Ex-Friends

Jack Danielson and Judy Osmett were very good friends until Carl Frankby, the local bully teased Jack.

They had a week off from school in honor of when their school was built. They we re walking together to the park when Carl zoomed past them on his bike. "Well, well, well!" Carl sneered, "Look who we have here. If it isn't lover boy and his bride-to-be. Where's your little teddy bear with hearts all over it?!"

Judy snorted. "How would you know teddy bears have hearts all over it if you don't own one yourself?!" she shot back.

Carl growled. He held his fist up to Judy's face. "Welcome to the punchline!"

Judy didn't even flinch. Suddenly, Mrs. Jefferson, who is good friends with Carl's mom, stepped out onto the porch Carl Frankby, your mother is going about this!" Then she turned to Judy. "Judy, are you all right?"

Judy smiled, "Yes, I'm fine."

Wow! Jack wished that he was as brave as Judy, daring to stand up to the local bully. But to make matters worse, Carl was right, Jack needed to find more guy friends. He stood there, uncomfortably and told Judy that he needed to help his little brother in first grade with his homework during vacation.

Judy shrugged, "Sure."

Jack gave a weak smile and headed home.

As Jack jogged back, he thought about how to have more guy friends. He telephoned Thomas, who doesn't even know any girls outside his class besides his sister and Lilly.

"Yo, what's up?" Thomas asked Jack.

Jack replied, "Thomas, how do I get more guy friends? Carl Frankby's been teasing me about hanging out with Judy. What should I do?"

Thomas frowned. "Who's Judy?"

Jack sighed. "Top student in Mr. Nooran's class, of course."

"Oh! That girl. I never knew her name. Anyway, back on track. We can hang out at my house for the rest of the week if you want. Try avoiding Judy but don't act suspicious or she'll know something is up."

Jack grinned. "Thanks, pal! 'I'll tell mom that I'll be hanging out at your house."

Thomas nodded, "Sure!"

Jack trotted into the kitchen, searching for his mom. He found a note that read, 'Jack - if you are reading this, I've gone to the market. If you're going out, please sign below.'

Jack printed Jack and left. He stayed undercover all the way to Thomas' house. It was a good thing he did too, Jack saw Judy going to the library with Victoria. When Jack was at Thomas' house, they played Clue.

Meanwhile, when Judy was at the library with Victoria Black, she just thought of something. The LIdo Elementary School where Jack's brother Nathaniel goes to never gave homework during break. Something funny was going on. And Judy didn't mean funny ha-ha or even funny ho-ho.

Victoria interrupted Judy's thoughts by shoving a book called Nighttime Animals in front of her. "Judy, Judy!" Victoria cried, "This will help me write my report, the incredible owl!"

Judy shrugged. Victoria started blabbering away about her report. After she finished, Victoria whispered to Judy, "There's been a rumor going around in the 8th grade. Carl started it."

Judy perked up. "What?" she asked eagerly.

"Carl says that Jack,--" Victoria started.

Judy turned to Victoria sharply. "What is he saying about my friend?! Does Frankby want to end head-first in the dumpster?!" Judy interrupted.

Victoria started again. "You mean your ex-friend."

Judy couldn't believe her ears. "Ex-friend? Ha, ha. You must be joking. Jack and I have been friends since third grade! We're in eighth grade already!"

Victoria shook her head, "Carl says that Jack isn't your friend anymore. Carl prefer to use the word 'dumped' or 'broke-up'. Jack's been hanging out with Thomas, Vans - that boy who plays soccer."

Judy scowled. So that was what was going on. She left the library and went to talk to Mary, who detests boys.

Ding, dong! The doorbell rang. Mary poked her head out. "Hey, Judy. What's up?"

Judy explained everything the way Jack did but the opposite way.

Mary nodded slowly. She thought for a moment. "Did you ask?"

"Ask what?" Judy replied.

"If Jack's not actually your friend. I mean, he could've have Thomas for a science partner, like at at school."

Judy shook her head. "Nope, Jack told me that Perry Flynn was his partner.

Mary shrugged and asked, "Want to play Operation?"

Judy took that as a 'want to be my friend?' and replied,"Sure!"

And so it was. When it was time to go back to school, Jack tried to avoid Judy and played soccer with Thomas, Kenny, Gregory a.k.a. Greg, and Ben.

Judy realized that the rumor really was true. Jack had stopped playing monkey bars with her like they usually did. So, instead of trying to let Jack be her friend again, she hung out with Mary and her friends.

Neither Judy nor Jack spoke a word to each other until Michael Anderson, the rich kid invited everyone in 8th grade at the Larkin Middle School to his birthday party. It was his 15th birthday.

Best of all, the invitation read that they can swim in the indoor swimming pool.

Everyone knew Michael and wanted to be his friend because he was nice, generous, and funny. If they had siblings, they would brag about it. Jack stuffed every detail down Nathaniel's throat. Judy crammed it into her big sister in 10th grade, Carol's head. All the 8th graders were as happy as a clam. All, that is but Carl Frankby.

He was green. He was jealous. Michaelhad invited him except he was grounded for being accused of punching Judy in the face although he didn't. All the proof was against him.

Carl punched his pillow so hard that a few feathers flew out of it. He took out his little green notebook and wrote I hate Judy ten times.

On his 8th sentence, his little sister Hillary who also goes to the Lido Elementary School but is in 4th grade burst in.

"What are you doing here, weaselhead?" Carl growled.

Hillary answered, "Mom wants to have a talk with you, snotboy."

