Free The More the Merrier by Stephanie Barden Page A

surprised at how my what’s what turned out. I figured I’d tell Rosemary T. how I was really feeling, and the air would clear and that would be that. Then she would go back to her old self, and things would be like they were before.”
    We both sat there all quiet, and I spun Aunt Flora’s bracelets around and around my wrist.

    â€œI like your bracelets,” Erin finally said after lots of minutes.
    â€œThanks. My aunt said I could keep them forever as a reward for catching Miss Purvis.”
    Kristy and Olivia came in and sat down in their places at the table.
    â€œHave you been studying a whole bunch, Cinderella?” asked Kristy.
    â€œI’ve been trying,” I said.
    â€œGood,” said Olivia. “Because we’re all counting on you.”
    â€œYeah,” said Kristy. “I think the whole class is, except the Rosemarys’ table and Zachary.”
    â€œI want to win for sure,” I said. “But if we happen to end up having a unicorn party, I don’t think it will be too, too terrible.”
    Nobody said anything, so I said a little bit more. “Even if you don’t believe in them, I think you could still have fun.”
    â€œIt’s more than just the party,” said Olivia. “It’s the Rosemarys.”
    â€œYeah,” said Kristy. “It’s all their clubs and how they leave people out and call people names.”
    â€œI couldn’t believe they called you a baby in the middle of the lunchroom,” said Olivia. “You’re one of their best friends.”
    â€œNot anymore,” I said. “Rosemary T. told me she doesn’t want to be friends, and she kicked me out of all of her clubs.”
    Kristy started patting me on the back to make me feel better. “I’ll be your friend.”
    â€œMe too,” said Olivia.
    â€œThanks,” I said. And then I had an AHA! “Maybe we could start our own club.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” said Erin.
    â€œWho can be in it?” asked Olivia.
    â€œEveryone,” I said.
    â€œWhat should we call it?” asked Kristy.
    â€œI’m not sure,” I said. “Oh, wait. I know: the More the Merrier Club.”
    I had been nervous about the whole spelling bee thing, but when we got to school that night I got even very, extremely, more nervous. There were eighteen chairs smooshed across the stage—six for fifth graders, six for fourth graders, and six for third graders—three from each class. Mrs. Bentley, our school secretary, called all the spellers to the stage and put us in seats alphabetically. I ended up between a fourth grader named Isaac Shaffer and Rosemary T., which was a little bit awshucksible. She gave me mean stink eyes like she’d been doing all day and sat on the very edge of her chair away from me.
    â€œWelcome to the tenth annual Laurel Hill Elementary School Spelling Bee,” our principal, Mrs. Shu, said. She started to go over the rules, and I started to pay very good attention and forgot all about Rosemary T.
    â€œRule number one, the contest shall be conducted in rounds. Each speller shall spell one word per round, and applause shall be held until the end of the round.” Mrs. Shu looked very serious at the audience. I did too, because I was looking to see if my mom and dad were there yet; but there were still two empty places next to Aunt Flora.

    â€œRule number two, spellers may ask to have a word repronounced, defined, or used in a sentence. Rule number three, spellers must pronounce the word, spell the word, and pronounce the word again. Rule number four, when it is your turn to spell, you shall stand at the microphone and spell slowly and clearly. And last, the most important rule of all, have fun!”
    The audience started to clap and then stopped. They must not have known if that counted as the end of a round or not.

    â€œLet’s begin.” Mrs. Shu nodded to Melissa Allen,