Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday - Barbara Park [5]
He is even scared of a teeny flea, I think.
Just then, I sat up a little bit straighter.
’Cause I just got another idea in my head, that’s why!
It was called, Hey! Maybe I can take William’s invitation away from him! ’Cause he won’t even chase me, probably! And so then I will have my very own invitation! And William can get another one from that Jim! And then everybody will get to go to the party. Including me!
I stood up from the grass.
Then I squinted my eyes at Crybaby William. And I started to run at him very slow.
I runned faster and faster. Till finally, I was running as fast as a speeding bumblebee.
I buzzed all around William zippity quick.
His eyes couldn’t even follow me that good.
Then I buzzed right in his face. And quick I grabbed that invitation out of his fingers!
I runned my fastest to the swing set!
And guess what?
William didn’t even follow me! That’s what!
And here’s more good news! William’s invitation didn’t even have his name on it! So that means it can be for anybody, probably!
“Only now it’s mine!” I said. “’Cause I will put my name on it when I get to Room Nine! And it will be my very own invitation!”
Just then, the bell rang for school.
I put my invitation way down in my deep pocket. And I skipped very happy to my class.
Mrs. was standing outside of Room Nine.
William was standing with her.
His nose was sniffling a real lot.
I tried to skip past them. But Mrs. grabbed the straps of my frog jumper.
She pulled me back.
“Yeah, only I don’t actually think that is good for the outfit,” I said.
Mrs. did a frown.
“Junie B., did you take something that belonged to William?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “’Cause his name wasn’t even on it. And so that means it is for anybody, I think.”
Mrs. tapped her angry foot.
“Was William holding an invitation, Junie B.? And did you snatch it out of his hands? And then did you run away from him?” she asked.
I smiled very cute.
“I was a buzzing bee,” I said.
Mrs. holded out her hand.
“May I have it, please?” she asked. “May I have the invitation you took from William?”
I rocked back and forth on my feet.
’Cause I didn’t want to give it to her, that’s why.
“Yeah, only I think it mighta bounced out of my pocket,” I said.
Mrs. bended down next to me. She leaned way into my face.
“I want that invitation,” she said. “Now.”
I did a gulp.
Then I quick put my hand in my pocket.
“Good news. I found it,” I said very nervous.
“Give it to William,” said Mrs.
Crybaby William put out his hand.
I shoved it at him.
“Here, Mr. Stinkyhead Tattletale Boy,” I said. “Here’s your stinkyhead invitation.”
Mrs.’s eyes got real big.
“Junie B. Jones! That’s quite enough! Now you go sit down! And I don’t want to hear another word. Do you understand, young lady? Not one more word.”
And so that’s how come I walked very slumping to my seat.
And I put my head on my table.
’Cause guess why?
Laying low again, that’s why.
6/Daydreaming
Mrs. took attendance. Attendance is when you say, I’m here. Except if you’re not here, you have to be quiet.
Also we said, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
That is called opening ceremonies, I think.
After that, we sat down. And Mrs. passed out our workbooks.
She told us the pages to turn to.
It was work about different kinds of shapes. Like circles. And squares. And triankles.
I am a breeze at that stuff.
Only I couldn’t even concentrate very good. On account of I kept daydreaming about that birthday party.
Daydreaming is just like night dreaming.
Only it’s not night.
And you’re not asleep.
And you’re not dreaming.
I kept on thinking about how everybody was going to that party.
Only not me.
I was the only one.
In all of Room Nine.
I wish Lucille and Grace weren’t going, too, I thought to just myself. ’Cause that would be nice sports of them.
After a while, I tapped on Lucille.
“You are my bestest good friend,” I told her.
Lucille smiled at me.
“You are my bestest good friend, too,” she said.
I touched her new dress.
“You look very precious today,”