Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun by Hena Khan

Author:Hena Khan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2022-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

“You’re at forty-three minutes!” Gloria squeals after checking the timer again. “Almost an hour already. Jade won’t want to miss this.” She dashes back to her house to get her sister. I haven’t even broken the record yet, but it’s working already! I’m starting to feel like the Queen of the Neighborhood again.

Jade comes out flapping her hands to dry her sparkly silver nail polish while everyone fills her in. Someone announces every time another minute passes. Listening to them chatter does help the time go by. And with the lively music in the background, it feels like a party.

“So, I have all these new ideas for the clubhouse,” Jade shares. “We could have a spa day—do our nails and braid our hair and stuff.”

“Sure,” Naomi says. “Or we could make things.”

“Like pottery?” Gloria chimes in. “I’ve always wanted to make mugs. Or baskets.”

Baskets? Gloria knows I took basket weaving! And we’ve talked forever about making mugs and painting them!

“All of that sounds good,” Naomi says.

“Want to finish decorating the clubhouse?” Jade asks. “I think my nails are dry enough.”

“What about Zara?” Naomi asks.

“She’s got hours to go. We’ll come back and check on her soon.”

“Need anything else, Zara?” Gloria asks me. “Want more water?”

“I’m good,” I say, trying to act casual even though their conversation is making my thoughts start to swirl. Why are my friends in such a hurry to leave already? Isn’t this exciting enough?

“It’s your dad!” Gloria points as Baba’s car turns onto our street and heads toward our driveway. I forgot that he’d be coming home after Zayd’s lesson.

“He can’t pull into the driveway! Can you move without stopping, Zara?” Naomi asks.

“I’ll tell him,” Jade volunteers. She walks over to the car, and Baba rolls down the window.

“Hi, Jade.”

“Hi, Mr. Saleem. Do you think you can park on the street? Zara’s breaking the world record and can’t move.”

“Oh, is she now?” I can’t see Baba’s face but hear in his voice that he’s smiling. “Sure.”

A few moments later Baba comes up the driveway, after checking our mailbox. Zayd is in his swimming trunks behind Baba, dragging his wet towel on the ground. My father glances at the timer.

“Fifty-two minutes? Seriously? Good job, Zara!”

“Thanks,” I manage to say. But it’s getting harder to speak. I’m saving all my energy to keep hooping for at least five more hours.

Zayd runs into the garage and brings out his bike.

“Don’t bother them, Zayd,” Baba warns as he rifles through our mail.

“I’m not! I’m going to ride until I’m dry.”

“And then come inside and eat lunch, okay?” Baba says.

“Okay,” Zayd agrees as he perches on the bike seat and watches me.

“Oh, look!” Baba holds up something bright. “Mr. Chapman sent a postcard from Florida.”

I glance at the card and make out a palm tree, but my attention is still on the girls. They turn their backs and start to walk to Naomi’s yard, leaving me with Melvin and Zayd. I can’t tell if the twisting in my gut is from disappointment or all the hooping.

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