Finding Home Page 14

  Her mom was quiet for a moment and then she cleared her throat. “So… you cheated to get a good grade?”

  “Yes.” Kari raised her eyebrows. “It isn’t my style to get a bad grade.”

  This time her mother was silent for a long moment. “Cheating always ends poorly.” She sounded kind. Stern but kind. “Telling the truth on the other hand… always ends well.”

  Kari sniffed. “I’ve wanted to tell you for so long.”

  Mom took Kari’s hand. “I’m so glad you told me. You can always tell me anything. Your surprise party was an amazing gift, but you telling the truth about cheating… that’s the best gift of all.”

  Kari held her breath. “So… I won’t get kicked out of the family?”

  Her mom looked at her, straight to her heart. “How did it feel to carry your cheating around… all this time?”

  “Terrible.” A tear slid down Kari’s cheek. “Like I was carrying rocks on my back.”

  “Remember that.” Mom kissed her cheek. “Telling the truth always makes you feel better.”

  Kari felt herself relax, and freedom came over her. The best feeling of freedom ever. “I’ll remember.”

  “Still…” Her mom hesitated. “You need to tell your father… and someone else.”

  “Who?” Kari thought about her siblings. They would be so disappointed in her.

  Mom sounded very serious. “You need to tell your teacher.”

  Kari frowned. She couldn’t imagine telling her teacher. But her mother was right. She nodded. “Okay. I’ll tell Daddy tonight. And Ms. Nan as soon as possible.”

  “That’s my good girl. And remember, you don’t have to get an A every time. Part of learning is working through a bad grade.”

  “Yes.” Kari nodded. “I know that now.”

  Mom took Kari’s hand and the two of them walked across the street to the ice cream shop. Kari felt so much better. They had given their mother a nice gift with the surprise party.

  But even better was the gift of telling the truth. And now, for the first time since she’d cheated, Kari felt light on her feet. Which made sense.

  The rocks were gone.

  17 Lost at the Zoo

  ASHLEY

  The sea animal reports turned out to be the best fun in all of fifth grade.

  Ashley acted out the movements of an octopus in front of the other students and at the end of her performance the entire class clapped. Also some of them laughed, but Ashley felt like they were laughing with her.

  Which gave her another chance to curtsy. Mr. Garrett gave her an A, and Ashley decided hers was the best report in the class.

  Except Landon’s was maybe a close second place. Because Landon made a life-size sea turtle out of paper and glue.

  Then, after the reports, Mr. Garrett had surprised them with an announcement. They were going to the zoo for a special field trip!

  And now the day for the zoo was here!

  Ashley rushed to the front of the line for boarding the bus, which meant she’d have to sit at the back. She didn’t care.

  A zoo field trip was the highlight of all her days in Bloomington! Back home, her family went to the zoo every year. But they’d never been to the Indianapolis Zoo.

  Ashley settled into her seat at the back and watched the other kids file onto the bus. Lunch was special today, too. Her mom had packed a lion-shaped peanut butter sandwich, gummy bears and animal crackers. For the zoo theme. Also in her backpack was her sketchbook and her favorite new pencils from Dad.

  Because sketching animals at the zoo was an artist’s dream.

  Finally everyone was on board, but they couldn’t leave. Chris and his friends up front were making loud sounds and laughing like hyenas. Ashley rolled her eyes. “Who won’t grow up now?” she whispered to herself.

  Mr. Garrett stood at the front near the driver. “Would you boys like to spend the day in the office?”

  Ashley giggled quietly. Apparently the answer was no, because the boys quieted down right away. Gotta love that Mr. Garrett, she thought to herself. A late girl hurried onto the bus and down the aisle. There was an open seat by Ashley, so the girl sat down.

  “Hi.” Ashley scooted closer to the window so the girl had room. “I’m Ashley. You sit in the back of the class, right?”

  The girl laughed. “I do. I’m Amy.” She had friendly brown eyes. “You sit up front, right?”

  “Yep.” Ashley smiled. This was nice. Why hadn’t she met Amy earlier? She was so much nicer than Natalie. Amy was friendly and good at conversations. Easier to talk to than quiet Natalie. Ashley smiled at Amy. “You sit next to those boys, I think.”

