Read Online Shaken Up by Alex Morgan - Free Book Online Page A

smiles as we got into Mom’s car to head to the pizza place.
    â€œI wish I knew what you guys were up to,” I said.
    â€œIt’s no big deal,” Jessi replied. “Anyway, you’ll find out soon.”
    When we got to Pizza Kitchen, Emma, Frida, and Zoehad already found us a round table. Tied to one of the chairs was a silver-and-blue helium balloon with the words “YOU’RE AWESOME!” written on it. Emma pulled out the chair and motioned for me to sit.
    â€œYou guys are too much,” I said as the balloon bounced against my head.
    â€œWell, you are awesome,” Zoe said.
    â€œWe ordered a pepperoni pizza,” Emma said. “No pineapple or kale or anything.”
    I smiled. My friends knew that I still hadn’t gotten used to California pizza toppings.
    â€œExcellent!” I said. “So, what is this about? You can’t keep me in suspense any longer!”
    â€œOne more minute,” Emma said as a server came by with a tray of drinks and set one down in front of each of us. Emma picked up her glass and motioned for the rest of us to do the same.
    â€œTo Devin!” Emma said, clinking glasses with us.
    â€œTo Devin!” my friends repeated.
    I was sure I was blushing. “Seriously? It’s not like it’s my birthday or anything.”
    â€œNo, but let’s just say it’s We’re Grateful for Devin Day,” Emma said. “You have always helped us out when we needed it. Now it’s our turn to help you.”
    â€œAww, guys,” I said. “You’re so sweet, but I mean, we all help one another.”
    â€œBut you started it,” Zoe said. “Everything changed when you came to Kentville, Devin.”
    That was a huge thing for Zoe to say, and I almost wasn’t sure if I had heard her right. I looked around the table and saw Jessi, Emma, and Frida all nodding in agreement.
    â€œYou gave the Kicks the drive to win,” Emma said. “I thought I was a lousy soccer player, until you figured out that I would make a good goalie. I never even thought of that, but you did.”
    â€œYou’re not just a good goalie; you’re a great goalie,” I told her.
    â€œAnd you helped me get my math grades up so I could stay on the team,” Jessi said. “I owe you big for that, Devin.”
    â€œYou don’t owe me anything!” I insisted. “I’m your friend.”
    â€œAnd I hated soccer, remember?” Frida asked. “My mom was forcing me to do it, and I dreaded every practice and every game. But you taught me how to make it fun, by imagining I was acting every time I was on the field. It really works.”
    Emma nodded. “Besides, it’s hilarious.”
    â€œTotally,” I agreed.
    â€œAnd you helped me, too,” Zoe said. “I froze up like an ice cube every time I got onto the field. But you’re the one who figured out that Frida could help cure me by teaching me her tricks for overcoming stage fright.”
    â€œAnd now you’re a superstar!” Frida said.
    â€œNot a superstar, but it feels so good to be confident on the field,” said Zoe. “So I know how you must feel to lose your confidence out there. It stinks.”
    I nodded. “Yes, it does,” I said. “But you guys don’t need to thank me for all that! I was all alone when I came to Kentville. I didn’t know anybody. You guys came to my rescue, remember? You were so nice right from the start, and you stuck by me when we tried to fix the Kicks.”
    Jessi grinned. “Well, if you put it that way, I guess we’re all pretty awesome.”
    Then the server brought our pizza, and the smell of pepperoni suddenly made me ravenous. We all dug into our pizza slices.
    â€œThanks so much for everything,” I said after my first bite. “It really helps to hear all this stuff.”
    â€œOh, we’re not anywhere near finished with you,” promised