Free The Mealworm Diaries by Anna Kerz Page B

there.”
    He was searching for a place to wait, a place with enough shrubbery to protect him from the wind, when the sight of another runner stumbling around a curve made him groan. Only one person he knew ran like a wounded duck. Aaron.
    Aaron looked as if he’d been attacked by a roving mud puddle. He was caked with the stuff, and the mud on his arms and legs was reddened by the blood oozing from his knees and elbows.
    â€œHey, Jeremy.” Aaron waved. He seemed happy enough in spite of the way he looked.
    â€œHey, Aaron.” Jeremy tried to hide his annoyance. “Keep going. You’re almost there.”
    But Aaron stopped. “I can’t find the rabbit,” he said.
    â€œThe rabbit’s long gone. Just keep going and you’ll get to the finish.”
    Aaron didn’t leave.
    â€œFor crying out loud, Aaron!” Jeremy shouted. He didn’t want Aaron around when Karima arrived. “Go! Go on!”
    Aaron stayed.
    Jeremy took a breath. “Come on,” he said and he began slowly jogging beside Aaron to get him restarted. Aaron started all right, but every time Jeremy stopped, he did too. Finally, not knowing what else to do, Jeremy ran on.
    The girls’ rabbit and the first of the girl runners lapped them as Jeremy steered Aaron into the chute to finish dead last in the boys’ race.
    Seconds later Karima flashed through. She disappeared into a circle of laughing girls before he had a chance to congratulate her. He realized then that waiting for her had been a dumb idea. She’d have outrun him on the way back anyway.
    Still, he couldn’t help being annoyed with Aaron. He spoils everything , Jeremy was thinking as he joined his mother and Milly, who were talking with an older woman. That woman leaned out and grabbed Aaron when he walked by. She pulled a sweatshirt over Aaron’s head and helped him put his arms into the sleeves. His grandmother? Had to be.
    â€œYou must be Jeremy,” she said with a wide smile when he approached. “It was so nice of you to go back for Aaron.”
    Jeremy shook his head. “I didn’t…,” he said.
    â€œIt’s no wonder he talks about you all the time, says you’re his best friend ever. Right, Aaron?”
    Jeremy felt trapped. He was sick of Aaron. Sick of Aaron telling the whole world they were friends. “We’re not friends,” he blurted out.
    The woman’s smile vanished. Milly and his mother exchanged glances. “We’re not friends,” he said again. “The teacher says we have to work together, but we’re not friends, are we, Aaron?”
    If Aaron heard, he didn’t answer. He was picking off the crusty layers of drying mud and blood that matted the fine hair on his legs.
    â€œJeremy,” his mother said, her voice filled with disapproval.
    He glared at her. I won’t apologize , he thought. I won’t. You can’t make me. But she didn’t say anything else. She just looked at him and her look was…sad? Disappointed? He wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t face it and he turned away.
    Beside him Aaron was still picking dirt from his knees, while his grandmother fussed. “Stop that,” she said. “Stop that!” and she tried to pull Aaron’s hands away. Then, sounding a little helpless, she turned to Milly. “I’ll have to find someplace to clean him up.”
    â€œThey’ve got wet towels at the first aid station,” a new voice said, and Jeremy turned to see Karima. She smiled and gave him a little wave, but she spoke to Aaron.
    â€œHey, Aaron,” she said. “You’re a mess. Come on, I’ll show you where you can get cleaned up.” And to everyone’s surprise Aaron followed her.
    Jeremy watched them walk away. He could see Karima lean towards Aaron and say something. Whatever it was, it made Aaron laugh, and Jeremy felt a little jealous. That’s where he wanted to be,