"What is wrong with you, Carl Frensky Frankby! Why in the world did you hit Judy!" Mrs. Frankby shouted.

"I didn't do it, Ma! It looked like I did but I didn't!" Carl insisted.

Meanwhile at Michael Anderson's party, they were all playing water tag in the pool. It was Holly Taylors turn to be it and everyone swam as fast as they can away from her because 1. They didn't want to be it and 2. She was the 5th fastest swimmer in 8th grade at their Middle School.

Michael made some rules. When you're completely surrounded and no place left to go, you have to quickly say Peter Piper picked a peek of pickled peppers 3 times and if you don't mess up, the it person has to wait 5 seconds before he/she zips out again. It's sort of like base but you can't do it unless you're absolutely trapped.

Holly tagged Perry Flynn and Perry tagged Jack. It wasn't easy because Jack was the 3rd fastest. He almost got Lilly Tang but he missed by barely 2 inches!

Jack took a deep breath and cranked his body on to full speed which he calls 'Mako Extreme' because the Mako is the fastest shark.

He trapped Judy into the corner of the pod and looked like that he was going to pounce on her.

Judy started to say the tongue twister but Larry Mantis, one of Mr. Anderson's servants accidentally fell into the pool by slipping on a puddle of water from when the kids jumped in and a wave of water splashed over Judy's head. Jack ducked down into the water just in time but Judy got drenched without warning because she was so concentrated on saying the tongue twister right.

When Jack heard her choking and sputtering, his head bobbled above the water. Everyone else swam over to see while Michael helped Mr. Mantis out. "Judy, are you all right?" Jack whispered, forgetting all about avoiding her. Apparently, Thomas forgot too. "Is she still alive?" he whispered to Greg.

"Yes, I'm fine." Judy hoarsely whispered.

Michael held out a hand but Larry Mantis beat him to it. "I know what it feels like. I know." said Mr. Mantis gently. He took her into the guest room to dry off.

When Judy came back, they had already changed and were having a 3-legged race. She saw Charlie Stewart and Amanda Starling cross the finish line. Then, it was time for Michael to open his gifts.

First, he got a soccer ball from Thomas. Next, he got a dart game from Lilly. And so on. Hats, wristbands, action figures, books, toys, calculators, etc. He even got a watch from Perry that glows-in-the-dark! Everyone had a great time.

Soon, Jack and Judy were friends again and Thomas and Mary seemed to forget what had happened. Everything was back to normal.

THE END

The Pool

Derek Walter didn't have a best friend until Emily and Doug Pretson moved into his neighborhood.

Emily, Doug, and their parents had just moved into Derek's old neighbor Mr. Johnson's house. Derek saw the whole scene from his bedroom window. He used his telescope (he got that for a birthday gift since he was fond of astronomy) and looked out the window with it often.

When Derek was doing his daily looking, he saw Mrs. Grandby, the real estate person put a sold sing in front of the sale sign and she drove off.

Derek raced downstairs and shared with his parents about the news. "I hope they have kids y age!" he eagerly said after he explained it.

His dad chuckled. "If they have kids your age, then I hope their father is interested in hockey!"

A couple of hours later, Derek was looking through his telescope again. He saw a blue convertible drive up with two moving trucks following directly behind. "It's the new people!" he thought excitedly.

Derek peered closer. He saw a man in the front and , two kids in the back of the convertible! "Yippee!" Derek shouted happily.

He ran down to his front yard to greet them.

A week later, Doug and Emily invited Derek to go swimming at the pool downtown. "Sure!" Derek exclaimed. "Great! We'll meet you on Friday." Doug promised.

Derek rushed home and told his parents. Suddenly, Derek's big sister, Mindy Walter skipped down the stairs. She sneered. "Ha! You don't even know how to swim! How are you going to learn by Friday!?"

Derek's shoulders drooped. "Darn, I forgot all about that. Now what am I going to do?"

Mr. Walter slapped Derek's back. "If you try your hardest, I'd be glad to train you until Friday!"

Derek grinned "Gee, thanks a whole lot! But do you think I can learn in only 3 days?"

Mr. Walter smiled, "If you try your hardest."

Mindy snorted, "Mindy," Mrs. Walter said sternly, "if you'd like me to send you to your room, I'd be glad to." Then she said to Mr. Walter, "Ken, I think that will be a great idea! You can take Derek there this afternoon!"

Mr. Walter glanced at his watch. "We can go now, if you'd like!"

Derek whooped. "YAHOO!" he screamed.

Mindy came out of the kitchen carrying a cellphone. "Can you puh-leeeese stop screaming? You're ridiculous!"

Mr. Walter stood up. "Derek," he ordered, "get your swim trunks and goggles. Meet you here in a minute?"

Derek flashed a thumbs-up sign and bolted up the stairs with Mr. Walter trotting behind.

Derek leafed around in his drawer and fished out his goggles and swim trunks. Then, just Derek and his dad went to the pool to help him practice.

By Friday, Derek was all set and ready. He headed up to Doug and Emily's house after school. Ding Dong. Emily poked her head out. "Come in." she said.

Derek asked, "When are we going swimming? Where's Doug?"

Emily sighed. "Look. I want to make it up to you, but Doug caught a cold when we went to that museum, The Museum of Natural History. Sorry, but my folks said that I have to stay home."

"Oh," said a disappointed Derek, "but can I still visit him?"

Emily shook her head. "Nope. Mom won't let visitors see him 'till he's better."

Derek headed out the door and walked home. He played soccer in the backyard by himself, feeling lonely.

But, he cheered up when his dad offered to swim with him and Derek had a great time.