Poisoned by Kristi Holl

Author:Kristi Holl [Holl, Kristi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-310-39966-7
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Published: 2011-12-24T05:00:00+00:00

7

caught in the act

Jeri scrambled up from the beanbag and dashed for the brightly lit hallway. She crouched down and spotted two brown ants marching up her leg. “Yuck!” She brushed them off and stomped hard on them. Jeri sighed in exasperation. Rosa’s cupcake wrappers and cracker crumbs were an open invitation to ants and other bugs.

Back in the room, she removed and shook out her T-shirt and shorts, then put on pj’s. First thing in the morning, she’d make Rosa get rid of the food or store it in a tight plastic container. Crawling under the covers, Jeri snuggled down, muttered a quick prayer for God to kill the ants, and then dropped off to sleep.

Over Mexican food for lunch in the dining hall Thursday, Jeri and Rosa argued about keeping food in

their room. Finally Abby interrupted. “I’ll have a good surprise for you after school if you stop fighting.”

“We aren’t fighting.” Rosa stood abruptly. “See you later. I’ll only be around a few minutes after school though.”

Jeri looked up from her taco in surprise. “Why?”

“I’m going shopping with Shauna,” she said casually.

“Really?” Abby asked. “Ms. Carter said you can go shopping on a school night?”

“I ran out of some stuff I need for my art fair project.” Rosa shrugged and then grinned. “Can I help it if the art supply store is next to the pizza place?”

Jeri knew Shauna was old enough to drive. “Why does a girl that old want to go shopping with a sixth grader?”

“Because I’m fun,” Rosa said, bristling. “Some people think I have a great sense of humor.”

“I think you’re funny,” Jeri said, stung by her tone. She forced herself to smile. “I hope you have fun tonight,” she said. “Really.”

Rosa paused and then flashed a huge smile. “Thanks. I will. Anything you want me to bring you?”

Jeri gave her a playful punch on the arm. “How about some bug spray?”

That evening after supper Jeri worked at her computer. She was trying—without success—to make her article exciting when Abby stuck her head in the door.

“Hey, mate, fancy a brownie?” she asked. “They’ll be done in two minutes.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice!” Jeri shoved back from her computer and followed the blonde British girl downstairs. “Another home ec project?”

“No, Ms. Carter just said I could make some.”

“So you’re feeling okay now?”

“Just tired. I hate being sick.” She smiled. “Brownies just sounded really good today.”

Jeri grinned. “Chocolate always sounds good. A chocolate brownie doeth good like a medicine,” she said, misquoting one of her mom’s favorite Bible verses.

She followed Abby into the kitchen where Abby handed her a warm brownie on a paper napkin. She took a small bite. “This tastes so good,” she said. “I hope you made enough.”

Abby finished cutting the brownies, placed them on a plate, and grabbed a handful of paper napkins. She led the way to the living room. There five girls sat on the floor around the large coffee table, creating scrapbook pages. Jeri leaned over Emily’s shoulder to see.

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