Table of Contents
GROSSET & DUNLAP
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Morgan, Melissa J.
Alexs challenge / by Melissa J. Morgan.
p. cm.(Camp confidential ; 4)
Summary: During the last weeks of summer camp, eleven-year-old Alex Kim has trouble hiding a secret from the other girls in bunk 3C while also trying to meet the high standards she sets for herself in sports, relationships, and other activities.
eISBN : 978-1-101-04089-8
[1. CampsFiction. 2. FriendshipFiction. 3. SecretsFiction. 4. DiabetesFiction.
5. Perfectionism (Personality trait)Fiction.] I. Title. II. Series.
PZ7.M82545Al 2005
[Fic]dc22
2005005344
http://us.penguingroup.com
Chapter ONE
Dear Bridgette,
Im still here at Camp Lakeview.
Just two more weeks left before we can hang outin personagain! Im so excited to see you.
Thanks for the letters and manga books youve been sending me. Im really trying to love anime as much as you do, and Im getting into some of it. When I read that last one, I thought of you the whole time. I love how the Ninja Supertwins trick their kidnapper into letting them go. Youre just like the brainy one (Im the one who can fly and do flips and stuffha ha ha). Its fun to imagine that youre right here with me.
But youre not.
Do you know how much I miss you?
Brynn and I have been keeping busywere always swimming or jumping rope or staying up way too late. She can be a handful, though, always wanting me to practice lines with her (you know, shes a literal drama queen) and to help her find the stuff she lost in our big old bunk. Id like to see her practice soccer with me! She doesnt like sports all that much, and, as you know, I live for anything athletic.
Were so different that sometimes I cant believe were such good friends.
Hows summer practice been without me? If I come back and youre a whole lot better than I am, youre just going to have to teach me your new moves. Deal?
Im learning some new stufffrom boys, of all people. I get to play with the counselors a lot, which makes me better. But sometimes, I think they let me score points when they shouldnt. Im not complaining, though. Im having a blast. Anyway, I cant wait to play with you!
Just know that I miss you and think of you all the time. You dont know how much I wish you were here right now! Ugh. I dont have to pretend around you. You know how it is.
I miss you. Did I say that already? Well, I just said it again!
Best Friends Forever,
Alex
Alex had just gotten into bed and was trying to relax. If only her brain had an off switch! She was deep in thought, wishing she could be one of the Ninja Supertwins. She wished she could just have special powers so her life would be easier. Every time she hit the soccer field, she had to score at least three points for her team. Every time she left the bunk, she had to worry if shed stay strong for the rest of the day. And every time her camp friends had issueslike when Jenna thought Chelsea had tripped her at lunchthey looked to Alex to keep the peace. Alex couldnt understand why she felt so much pressure and where it was all coming from.
At that moment, Jenna was causing Alexs stress. Jenna was addicted to sugar, and her parents liked to feed that addiction with packages from home. Sometimes, Jenna got cupcakes. Other times, she passed out Swedish fish. That night, she had the largest quantity of Nerds that Alex had ever seen. The round, little balls of candy were pink and purple. As Jenna passed them aroundshe was totally generoussome Nerds inevitably went flying. Gnat-sized streaks of unnatural color dashed through the air like Fourth of July sparklers.
Alex couldnt help herself; she peeked up from her letter to watch the scene, her mouth beginning to water. She loved the sharp-sweet flavor of Nerds. Just as she was going back to writing, a handful of the hard sugar pellets nicked her left cheek.
Agh! Alex yelled. Those buggers were dangerous.
Some girls started to grumble while others laughed. After six weeks together, everyone knew whod get cranky (Chelsea) versus whod get goofy (Jenna, Grace, Natalie). Thats what had happened at Camp Lakeview every year Alex had been there, and shed been going there for a lonnnggg time. The girls grew thisclose, and sometimes there was this magical warm and fuzzy feeling between them, like youd met eleven soul mates. Other times, during the War of the Nerds, for example, thisclose was a recipe for calorie-infused disaster.
Hey, did you get any? Valerie whispered to Alex.
Yeah, they left bruises on my cheek, Alex said, passing up the sweet treats as usual. This time, Alex went back to writing for real. She started on another letter to her soccer coach. She had to concentrate on seeming busy so the girls would be less likely to pay attention to her. Alex wouldnt disturb a flyand she liked herself that way. She was the original get-along girl who never instigated feuds or showed up late. She didnt even yell at Jennas twin brother, Adam, when he pranked the bunkleaving fake bugs on all the girls pillows. Though that prank was pretty irritating, not to mention uninspired. Except for Brynn, who was her best camp friend, most people didnt know what made Alex tick. And sometimes even Brynn didnt know.
Okay, cool, Val said. More for me then.
I know you didnt just hit me in the eye! Chelsea yelled into the air. Lights-out was in fifteen minutes, but she was always in bed first. She claimed that her face broke out if she didnt get enough beauty sleep. Chelsea even tried to get the other girls to quiet down early, as if that ever worked.
Aye aye, Captain Chelsea, Grace mimicked. Youd better watch out, or you might lose a tongue, too.
