Free Mia's Baker's Dozen by Coco Simon Page B

embarrassed. I had no idea what kind of revenge Sydney was going to take on me. But for the first time in a long time, I felt . . . free. And pretty happy.
    I grinned at my friends. “I cheese you guys so much!”

CHAPTER 15
    I Figure Out Some Things
    T he next night Eddie helped me with my homework again, and it went really well. Eddie seemed happy.
    â€œI knew you could do it, Mia,” he said. “Keep this up and maybe you can stay in that advanced class.”
    â€œYou’re really good at explaining things, that’s why,” I said. “You should have been a teacher.”
    Eddie looked really pleased. “I always thought about being a teacher. Who knows? Maybe I’ll give it a try someday.”
    As I was closing my book I heard a little ringing sound from my cell phone, letting me know a text came in. I flipped open the phone and saw a message from Katie.
    We’rehaving macaroni and love for dinner tonight. I really cheese that stuff!
    I laughed out loud.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” Eddie asked.
    â€œYou’re not going to believe this,” I said, and then I told him the whole story.
    When I was done, Eddie started to laugh, and he didn’t hold it in. Soon tears were running down his cheeks from laughing so hard.
    â€œOh, that poor, poor boy,” he said. “I hope you told him what happened.”
    I nodded. “I did. He seems okay with it. But I’m still worried about what Sydney will do to me.”
    Eddie nodded. “No wonder, after what she did to Jackson.”
    Then I found myself talking to Eddie about Sydney—stuff I hadn’t even told Mom about. Like how Sydney wanted me to be in the PGC, but I didn’t like how she bossed everyone around. And how she’s nice to me sometimes and says insulting things at other times.
    â€œI agree that you shouldn’t have joined her club, but you might have hurt her feelings when you did that,” Eddie said. “Sometimes when peopleare hurt, they act sad, but other people get angry and lash out.”
    I might have hurt Sydney’s feelings? Now there was a new thought. I realized that Eddie was probably right. I had never really thought about Sydney’s feelings before. I guess I figured she didn’t have any.
    â€œBy the way, don’t forget to ask Señora if she wants you to double-space that report that’s due Friday,” Eddie said as I packed up my homework.
    â€œI don’t have Spanish tomorrow because it’s a half day,” I said. “But you can ask her tomorrow night when you meet her.”
    Eddie paused. “We can ask your mom to do that,” he said. “Your dad’s going to go with her.”
    â€œUm, okay,” I said, and I was remembering what Mom had said before about Eddie and how he should meet my teachers because he helped me with my homework. I realized now that she was right.
    â€œAnd Mia?” Eddie said.
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œTurn off your cell phone before your mom sees you. Remember, no screens for a week.”
    â€œOh!” I said. I had forgotten. I turned off my phone. Then I smiled at Eddie. “Thanks,” Iwhispered, and ran up to my room. Eddie has a lot of rules, but he can also be pretty cool, I guess.
    After I went up to my room, Mom came in carrying a garment bag.
    â€œI’ve got another sample for you, Mia,” she said. “This one’s leftover from Nathan Kermit’s fall line, but I think it’s pretty timeless. And cute, too.”
    She opened the bag to reveal a really awesome blue boyfriend-style jacket with rolled-up sleeves, a plaid lining, and what looked like vintage silver buttons.
    â€œI love it!” I exclaimed, trying it on. “I have just the shirt to go with it.”
    â€œI knew you would,” Mom said, and she turned to leave.
    â€œHey, Mom,” I said, and she stopped. “I wanted to ask you something. I think Eddie should to go