  “Yes. Right next to Chris Parker.” Amy rolled her eyes. “It’s been a very loud year so far.” She laughed.

  “Oh, I believe you.” Ashley relaxed in her seat. “So what’s your favorite animal? Mine’s the giraffe. Those huge brown spots and their long necks.”

  Amy shifted, maybe so she could see Ashley better. “Mine’s the elephant! I like their trunks!” Amy raised her arm in the air and trumpeted like an elephant. When she did, her two pretty blond braids swayed like elephant ears.

  They both laughed. Amy was actually a likely friend. A friend from the first minute. Ashley looked a few rows ahead and she spotted not-so-likely Natalie, sitting alone. Talking to no one. Ashley almost felt sorry for her.

  Amy was still talking about elephants and how the babies were even cuter than the grown-ups.

  Ashley nodded. “They are so cute!” Then she glanced ahead at Natalie again. Hmm, she thought. Maybe with a little more effort things could be different. Maybe Natalie wasn’t trying to be mean. Sure, she kept to herself. And, well, she was usually grouchy. But there could be a reason. Because everyone was different. And everyone deserved a chance.

  That’s what Ashley’s dad always said.

  Amy had turned around to talk to the girls behind them. Ashley leaned in close. “I’m gonna sit next to my book report partner.” She raised her eyebrows. “So much work ahead.”

  “Okay.” Amy smiled. “Nice meeting you.”

  “You, too.” Ashley slid out of the seat and walked up to Natalie. She was reading their class book. Ashley made a small cough sound. “Excuse me.” She made her eyes a little wider. “Hello.”

  Natalie jumped like she’d been stung by a bee. Then she settled down and frowned. “What?”

  Not exactly a warm welcome. Ashley pressed on. “Mind if I sit here?”

  Natalie slid over to make some room.

  “Okay.” Ashley would need double patience for this girl. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She dropped to the open seat, and tried to think of something to say. “So…” Ashley found her most upbeat voice. “Are you having a good week?”

  “No.” Natalie crossed her arms and looked out the window.

  “Hmm.” How was she supposed to figure Natalie out? What would it take to make her laugh? Ashley tapped Natalie’s shoulder. “Have you been to the zoo before?”

  Natalie looked back at her. “No.”

  “What?” Ashley practically stood up. “Never?” She couldn’t imagine such a thing. Ashley tapped her chin. “Have you been on a field trip?”

  “No.” Natalie turned and faced Ashley. She sighed.

  That was all Ashley could take. She stood and stared at the girl. “Do you ever say anything but no?”

  For the first time, Natalie didn’t have that stuck-up expression. She pressed herself back against the window, and looked very shocked.

  Ashley dropped to her seat. “I had to get that off my chest.” She waited. “Still hoping for an answer over here.”

  Natalie looked out the window again for a minute, and then back at Ashley. She hesitated. “I just… sometimes I don’t want to talk.”

  Ashley’s patience officially ran out. Nothing worked with Natalie. Nothing! Ashley leaned forward and rested her head on the seat back in front of her. But after a moment she felt a tap on her shoulder. She lifted her head, looked
at Natalie, and whispered, “Can I help you?”

  “Yes.” Natalie’s voice was quiet, too. “Thanks for sitting by me.” Natalie didn’t seem to want anyone to hear her.

  For a few seconds, Ashley watched Natalie. The slightest smile lifted the corners of the girl’s mouth. Ashley took a deep breath. Somewhere deep inside Natalie there had to be an actual big smile. Maybe even a laugh. Ashley forced herself to believe it.

  But at least Natalie had given her a tiny smile. It wasn’t a lot. But, it would have to do.

  A buzz went through the bus and Ashley looked out the window. The zoo! They were here! Ashley’s feet had trouble staying still. She wanted off this thing.

  Before they could leave, Mr. Garrett stood at the front of the bus and explained the rules. “Everyone stay with a buddy. No running. Don’t get left behind.” He pumped his fist in the air. “And… have fun!”

  The students cheered and clapped and grabbed their backpacks with their sack lunches. And soon they were on their way, walking through the zoo.

