Free Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allen

not going to make stuff up. I close my eyes, trying to think of the times I’ve been with Connie over the past few days. My mind drifts back to the display she fixed at our store, and drinking smoothies at the Burger Bar.
    Naomi’s voice turns mean and startles me. “What are you smiling about?”
    My eyes open. She’s staring at my face, frowning.
    â€œThis is serious, Mya,” she says.
    Before I can answer, she turns and leaves me standing at the Spirit Week board.
    On the way back to my seat, I catch a glimpse of Connie. She’s smiling and making goofy faces at me. I don’t want to laugh, but can’t help it as I rush back to my seat. Holy moly. She can never find out what I did.
    It’s time for history, and I reach inside the basketunder my chair for my book. But as I bend over, it dawns on me why I couldn’t tell Naomi any horrible things that Connie did to me.
    There was nothing to tell.

Chapter Thirteen
    T uesday morning, I’m eating oatmeal when the doorbell rings.
    Ding-dong!
    â€œI’ll get it,” I yell. When I open the door, Solo’s standing there in a gray shirt, gray pants, a gray hat, and sunglasses.
    â€œYo, I’m looking for Nugget” is all he says.
    I roll my eyes and holler toward the stairs. “Nugget!”
    He takes the steps two at a time coming down. He’s dressed in gray just like Solo.
    â€œWho are you supposed to be?” I ask.
    He pulls a pair of sunglasses from his back pocket and puts them on. “I’m one of the three blind mice,” he says, strutting to the door.
    â€œWhat are you and Solo going to do about the third blind mouse?”
    Nugget shrugs. “Miracles happen. We’ll just say the third one got his sight back. Who cares? I gotta go, Mya. Solo doesn’t like to wait. Nice sheep outfit. See you later.”
    I close the door and make my way to the breakfast table. Dad walks by, gives Mom a kiss, and gets his hat, and just before he grabs the doorknob, he turns to me and stares for a long time. Without moving, he calls out to Mom.
    â€œHoney, call Animal Control. There’s a sheep sitting at our breakfast table.”
    I giggle. “It’s my Spirit Week costume,” I say.
    He tries to sound like a sheep. “That’s one baaaaaaad costume, Mya! Have fun. See you this afternoon.”
    Dad leaves, and then quickly comes back. “There’s a Bo Peep–looking person out here waiting for her lost sheep to finish breakfast.”
    I ka-clunk to the door. Connie’s in the prettiest long blue gown with a white hat that ties underneath her chin. She’s wearing her black ankle boots,but it’s okay because I’m wearing my boots, too.
    â€œHow do I look?” she asks.
    â€œYou look awesome! Where did you get that dress? It looks like a Cinderella gown! And is that a real shepherd’s staff?”
    Connie grips the long stick and holds it straight. “Yep, it’s a genuine shepherd’s staff. It belonged to my grandfather. Pretty cool, don’t you think? I wore this gown two years ago for a . . . special occasion. I’m surprised it still fits me. Ready?”
    â€œLet me get my backpack.”
    As Connie and I walk down the sidewalk, cars honk and people wave. Some even shout out at us. “Hey, Bo Peep! Glad you found your sheep!”
    We laugh and keep walking. Connie touches the cotton on my nose.
    â€œYour mom did an amazing job on your sheep costume, Tibbs. You were right. She’s awesome on the sewing machine.”
    It makes me feel good to hear someone say something nice about my mom. I glance at Connie and then quickly look away. Never in a thousand years would I expect compliments to come out of her mouth. But she’s right. Mom is awesome on the sewing machine. Before she started staying at home to get ready for the baby, she helped Dad at the storeby working the cash register, ordering supplies, and helping