Chapter 34

(Bakersville middle school, 2005)

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“Ashley Brown is having a birthday party and she’s invited the whole class, can I go?” Emily asked her Mom.

“Is Gabriel going?” Terry asked.

“Yes.”

“I’ll pick you up at 9,” she said.

The party wasn’t for another two days but Emily had wanted to ask early, just in case Terry needed convincing. She hadn’t expected it to be so easy. She went up to her room. she couldn’t wait to tell Gabriel.

She had been surprised that Ashley, the most popular girl in school, had invited everyone in their homeroom to her birthday party. She had expected her to only invite the popular kids and Emily had been prepared to stay in and catch up on her reading.

This was new for her. She’d been to birthday parties, but never to a popular person’s birthday party. She would have to talk to Gabriel, and get a few pointers from him on how to act cool and not embarrass herself.

The school was abuzz the next day. Everyone was talking about Ashley’s party. She was just as excited