How to Get Dirt (S.E. Campbell) by S. E. Campbell

Author:S. E. Campbell
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: young adult
ISBN: 9781621351535
Publisher: Astraea Press
Published: 2013-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

A persistent sound of knocking came from downstairs. Pickles ignored it and continued to draw her picture for art class. Vaguely, she heard Miranda open the door and say something. But it was the familiar voice who answered that brought Pickles’ head up. Mrs. Beazley! It was Mrs. Beazley. With a happy cry, Pickles dropped her pencil then left the room at a sprint.

She hurtled down the stairs, jumped the last three, and then launched herself at Mrs. Beazley with her arms spread wide. Mrs. Beazley hugged her so hard air left her lungs in a squeak. Her heart sang with joy so great it took her breath away.

“What about me?” asked a hopeful voice from the doorway.

Pickles glanced around Mrs. Beazley. Prudence stood behind her, grinning and waving. Fierce joy began in her heart and coursed through Pickles. When she hugged Prudence tight, she realized how lonely she had truly been at school. She missed sending Prudence notes and giggling about teachers. She missed long talks at lunchtime and group projects.

“I missed you so much,” Pickles said, stepping away.

Miranda wore a frown on her face when she turned. Pickles wasn’t one hundred percent sure why.

“Mrs. Beazley, I’ve been meaning to speak with you,” Miranda said. “David and I were actually going to call you tomorrow.”

Mrs. Beazley’s face became stony. “I see. Well, I’m here now. Why don’t we have Pickles show Prudence her room? We can discuss what you need to over a cup of coffee before I take the girls to lunch.”

“We’re going to lunch?” Pickles and Prudence both asked at the same time.

“If it’s okay with your guardian,” Mrs. Beazley said, looking at Miranda.

“It’s fine,” Miranda said, though she didn’t smile. Concern washed over Pickles as she stared at Miranda. What was she thinking?

Prudence grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the stairs. “Come on! I want to see your room.”

“Go on, Pickles,” Mrs. Beazley said. “I’ll come get you in a few minutes.”

Even though Pickles didn’t want to, she went up the stairs with Prudence in front of her. But her thoughts remained behind, with the adults.

I wonder what they’re talking about, she thought, as she reached the top landing.

After opening the door, Pickles beckoned Prudence inside of her room. Prudence gasped at the ivy wallpaper and the princess canopy bed. Pickles shut the door behind them, then headed over to her bed and flopped down on it while Prudence wandered around the room letting out gasps of awe.

A moment later, Prudence flopped back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling too.

“What are we doing?” Prudence asked breathlessly.

“I’m staring at the ceiling.” Pickles turned her head to stare at her friend. “What are you doing?”

“Okay,” Prudence said, launching to her feet. “What’s the matter? Mrs. Beazley said you called her — didn’t say about what — and she wanted me to come with her to visit you. Now you’re all sad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sad. Your eternal optimism is one of your most loveable and annoying traits.

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