Junie B., First Grader_ Toothless Wonder - Barbara Park [7]
“Okay. Thank you,” he said. “Please get it off of me now.”
I got it off.
“But I thought you would like this,” I said very disappointed.
Herb patted me. “Live and learn,” he said.
Pretty soon, his face got normal again.
“So how much money did you get from the fairy, Junie B.?” he asked. “Did you get a lot of cash?”
My stomach did a flip-flop at that question.
’Cause I didn't want to discuss that matter, of course.
I squirmed in my seat kind of worried. Then I looked out the window. And I didn't talk.
Herb tapped on me.
“What's wrong, Junie B.?” he said. “How come you're not answering me? The fairy did come, right? She didn't forget you, did she?”
I looked all around. Then I scooted next to him very close. And I quieted my voice to a whisper.
“Yeah, only I can't even discuss that matter, Herb,” I said. “’Cause I know stuff about that fairy.”
“Stuff? What kind of stuff?” he asked.
I whispered even softer.
“Sorry,” I said. “But I have to keep it a secret. And so please don't ask me any more questions. And I mean it.”
After that, I pretended to lock my lips. And I threw away the key.
I saw that on TV once.
Herb looked annoyed at me.
I unlocked my lips again.
“Don't be mad at me,” I said. “I can't help what I know, Herb. And anyway, all you have to do is think about it. ’Cause the fairy doesn't make sense.”
Herb scratched his head. “What do you mean she doesn't make sense? Why doesn't she?”
I crossed my arms.
“Because what does the fairy do with the teeth, Herbert? Huh? Did you ever ask yourself that problem? Why would a fairy pay money for teeth when she doesn't even use them? It sounds kind of fishy, don't you think?”
Herb just stared at me.
“Well?” I said. “Do you know the answer, Herb? A fairy wouldn't just throw the teeth in the garbage, would she? ’Cause that doesn't even add up. Only nobody knows what she does with them, apparently. Not even you, I bet.”
Herb wrinkled his eyebrows.
“I never thought about it,” he said.
He tapped on his chin. “What does the fairy do with the teeth? Hmm … that's a stumper, all right.”
After that, he slid way down in his seat. And he thought and thought some more.
I thought some more, too.
We rode to school real quiet.
When we finally got to school, I started feeling shaky inside.
’Cause I didn't want to get laughed at, remember? Plus I was still concerned about the fruit throwing.
I closed my mouth real tight. And I walked back to my desk.
Lennie smiled and waved at me.
I waved back. Then, very slow, I did a shy smile.
That's when Lennie jumped up from his desk. And he did a loud whoop!
“Cool!” he said. “You look cool, Junie B.!”
José heard Lennie and came to see. Then he grinned and grinned at my brand-new smile. And he gave me a happy high five.
And that is not even the best part!
Because Mr. Scary saw what was going on. And he came all the way to my desk to see my tooth. And he gave me a smiley-face sticker!
After that, he clapped his hands together. And he made a ’nouncement to Room One.
He told them I lost my tooth. And he asked me to stand up and show them my special new smile.
I swallowed real nervous.
Then I stood up kind of jittery. And I opened my lips a teensy bit so the children could see my tooth hole.
And what do you know?
Room One was happy for me!
All of them smiled real nice.
Except, not May, of course.
May just rolled her eyeballs.
“I think you look weird, Junie Jones,” she said. “I think your smile looks silly.”
I sat down. “No, May. This is a silly smile,” I said.
Then I put my fingers in the sides of my mouth. And I stretched my smile across my face. And I wiggled my tongue at her very fast.
Lennie and José laughed and laughed.
And guess what? At lunchtime, I made my smile even funnier. ’Cause Lennie gave me a raisin. And I put it right in my tooth hole! And it stuck there very hilarious!
Shirley laughed her head off at that joke.
I am beginning to enjoy that girl.
“So how much did the tooth fairy leave you?” she asked. “Did you get a bundle?”
“Yeah,” said Lennie. “I was wondering