Emma on Thin Icing by Coco Simon

Author:Coco Simon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Spotlight

CHAPTER 7

Between a Rock and a Dress

I spent the weekend counting money and adding numbers. I didn’t even want to ask my parents for half the money for the dress, let alone all of it. I needed a plan to get to $250. I’d have to really scrimp on after-school treats, like getting candy for Jake or going to the movies. Then I’d have to up the dog walking and the cupcake making. The only problem was they kind of used the same time slot and the dog walking paid better. I can do this, I thought. I can plan this out. But how?

I was still thinking about it when I left school on Monday and walked to the bike rack. I was nearly next to Matt before I saw him waiting for me by my bike.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi, yourself,” I said, eyeing him suspiciously. “What’s up?”

“Well . . . I was wondering if we could trade days. If you could do today, I’ll do tomorrow, I swear.”

I sighed. I could barely figure out my plans, and they were already getting messed up. I was supposed to go to Katie’s today to make cupcakes for Henry Garner’s birthday party tomorrow. I could bring Jake, I thought. He couldn’t be that bad. Plus, tomorrow was a dog-walking day, so maybe it would be better if he were with Matt then.

“Fine,” I said.

The relief in Matt’s face was obvious. “Thank you so much,” he said, and he actually seemed to mean it.

“What do you have?” I asked. “Practice?”

“Uh . . .” Matt looked awkward for a second, and then looked a little embarrassed. “You know how I like to fool around on the computer?”

I nodded.

“Well, there’s a three-hour intensive workshop for graphic design down at the computer center at the library, and I didn’t realize it was today. Don’t tell Mom and Dad, though, okay? I’m paying for it with my birthday money from Grandma.”

“Cool,” I said. I was surprised, though. Not that I really cared what Matt did, but I thought it would be something dumb, like pizza with the guys. I guess he didn’t want to ask Mom and Dad for money either. We looked at each other for a second, understanding. “Well, good luck,” I said.

“Thanks,” said Matt, and he took off.

That was probably the most civilized conversation I’ve had with him in months, I thought as I pedaled home. I wasn’t due to be at Katie’s until four thirty so I’d go home, change, get Jake, and head over.

Poor Jake was not psyched about going to Katie’s until I reminded him that he could lick the bowl (and the beaters, he insisted), and he could watch Katie’s TV.

“What’s up, Cupcakers?” I asked, trying to smile brightly as we arrived. “I’ve brought my apprentice, Officer Jake Taylor, along with me today.” Then over his head I mouthed, Sorry.

Jake saluted the girls, and while Katie and Alexis giggled, Mia solemnly saluted him back. She was his favorite, and I could see why.

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