Free Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allen Page B

bunch of cotton balls stuck to my blouse and pants, with cotton on my nose.
    â€œWhere did you find that sheep’s outfit? It looks so real compared to mine,” I say.
    â€œI didn’t know sheep wore cowgirl boots,” says Starr in an ugly tone. I don’t say anything smart back because I’m trying to get Starr and Naomi to be friends with me again. But after a moment, Starr’s eyes look away. Maybe she felt bad for being mean.
    Naomi’s blue gown is gorgeous. It’s got silver lace on the collar and at the bottom that matches her silver slippers. The front of her dress has two rows of silver zigzaggy lines that go all the way to the back. Her blue bonnet has silver around the edges, too.
    â€œWow, Naomi, are you . . . Bo Peep, too?” I ask.
    She’s still staring at Connie, who’s getting books out of her cabinet.
    Naomi crosses her arms. “Well, Connie, are you supposed to be Bo Peep?” she asks.
    Connie ignores her. Naomi walks slowly to her cabinet, which isn’t far from mine, and makes fun of us.
    â€œThat is the saddest Bo Peep and lost sheep costume I’ve ever seen. Mother Goose would be so mad if she saw the two of you. If it comes down to who’s the better Bo Peep, I’m going to win. Anyway, Connie, haven’t I seen you in that dress before?”
    Connie slams her cabinet door and leaves the Cave.
    â€œWait, Connie! We’re supposed to walk in together, remember?”
    She doesn’t stop. Naomi giggles. As Connie storms off, a part of me hurts because I told Naomi our plans. But the other part of me feels good seeing Naomi happy. I close my cabinet and stand next to her, hoping she’ll finally talk to me. And she does.
    â€œWhere’s Nugget?”
    My shoulders droop. “He should be here soon,” I say. I hoped she’d tell me that I’d made up for the mistake I made by giving her the tip about Connie and me, but she didn’t.
    Naomi moves closer to me. “So, Mya, what are you and Connie wearing tomorrow?”
    I think about Connie, and how hurt she looked when she walked to class alone. I didn’t know Naomi and Starr were going to be copycats. I still want to help Naomi, but I’m not going to give away any more Spirit Week secrets.
    So I shrug. “Not much you can do with just sharing gloves and boots.”
    â€œLet me know when you find out.” She turns to Skye and Starr. “Let’s go, girls.”
    I touch Naomi’s shoulder. She frowns, but I say what’s on my mind. “I was hoping we could hang out again. I mean, since I’m trying to help you win the tickets.”
    Naomi lets out a belly full of air. “Not yet, Mya. But I’m thinking about it.”
    I’ve got hope running up and down my insides because Naomi didn’t give me a flat-out no. My lucky boots are working! Maybe I have a chance to be her best friend again. I rub the horseshoes on my boots and then ka-clunk into class. The first face I see is Connie’s. I quickly take my seat. Maybe if I don’t look at her, I won’t feel so bad.
    But I feel horrible.
    There’s got to be a different way to make Naomilike me again. Maybe if Connie and I win, I’ll give Naomi my VIP ticket! What a perfect idea! That way, she’ll get to meet La’Nique Sydney, and I won’t hurt Connie! That will prove to Naomi that I’m still her best friend, and hopefully she will feel the same way about me. I can’t believe I’m thinking about giving my VIP ticket away. But Naomi’s worth it.

Chapter Fourteen
    T oday I’m wearing three braids, one on each side of my head, and a big one in the back.
    I’ve got my blue boots on with the teddy bears and hearts. My lucky boots are at home, but maybe nothing bad will happen today. I’m still wondering why Connie didn’t make fun of me yesterday when I told her about these rubber boots. I’ve had them since