Read Online Queen of Likes by Hillary Homzie - Free Book Online

worry that someone your age won’t have the . . . uh, maturity.”
    â€œI’m very mature for my age!” I spurt out. “I’m the tallest girl in my class, almost. And it’s not like I’m going to crayon on anything. I can do this,” I say with determination.
    Neda lets out a deep breath and studies me. “I see you’d really like to do this.” Well, that’s a good start. Her telling me that I couldn’t do it makes me want to prove her wrong.
    â€œI can do this for sure,” I say.
    â€œLet’s try each other out, then. Your mother tells me that you need about twenty hours of service.” She peers at a calendar on her desk. “That means if you come twice a week for about three weeks, you’d be good. That would put Thursday, March 22 as your stop date.”
    â€œSounds good,” I say.
    Neda pushes her glasses down her nose and peers at me intently. “Would you be interested in helping to write up grants? Oh, forget that question. We’re going to skip over to the bottom here.” The bottom would be her list of intake questions, I guess. Maybe I’ve passed some sort of test. I think, suddenly, I’m feeling almost excited.
    â€œAre you good with computers?”
    â€œReally good.”
    â€œCopy machines? Printers?”
    I nod. “Well, yeah, I’m good at fixing the printer when it jams at our house.”
    She clicks her long nails on the table. “And do you have a favorite time period?” Neda scoots even closer to me, as if that might jog my brain. “The 1840s? The 1890s? World War I?”
    â€œUm, well. Nothing really in particular,” I say. “It’s all interesting.”
    â€œFine. Noted.” She runs something down on her pad. “Well, from the sounds of things, you’re an excellent photographer. And that’s an area where we could use a lot of help.”
    â€œGreat,” I say, and suddenly my heart is pounding. For some reason, I didn’t think a historical society would have a lot of photos, but it makes sense, of course, that it would.
    â€œListen, I’ve got a meeting with the fund-raising committee soon.” She glances at her watch. “So I’ll expect you back here on Thursday afternoon. Will that work for your schedule?”
    â€œI’m pretty sure. I’ll check with my mom. But I think so.”
    â€œGood.” And for the first time, Neda almost smiles.
    And I sort of smile back at her.
    â€œWe’ll look forward to seeing you on Thursday, then,” she says. “You’ll get a tour, and we’ll put you to work.”
    â€œI’m looking forward to it,” I say, and maybe this time I’m not lying.
    My Stats:
    0 interest in filing old papers
    2 pairs of black glasses observed
    1 half-dead birthday balloon observed and un-popped
    1 person with orange-y lipstick who I want to prove is wrong about me being immature
    1 new volunteer community service job that is on a trial basis

    Mood: Mad that I have to try out to volunteer!

9
    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7: DAY 4 WITHOUT LIKES
    Advisory Ruin
    In advisory, I realize that I have forgotten to give Ella back her phone. I had borrowed it right before school when I was complaining to her about the historical society. Oh well, might as well take full advantage of having it. Suddenly, an announcement from Principal Wallace comes over the PA about Spirit Week:
    â€œMerton Dolphins, get ready for some Spirit Week fun. Monday, March 19 will be Crazy Hair Day! Don’t forget to bring a can of food for people in need! Tuesday, March 20 will be the hot dog–eating contest! Wednesday, March 21 will be Twin Day! The last day for the canned food drive will be Thursday, March 22. And Friday, March 23 will be School Color Day and the Spirit Rally. The Spirit Week dance will be after school that day at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. Go, Dolphins!”
    Oh, that gives me an idea.