  At the first stop, three black bears lumbered around a patch of grass and big rocks. Next came the funny pink flamingos, and then the sleepy rhinos.

  Ashley could barely breathe the whole time. Animals were perfection. She couldn’t take her eyes off them. They were so beautiful! God must have had fun coming up with the bear’s furry skin and the flamingo’s skinny legs and the rhino’s fierce horn. Did God sketch the animals before He made them?

  Ashley skipped along. Probably, He did. Because He was the best artist.

  Just then they reached the giraffes!

  Mr. Garrett read the sign out loud. “Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth.” He looked around the class. “Elliot, what’s a mammal?”

  Elliot paused, thinking about his answer. “They’re warm-blooded. They feed their young with milk.” He paused until the answer hit him. “And they have hair!”

  “Good.” Mr. Garrett told them that the giraffes’ legs were about six feet tall. Just the legs. He started talking about what they ate and how they ate.

  Ashley looked around and spotted a bench just behind her class. It wasn’t far from where Landon Blake stood, listening to their teacher. She moved in a hurry past Landon. This was her chance. She sat down and quick as she could, she pulled her sketchbook and three pencils from her backpack.

  Then she studied the giraffes. She had to draw one of those guys. Otherwise the trip would be a fail.

  Starting at the bottom of the animal, Ashley drew the giraffe with the most careful care. She sketched four long skinny legs, then the body and finally the long neck and pretty face. With every stroke of her pencil, she glanced up at the majestic animal. Then back to her paper, then back to the giraffe. She had to get every detail just right.

  Because when would she have this chance again?

  She was busy filling in the tree branches and leaves, which the giraffe was eating, when Mr. Garrett announced they were leaving.

  “Stay together.” He looked back straight at her. “Come on, Ashley!”

  Clearly, her teacher was not waiting around. “Almost done.” Ashley said the words out loud, but not quite loud enough for her teacher to hear. She saw the class walk around the corner, disappearing from sight.

  Hurry, she told herself. You have to hurry. She had saved the best part for last. “The spots have to be perfect.” Her voice was very quiet. All her attention was on the giraffe.

  That’s when she noticed Landon Blake. He was still standing there, watching her. “They’re going.” He sounded concerned. “We should go, too. So we don’t get lost.”

  Ashley kept drawing. “No one’s making you stay.” Why did Landon care whether she got lost or not?

  “I’m not leaving you alone.” Frustration filled between his words. “Buddy system…”

  She rolled her eyes and kept drawing. “I’m fine, Landon.” Ashley finished the spots and shaded in the giraffe’s shadow. Finally she closed her book. “See. I’m done!” She gave Landon a smirk. “Nothing to worry about.” She scanned the area around her. “Where’d they go?”

  Landon shrugged. “I don’t know. I was watching you.”

  “Why?” Ashley was annoyed. “If you’d paid more attention, we wouldn’t be lost.”

  “I was staring at your drawing.” Landon’s smile started in his eyes. “It’s really good.”

  Ashley sighed. “Thanks. But now we need to find the others.” She took off, scanning the path for Mr. Garrett. Landon followed her. They looked in every possible direction.

  No sign of the class.

  “Come on… this way.” Landon took the lead and they ran to the Reptile Encounter. It was pitch dark inside.

  “Mr. Garrett?” Ashley tried to whisper. But it came out kind of loud like a hiss.

  Landon laughed. “You sound like a snake.” He hissed back at her.

  Ashley furrowed her brow. “I do not.” She kept walking. Her eyes were getting used to the dark room. Snakes slithered around in lighted aquariums on both sides.

  “Don’t get bit!” Landon poked Ashley’s side.

  She screamed and jumped ahead. “Hey!” She giggled. “Quit!”

  “Shhh!” One of the zoo workers turned toward Landon and Ashley. “Where’s your teacher?” The zoo worker started to come their way. His face looked reddish and his eyebrows sat low on his face.

  “Let’s get out of here!” Ashley’s voice was louder than before.

  “We should ask him for help!” Landon hesitated.

  But Ashley was already running for the exit. She called out over her shoulder. “He’ll put us in the zoo jail!”

