The New Friend Fix by Jennifer Torres

Author:Jennifer Torres
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2022-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

I explain how Señora Galindo called Mami last night and how I’m getting an invitation too. “She says our invitations got misplaced by mistake.”

We both know it was not a mistake.

“At least we get to go,” he says. “Now all I need to do is find Esme the perfect welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift. Then she’ll know Jazmín was wrong about me.” He flips to another section of his notebook. “I’ve narrowed it down to five ideas.”

I try to peek at Pablo’s list, but he slams the notebook shut.

“Don’t worry, I already have my own list,” I fib. “And Esme’s going to love my gift best.”

I turn and march into the classroom.

Pablo follows close behind. “How can you be so sure you know what she likes? You’ve barely talked to her.”

“Well, neither have you,” I say as I take my seat.

Luckily, Ms. Coleman gives us a chance to fix that. Later that morning, when it’s time for social studies, she divides the class into small groups. “Esme, why don’t you join Catalina and Pablo?” she says.

We slide our desks over to make room, but Esme doesn’t move. She looks down at the floor and twists one of her braids.

Jazmín raises her hand. “Ms. Coleman,” she says before she’s even called on. “Shouldn’t Esme be in my group? Since she’s my cousin?”

Pablo looks at me, eyes wide. “See? Just like Secrets of the Castle,” he murmurs.

Ms. Coleman stands beside Jazmín’s desk. “It’s very thoughtful of you to look out for your cousin. But it will be good for Esme to make other friends too. And Catalina and Pablo will take good care of her.” She turns to us. “Won’t you?”

We nod eagerly. Finally Esme moves her desk toward ours.

Once everyone is in a group, Ms. Coleman gives the instructions. “First I want you to list the communities you belong to,” she says. “As many as you can think of. Then, in your groups, talk about which communities you and your partners have in common.”

I can’t tell if Esme is listening. She’s doodling at the edges of her notebook paper. It’s the same house I saw in the drawing on the Galindos’ porch, with pink and orange roses in the front. This time there’s a gray cat next to it.

“All right, everyone,” Ms. Coleman says. “Go ahead and get started, and let me know if you need any help.”

Normally Pablo and I follow directions as carefully as we can. But this might be our only chance to get to know Esme before the tardeada, so we take it.

“I see you like to draw,” Pablo says. “What kind of pencils are your favorite? Colored pencils? Mechanical pencils? Grease pencils?”

Esme hesitates. “I don’t know,” she mumbles without taking her eyes off her paper. “Just… regular pencils, I guess?”

Pablo scribbles something in his notebook.

“What about erasers?” I ask. Erasers are very important. They help you fix mistakes.

“Um… aren’t they all sort of… the same?” Esme says. Her voice is so quiet, I can hardly hear her.

Pablo smacks his hands against the desk.

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