I'm Not Thirteen Yet
Chapter 2
Sixth grade was a tough year. Some days, walking the halls was like trudging through peanut butter-- nearly impossible. I had entered the world of teenagers, and I wasn't even one of them yet. Lynette Gardener has always been my bestfriend, until Feburary, shen she turned thirteen. I wouldn't be thirteen until August.
Lynette started bringing new thirteen-year-old friends to our lunch table. Then Lynette and these new girls began holiding thirteen-year-old clubs after school. Obviously they were far more mature with the word " teen " attachted to their age. It wouldn't be long until there was a piece of tape down the cafeteria, dividing it into two. If you weren't thirteen, you dared not enter the thirteen-year-old side. If you tried, the lip gloss army would hurl you back. Gradually, Lynette stopped inviting me over after school. One day on my way into the girls' bathroom, I overheard Lynette and Shelly Abrams discussing their after-school plans at Dale's Ice Cream. " This afternoon is going to be so much fun " said Lynette. " It's going to be you, me, and the rest of the 'Fab Thirteens'. Just remember, no twelve year olds. I heard the toilet flush and scurried into an empty stall. Their giggles felt like needles. I heard the sinks running and knew they were tossing their locks in the mirror. This couldn't be happening. But i was quickly getting the picture that it was. With Spring turning to summer, the rift between the twelve- and the thirteen-year-olds grew worse. What if by September, when I was finally thirteen , they had a " fourteen year old club"?
One day, I came home from school and mom gave me the news that she had signed me up for summer camp.
"Oh like a day camp?" I said.
"No, honey, I signed you up for two weeks at Camp Shenandoah."
My backpack fell to the ground. I stood there with my mouth open. Two weeks stuck at some bug-infested camp where I didn't know anyone? What was she trying to do to me? Make my life worse? " I talked to Margaret's mom." she said. "Margaret will be there the same till as you. Maybe you can be bunkmates." I could have shaken her. Margaret Bowman was a thirteener who were bras and was a bona fide member of the Thirteens. My mom knew nothing, Margaret wasb't going to be my friend. Three weeks later, I redunctantly boarded the bus with all the other kids. Just before I stepped on, Margarets mother and mine asked to take a picture of the two of us. I wanted to throw up, but smiled graciouslt as the camera flashed and our moms grinned. Two hours later, as the buses pulled in to Camp, I saw crods of counselors jumping up and down, singing and cheering all for us. I was immediatly a bit less nervous.
As the first day turned into the third, I still missed home. I made friends but not with Margaret. I chose the bed farthest frin wgere she slept. I figured I could avoid her for two weeks, no problem.
However, one evening, Margaret and I wound up on the same team during a color war. We didn't talk, but when our team won, she gave me a huge highfive. I was taken aback.
After the game, we had an ice cream party in the dining hall to celebrate our victory. I sprinkled my last spoonful of chocolate sprinkles and walked toward a table. " Hey Jamie " a voice called " come sit here." I swore it sounded like margaret. It turned out that it was Margaret, and she wanted me to sit next to her. " Okay, thanks!" i said and took a seat, probably with a confused look on my face.
"i love the way you arrange your toppings, it's perfect order." said margaret, " look at mine, i cant even keep it together." We both laughed as i looked at margaret and i became great friends with her. Sometimes I forgot about her being in the teenager club back at school, but i also wondered what would happen to our friendship in September.
During the last few days at camp, we had a soccer tournament against the boys. I played forward and margaret was on defense. We started on the filed in the glitter T-shirts we made the night before. I was never an athlete, but i was confident. It was mid-game and i felt energized. I saw the ball making it's way towards me and went in for it. Richard had the ball. I ran up and kicked it through his legs. A surge of adrenaline ran through me. I could hear all my teammates screaming my name is excitement. But before I knew it, I was flat on my face, grass in my eyes and up my nose. Richard tripped me. Right away, Margaret was kneeling next to me " are you okay ?" she asked. " Richard , you big jerk, what were you thinking? This is my bestfriend, and if you want to mess with someone, don't pick her, oh, and you stink at soccer!"
At this point, I was lying on my back, and my head shot up when I heard the words " bestfriend " I squainted and saw margaret standing above me. She extended her hand. She was ready to help me up. She grinned. From then on, I knew who my best friend was. She didn't care what age, & never would. To this day, we both have the framed picture of us at the bus stop that first day of camp.
MelissaaAnnee.*
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