Free The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary Page B

family a lot if I could get a scholarship. And to get a scholarship you have to take part in activities. I figured that if I worked on the school paper I would get credit for an activity and an English course at the same time.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” said Shelley, admiring Hartley’s ability to plan ahead. They sat in silence, each thinking about individual plans for the future.
    â€œI think doughnut holes taste better than doughnuts,” said Hartley. “Maybe it is because they were your idea.”
    Shelley wrinkled her nose at Hartley. “I think we had better go,” she said, glancing at her watch. “I’m not sure what time the Michies expect me to be in.” And the funny part of it was that since no one had mentioned when she should come home, she was eager to return early.
    They said little on the way home. Hartley parkedthe car outside the privet hedge and walked Shelley to the door, which she found was unlocked. She opened it and Hartley stepped into the front hall with her. A lamp was shining in the living room, but Shelley was not sure whether she should ask Hartley to sit down or not.
    â€œI won’t stay,” Hartley said, as if in answer to her thoughts.
    â€œI had a good time.” Shelley meant it, even though she would have preferred spending the evening with Philip.
    â€œI like you, Shelley,” said Hartley directly. “You make me feel as if I were seeing things around me for the first time. Like pepper trees. And that pomegranate tree. I’ve seen it all my life and never thought anything about it except when I was a kid and we used to snitch pomegranates at Halloween. But you make it seem as if having a pomegranate tree growing down the street is something special.”
    Shelley smiled, not knowing quite how to answer. A girl always enjoyed hearing a boy say he liked her. Before she could think of an answer, she began to have an uneasy feeling that she and Hartley were being watched. She glanced up overHartley’s shoulder, and there in the transom over the unused door at the end of the living room was the face of Katie, beaming down at her like a Cheshire cat.
    Why, she must be crouched on top of the refrigerator, thought Shelley in astonishment, and at the same time she noticed that the transom had been opened.
    â€œUh…” said Shelley, ill at ease under the interested eye of Katie. “Well, uh…thank you, Hartley. I had a good time.”
    â€œShelley, I…” Hartley began.
    â€œGood night, Hartley,” said Shelley firmly and with what she knew was false brightness. Darn Katie anyway. Little snoop.
    â€œGood night, Shelley,” said Hartley, looking puzzled and a little hurt.
    â€œSee you at school,” said Shelley, realizing that the pleasant evening was ending on an awkward note. “You know, Latham, Lathrop.”
    â€œWe can’t miss, can we?” answered Hartley. “Good night, Shelley.”
    Even if Hartley was not Philip, Shelley did not want him to go away with his feelings hurt. She glanced at the transom and saw that Katie was stillwatching with avid interest. She could not think of a thing to say so she said, “Good night, Hartley.”
    As Shelley closed the door, she heard the thump of Katie jumping to the floor. Wait till I get hold of her, thought Shelley. Just wait. If Katie thought she was going to let her get away with spying on her just so she could tease…
    Shelley did not have to wait. Katie appeared in the living room in her pajamas. “Shelley, he said he liked you!” she exclaimed. “Aren’t you simply thrilled to pieces ?”
    â€œWhy, yes, I am pleased.” Shelley admitted cautiously. Katie’s reaction was not at all what she expected.
    Katie looked at Shelley with admiration shining from her face. “It must be wonderful to have a boy say he likes you!”
    Shelley did not have the heart to scold.
    â€œI know I