Green Algae and Bubble Gum Wars by Annie Bryant Page A

Connie’s pick, but they were all just so ordinary. She slumped down on the stool in the dressing room in defeat, kicking the pile of bras on the floor as she swung her legs back and forth.
    Suddenly she heard a familiar voice coming from the changing room beside her. “He’s so cute, and so nice…but I just can’t figure out if he likes me or not!”
    Maeve gasped. It was Elena Maria.
    â€œAre you kidding me? Of course he likes you! Wheneveryou walk by he turns bright red and can barely even speak. I think it’s adorable,” replied another girl.
    â€œWell, even if he did like me, it’s not like there’s anything I can do about it…Jimmy would flip.”
    Maeve, who did not want to be caught listening, quickly gathered up her clothes and tried to run back out of the changing room unseen. Unfortunately, this just didn’t seem to be a lucky day for her.
    â€œMaeve! Wh-what are you doing here!” Elena Maria cried.
    Busted! Maeve slowly turned around to meet Elena Maria’s eyes. She recognized the girl with her as one of Elena Maria’s best friends, Cammy Dooley. Cammy was known as a little bit of a gossip anyway, which made Maeve feel not quite as bad for accidentally listening in.
    Maeve didn’t know what was worse—being caught with an armful of bras, or being caught listening to her best friend’s older sister’s private conversation. “I was just. You know. Shopping…” Her cheeks felt very warm.
    Elena Maria looked around, and Maeve noticed that her cheeks were burning too. “Did you, um, hear what we were talking about?”
    â€œWell, duh, Elena! She was right there…,” Cammy pointed out.
    â€œMaeve…” A slow smile crept into the corner of Elena Maria’s mouth. “Are you… bra shopping ?”
    There was no denying the mountain of bras in Maeve’s arms. “Sorta, kinda, yeah,” Maeve admitted. “This is actually my first time,” she added shyly.
    â€œNo way! How’s it going?” asked Elena Maria.
    Maeve shook her head. “Not so good. My mom’ssomewhere around here, trying to help, I guess. But, Elena, ugh, our taste is just so not the same!”
    Elena Maria nodded. “It was the same with my mom. But all the preteen bras are usually tucked away towards the back and some are mixed in with some of the sports bras. No one tells the mothers that. Now, check these out!” Elena Maria and Cammy led the way through several aisles to a rack of bras near the back, which Maeve deemed absolutely perfect.
    Maeve selected some bras in a few different sizes and tried them on in a flash. She ran out of the dressing room with a huge smile pasted to her face. “Miracle of miracles!” Maeve exclaimed, quoting a song from Fiddler on the Roof —one of her absolute favorite musicals. “I found some that fit and are super cute! And they’re on sale too. Buy one get one free. My mom is going to be soooo happy.”
    Elena Maria offered Maeve a good-natured smile. “Well, I’m happy to help. Will you just promise me one thing?”
    â€œSure,” Maeve replied. “Anything.”
    â€œUm, just don’t mention to the BSG what you heard us talking about in the dressing room…I’d be really embarrassed…”
    Maeve put her hand over her heart. “Absolutely. You have my word. And…um…can you keep it private about seeing me here, either? I haven’t exactly told them about…you know…getting a bra, yet.”
    Elena Maria extended her pinky for a good, old-fashioned pinky swear. The girls locked fingers and Elena Maria assured her, “Don’t worry for an instant, Maeve. Your secret’s safe with me!”
    As Maeve waved good-bye to the two older girls, shecouldn’t help envying Isabel. How lucky she was to have such a cool, knowledgeable older sister.
    Ms. Kaplan and Maeve were very