Jodie: This is the Book of You by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Author:Randa Abdel-Fattah [Abdel-Fattah, Randa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781925064537
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I could no longer cope with carrying the secret of my break-up mission alone. I was ready to tell Deyana and Rania.

‘I have to tell you something,’ I told them at recess on Monday. ‘My parents will probably be getting back together.’

They shrieked and threw themselves at me, hugging me.

‘Wait!’ I said, holding my hand up. ‘Let me explain. It’s not what you think.’

I told them everything and when I finished I clasped my hands together and grinned. ‘Well? Brilliant, huh?’

They were frowning. I wasn’t getting the reaction I’d hoped for.

‘Won’t your dad get upset?’ Rania asked slowly.

‘I seriously don’t think people get together again after a divorce,’ Deyana said.

‘You don’t get it!’ I burst out angrily. ‘He can’t see that he’s not supposed to be with Carla. If Mum were to change a bit he’d realise she’s just like Carla, and he’d fall in love with her again.’

They didn’t look convinced.

‘You’re supposed to be my best friends,’ I said, hurt. ‘You’re supposed to stand by me. Why are you taking their side?’

‘We’re not taking anybody’s side,’ Deyana said. ‘Come on, Jodie! We know you. You’re not the kind of person who hurts other people. The other day it was you who told Mr Horton we’d made a mistake about the mouse. When you do something wrong, you’re the one who feels the most guilty. It’s always been that way.’

‘We’re your best friends,’ Rania said softly, ‘which means we tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear.’

I stood up angrily. Something weird came over me and I lashed out. ‘I know my parents. I know the truth! And I know what’s right for them!’

And with that I stormed off.

It was easy to avoid Rania and Deyana for the rest of the day seeing as we weren’t in the same class. When the final bell rang I made a dash for the school bus.

When I got home I found Mum on the exercise bike. I kissed her hello and then went up to my bedroom and threw myself face down on my bed. I cried for a while and then, feeling slightly better, I turned over onto my back and looked sideways at my bookshelf. I was so proud of my book collection. I remember Dad used to take me to a bric-a-brac market on Sunday mornings to buy second-hand books. Sometimes Mum would come too and we’d go out for breakfast afterwards. I wanted so badly for things to go back to how they used to be, when it was just the three of us and my life made sense.

Why couldn’t Rania and Deyana understand that?

Why My Life Doesn’t Make Sense

1. My family and life are UPSIDE DOWN.

2. I’m being picked on by an anonymous bully.

3. I’m probably going to have an official step-mum and stepsister.

4. Mum has no one but me.

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