Free Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly Page B

mother. “In the Philippines, I didn’t have a car. I walked everywhere—down to the store, down to the river, down to my friends’ houses—because everything was close together. Then I came to America and learned how to drive. I learned quick.” She snapped her fingers. “And now I love it. I even cheat the speed limit sometimes. Right, Apple?”
    I wanted to die. I jumped up from the table so quickly that it rattled. I was ready to get to the dance andshow off my Cleopatra costume, but mostly I was ready to get out of the house and away from my mother.
    Finally Evan’s mom left, and we got in the car. Evan stared out the window while my mom quietly hummed. As if she wasn’t embarrassing enough.
    She dropped us off in front of the gym, which was decorated with spider webs and guarded by Principal Earnshaw, who was dressed as a pirate.
    â€œBe sure to say hello to the principal so he can forget about what happened,” said my mother as Evan and I got out of the car. She waved like a maniac to the pirate, who didn’t see her.
    Evan and I walked down the sidewalk leading to the gym entrance. I heard music thumping from inside the building.
    â€œWhy does your mom want you to say hello to Earnshaw?” Evan asked.
    â€œIt’s a long story,” I said.
    I made a point not to say a word to the principal when we passed him by.

13
Dedications
2FS4N: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

    T he gym had been transformed. Multicolored strobe lights bounced red, blue, and green across the room. Loud music blared from every corner. Refreshment tables lined the wall, and crowds of people danced, laughed, and stood around. The only thing that looked the same was the gym floor. Even though it was dark, you could still see the free-throw lines for basketball. And the bleachers still stretchedfrom the floor to the ceiling. A few kids sat on them, but most everyone was in the middle of the dance floor.
    Another thing that was the same was the smell. It still smelled like sneakers and basketballs.
    Evan and I walked in slowly, mostly because I was taking my time. My plan had been to break away from him somehow by disappearing into the crowd, but that seemed stupid now. Maybe I didn’t have to ditch him. Maybe he could just hang out with us and it would be okay.
    I ran my hand over my hair.
    â€œI like your mom,” said Evan. The loudspeakers were right by the door, so he had to shout over the music. “It must be cool to have a mother from another country. Sometimes I think my mom’s from another planet, but it’s not really the same thing.”
    â€œShe can be a little embarrassing,” I said.
    â€œYeah, I know, but what can I do? I tell her to not go out in public looking like that.”
    I smiled. “I was talking about my mom, not yours.”
    â€œOh,” Evan said. He laughed.
    â€œSometimes people have trouble understanding my mom because of her accent. It can be kinda embarrassing,” I said.
    â€œMaybe they’re just not listening hard enough.”
    Before I could reply, we were spotted by Alyssa, Jake, Gretchen, Lance, and Braden. Alyssa was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz . Gretchen was dressed as a zombie bride, and the boys were all ninjas. Alyssa waved us over, and the whole group eyed us as we walked up. I turned to the side casually so they could get a really good look at my Elizabeth Taylor eyes.
    â€œHey,” Alyssa said flatly.
    Jake pointed at Evan. “Who’re you, and what are you supposed to be?”
    Evan raised his arms. “Evan Temple, plus sign.”
    Everyone snickered. Alyssa looked at me over her glass of punch.
    â€œIs that my old headband?” she asked.
    I touched my headdress. It had been perfect for the costume, or so I thought. But now Alyssa looked at it like it was stolen, even though back in sixth grade she’d told me I could keep it.
    â€œYour costume’s