  Ashley wasn’t sure if there was a zoo jail. But it sounded possible. And she definitely didn’t want to go there. She kept running.

  Landon caught up to her. “You’re right. We can find our class by ourselves.”

  “Exactly.” Ashley was glad Landon understood. “It would be terrible to spend the rest of the year in zoo jail.”

  “Hey! You kids, stop!” The zoo worker called after them.

  “Come on!” Landon took Ashley’s hand. “Run!”

  They ran through the encounter, out the other side, past the monkeys, the meerkats and the crocodiles. Landon kept looking back and he only stopped after he seemed sure they weren’t being followed. They were near the elephants, and totally exhausted. Ashley let go of Landon’s hand and put her hands on her head. Landon crossed his arms.

  They were both breathing fast.

  After a few seconds Ashley looked at the sea of people behind them. “I think we avoided zoo jail.”

  Landon crossed his arms. “So what do we do now, Miss nothing-to-worry-about?” He was only teasing. Ashley could tell, now.

  “I have no answers.” She leaned on a fence post. “We are officially lost. And it was all my fault.” She hated that Landon was right. But he was. Ashley’s heart beat a bit faster. “What if we never find them?” Panic raced through her.

  “I guess we just stay here forever.” He pretended to look scared. “Maybe work here.” Landon broke into a laugh. “We’ll probably have to clean up after the elephants.”

  “Not funny.” Ashley searched the crowd again. Where were they? Surely Mr. Garrett didn’t take the kids back to school without them. But there was no sign of their class.

  “We might as well keep walking.” Landon led them to the lions. “We’re a couple of wilderness explorers, Ashley. You and me.” He grinned. “Which is actually pretty fun.”

  “Yeah.” Ashley smiled. This definitely was turning out to be better than she expected. “We’re good explorers.”

  “We are.” Landon stopped at the big cats. “I like lions the best.”

  Ashley studied the animals. Their huge paws and wild manes. “They’re my scariest.” She looked a little longer. One lion yawned and shook his hairy head. His tail swished this way and that. His eyes looked fierce. That’s when Ashley started to see it. “I guess they are beautiful.”

 
“Exactly. And strong!” Landon nodded. “We should get closer.”

  The lions were pacing. Like they were hungry. Ashley followed Landon to the spot right by the enclosure.

  After a bit, Ashley didn’t look at the lions. She looked at Landon. “Hey.” Her voice was softer. “I never got to thank you for what you did after I got my haircut.”

  He looked confused. “What do you mean?”

  “You know. With Chris and the whole Peter Pan thing.” Ashley shrugged. She felt a little shy. “It was just really nice.”

  “Oh… that. No big deal.” Landon seemed to brush it off. “Chris jokes too much. Someone had to stop him.”

  Ashley laughed. “It was a big deal to me.” All people who were ever bullied should have someone like Landon to defend them.

  Just then Ashley spotted a familiar face. “Look!” There in the crowd was Mr. Garrett. He was walking with a security guard. Ashley motioned to Landon to follow her. “It’s our class. Let’s go.”

  She took off toward their teacher, and Landon followed.

  As soon as she got close enough she ran right into her teacher’s arms. “You’re here!” She was out of breath again. “I thought we were going to be stuck in this place forever.”

  Mr. Garrett stepped back and stared at Ashley. “Where have you been?” He let out a long breath. Like he was extra tired from looking. “We’ve searched everywhere for you two.” His eyes moved to Landon. “We were very worried.”

  “I’m sorry.” If Ashley told the truth, she could get in trouble. But she also didn’t want to lie. She sucked in through her teeth. “I was sketching and—”

  “It was all my fault,” Landon cut her off. He looked at Ashley. “I was talking to her… about her sketches. We got distracted.”

  What was he doing? Ashley gave Landon a look of amazement. He didn’t have to defend her. That was something only friends do. Plus, the security guard looked ready to handcuff someone. Maybe Landon really would be shipped off to zoo jail.

  All for her.

  Then she remembered her thought from the other day when he’d helped her with Chris. Maybe Landon Blake was actually becoming an unlikely friend.