Abby Klein - Apple Orchard Race

I grabbed the clock and was about to throw it across the room when I remembered that today was a special day. I put the clock down and jumped out of bed. I yanked off my pajama shirt and pulled open my T-shirt drawer. I started throwing shirts on the floor and muttering to myself, Where is it? Where is it? Its got to be in here somewhere. I couldnt find it anywhere, so I ran into the bathroom. My sister, Suzie, was in there combing her hair.

She combs it for about twenty minutes every morning, like shes some princess. Get out! Get out right now, Shark Breath, she screamed at me. Ill be out in a minute, I said. I just have to find something. Well, why dont you put on a shirt, Weirdo? I will as soon as I find it. Find what? My red shirt! Whats so important about your red shirt? My class is going to Apple Hill Orchard today, and Mrs.

Wushy said we should all wear something red. What about your underwear with the big red hearts on it? Suzie said, laughing. Very funny, I said. I dont have underwear with big red hearts. Besides, you have to wear something red that everyone can see. People dont see your underwear! I started throwing things out of the dirty-clothes hamper.

You can look for your shirt when Im done, said Suzie. I dont have time, Sleeping Beauty, I said. I cant be late for school, or Ill miss the field trip. I threw a few more things out of the hamper. By now there were dirty clothes all over the bathroom. I didnt see my shirt, so I started to run out when Suzie grabbed my arm.

Hey, get back here, yelled Suzie. Get back here? I thought you wanted me out. I do, but what about this mess? You know Mom hates it when there are dirty clothes on the floor. She is going to be really angry. You can clean it up. Oh, no! Thats your job, mister, Suzie said.

You made the mess. You clean it up. Besides, Im not touching your dirty underwear. But I dont have time. I cant be late, or Ill miss the bus and the field trip. Please just help me out.

Whats it worth to you? asked Suzie. I didnt have time for this. Just tell me what you want, I said. I get to use your handheld video game player for a week. A week? Are you crazy? I play that on the bus every morning. I know, Suzie said, holding up her pinkie for a pinkie swear.

So do we have a deal or not? I thought about it for two seconds, and then I held up my pinkie. Deal, I said as we locked pinkies. I really didnt want her to have it for a week, but if I had to clean up the bathroom, Id miss the field trip. I turned and ran out of the bathroom, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. Good morning, Freddy, said my mom. Thats a very interesting outfit you have on today.

My dad looked up from reading the newspaper and chuckled. Im pretty sure a shirt is required at school. Its not the beach, you know. I know. I know, I said. But I cant finish getting dressed until I have my red shirt.

Why not, honey? said my mom. Remember, my class is going to Apple Hill Orchard today, and Mrs. Wushy said that we have to wear something red. The only red thing I have is that T-shirt Grandma bought me for Christmas. I have to find it, I said, jumping up and down. I just have to.

OK, OK, calm down, said my mom. Did you look in your T-shirt drawer? Yes, I said. I bet its in the bathroom, said my dad. No, I looked there, too. Maybe its in the laundry room, said my mom. I did do a load of laundry yesterday.

Can you check? Can you check? I said, jumping around in my pajama bottoms. My mom left the room. You look like a monkey, jumping around like that, my dad said, laughing. And you smell like one, too, Suzie said as she walked into the kitchen. Suzie, thats not very nice to say to your brother, said my dad. Well, he is a stinky monkey, Suzie said, sitting down at the table.

Suuuzieee, said my dad. You need to apologize to your brother. Fine. Sorry, Suzie said. I knew she didnt mean it, but I didnt have time to argue. I had to find that red shirt, or I was going to miss the bus.

Mom, do you see it? I yelled. Just then my mom came back into the kitchen. Sorry, Freddy, it still needs to be washed. But I found Suzies red sweatshirt and your favorite shark T-shirt. Will that work? she asked, holding up the sweatshirt. OK! Thanks, Mom.

Youre the best, I said, giving her a big hug. Well, Freddy, youd better run back upstairs and finish getting dressed, said my mom. You dont want to get on the bus half-naked. No! I laughed. That would be REALLY embarrassing! I ran upstairs, put on my shirt and the hooded sweatshirt, and went flying back into the kitchen. Now Im ready! I announced.

Um arent you forgetting something? said Suzie. For your information, I am wearing underwear. Ewwww. Thats not what I meant, Hammerhead. Look down. I looked down at my feet.

I had on my fire truck slippers. Oops, I said, my face getting warm. I know youre supposed to wear something red, but if Max saw those, he might never stop laughing, said Suzie, smiling. That would be an interesting trip to the orchard, in your slippers, my dad said. Oh yeah, I said. That was a close one.

Id better go change. I ran back up the stairs, two by two. I got back down just in time to grab a breakfast bar and my backpack, and head out the door to hop on the bus.