Free Shaken Up by Alex Morgan Page A

not feeling as self-conscious about how noisy my breathing was. Zoe and I did it together, taking the quick breaths for ten seconds before breathing normally. We repeated that two more times, and I felt the energy surge through my body.
    I jumped up to my feet. “I’m ready!”
    â€œLet’s go!” Zoe said. “You attack. I’ll be the defender.”
    I had the ball under my foot and started dribbling it back and forth with Zoe guarding me. I faked going to the right and instead used my left foot to take the ball to the side, away from Zoe. I dribbled it down the yard as she raced to keep up. All the anxiety I had been feeling drifted away. It was just me and the ball. I raced back down the field as Zoe chased after me. I was in the soccer flow again, and it felt so good.
    For the first time in a week, I felt a little more like myself again. And it was all thanks to Zoe and the Kicks!

Things had gone great with Zoe, and she’d helped me relax so much that I thought for sure I’d get a good night’s sleep. It seemed like I might when I started dreaming about being on the soccer field, like I had visualized with Zoe. Everything was going smoothly. In my dream I had a huge smile on my face as I was about to make a goal, but then the field started shaking under my feet. The ball bounced away from me, so high that it launched into the sky. It became a tiny dot before disappearing completely. Coach Darby blew her whistle. “Devin! For losing the ball, you’re benched for the rest of the season.”
    I woke up, my heart pounding. The thought of being benched for the season was a total nightmare! It took me a while before I could finally fall back asleep. Would I ever get a good night’s sleep again?
    Even though I spent another day at school feeling half-awake (at least this time I didn’t fall asleep in class!), I got a burst of energy when I rode the bus home with Jessi. She had a surprise for me but wouldn’t say what she had in store. I couldn’t wait to find out what it was!
    â€œMmm-mnn,” she said, her lips shut tight. As soon as we had gotten onto the bus, she had pretended to zip her mouth together, lock it with an imaginary key, and throw the key over her shoulder.
    â€œCome on. Give me a clue,” I whined in what was a very good impression of Maisie.
    Jessi reached up to her lips and pretended to unlock them. “This is a real test of your patience,” she said, emphasizing the word “test.”
    Hmmmm. Test. My World Civ makeup test was scheduled for this Monday, and I had to admit that I was a little nervous about it. But I suddenly realized I was about to get some help.
    â€œYou’re going to help me study for my test!” I shrieked.
    A broad grin spread across Jessi’s face. “That’s right. I’ll never forget how you helped me with math. I just hope I’ll be half as good a study buddy as you were, Devin.”
    I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My brain had gone on the fritz when it came to ancient Rome, but now I had my very own gladiator to help me battle to victory!
    When we got off the bus and walked to Jessi’shouse, Mrs. Dukes was waiting for us at the door.
    â€œI’ve got some study snacks all ready for you girls,” she said as she smiled. “Including Jessi’s favorite brain food—banana sushi!”
    I couldn’t help but make a face. Bananas? And seaweed, rice, and fish? I had heard of some weird California food, but this was by far the strangest.
    Jessi saw my face and laughed. “Don’t worry, Devin. It’s not real sushi.”
    Mrs. Dukes laughed along with Jessi. “All I do is take some peanut butter and spread it on a whole wheat tortilla. Then I take the entire banana and roll it up. I slice it, and ta-da! Banana sushi!” she explained.
    â€œYum!” I said as my stomach growled. Lunch seemed like a long time ago.