Wednesday is our school’s Save the Planet Day.”
    “Do we get the day off?” Jemma called out.
    “No, Jemma, we obviously do not get the day off.”
    There was a collective moan.
    “I want to see some enthusiasm! You’ve all just returned from summer break. A day off should be the last thing on your mind. Naj and Edward, that better
not
be a jar with a grasshopper in it! Whatever it is, put it away right now. The pair who comes up with the best project in the class will get a prize.”
    “What kind of prize?” Terry asked.
    “Hand up next time, please, Terry. The prize will be a bag full of goodies.”
    “What kind of goodies?” Kevin asked.
    “What does it matter?” Ms. Pria snapped.
    “Well, we have to decide if it’s worth doing a good job, don’t we?” Chris said.
    “This project is not optional, Chris. And I’d really like to see something more thana blank piece of paper with your name on it this time.”
    “Can I hand in a blank piece of paper with my name
and
my partner’s name on it?”
    The class laughed.
    “Chris! You will have detention today during lunch. I’ve had just about enough of your back talk for one day!”
    Chris grinned, as happy as if he’d just received a student of the year award.
    Bethany raised her hand. “What does the project have to be about, Ms. Pria?”
    “It must address recycling, reusing, or waste.”
    Bethany squealed. She had the same look of joy you see on people’s faces when they win a game show on TV.
    Of course, Chris couldn’t resist and yelled out, “What if we recycle Bethany? We could use her as a garbage can at the front of the school, and everybody can throw their empty cans and bottles at her. She’d love that!”
    He started laughing