Stop the Presses! by Rachel Wise Page B

didn’t, and Danny ran to first safely.
    I tried to slink back to my seat, but stumbled and spilled my drink all over myself. A bunch of people on the Cherry Valley side laughed, and Hailey’s friends hooted and hollered like it was the funniest thing they had ever seen. I saw Hailey put her hands over her face. I guess she thought it was hysterical too.
    I didn’t see the rest of the game. I was covered with blue drink, which was probably appropriate, because it matched the way I felt—blue. I went to my seat and explained to Mr. Trigg that I needed to go home and change. He understoodand offered me a ride home, but I needed to walk off the embarrassment. I told him to enjoy the rest of the game; then I texted Mom to let her know I was on the way. I crept back down the bleachers and left the field, feeling as alone as I had all week.
    Mom met me at the door. Somehow she was acting even more suspiciously than she had earlier. She was holding a new shirt in her hand.
    â€œI’m sorry you didn’t have a great time,” she said. “I was really hoping you would.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said. “What’s with the shirt?”
    â€œOh, Mr. Trigg called and told me about your accident,” she said. “He said you needed to change.”
    â€œI do,” I said. “But I can go upstairs and do that.”
    â€œOh no, don’t,” Mom said, opening the door to her office. “Just change in here. I thought we could run out and get some ice cream.”
    â€œI don’t really feel like having another snack,” I said. “And why can’t I go upstairs?”
    â€œOkay, I’ll confess,” Mom said. “Allie and Istarted working on your room. She had a great idea and wanted to surprise you. I think you’ll really like it.”
    â€œAllie’s doing my room !” I cried. “What if I hate it?”
    â€œIf you do, we’ll do it over,” Mom said. “Just let her try, Sam. It really means a lot to her.”
    â€œFine.” I huffed. “But don’t think I will not call a do over. And now you owe me a triple-scoop cone.”
    â€œYou got it,” Mom said as she grabbed her car keys. “Now change your shirt and meet me in the car.”

Chapter 10

BIG SISTER FOR THE WIN!

    I’m sure you’re wondering how I could control myself and not rush up the stairs to see what Allie was doing to my room. If it had happened at any other time, that’s probably exactly what I would do. But I was tired of fighting, and tired of being upset, so I thought it would be easier to just give in and let Mom buy me ice cream. I knew that whatever Allie did would look good, because it always does. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be “me,” though.
    I was 100 percent, absolutely, positively sure I was going to return and find my room bright and colorful and “sparkling with pizzazz,” and that even if it didn’t need a complete do over, I was going to have a lot of work to do to tone it down a few notches.
    Mom stalled as much as she could. After ice cream, we stopped at the mall; then we went to theoffice supply store to pick up some ink and printing paper, and then finally we returned home. Allie was sitting at the kitchen counter, trying to look calm and cool, but I could tell she was really excited. I didn’t think I had it in me to hide how I would really feel.
    â€œClose your eyes, Sam,” Allie said as she grabbed my hand.
    She led me up the stairs, and we stopped at the entrance to my room.
    â€œOkay, you can look now,” she said, clapping her hands with delight before I could even sneak a peek.
    I actually gasped when I opened my eyes. It couldn’t have been more perfect if Allie had snuck into my brain and pulled out a vision of my perfect room.
    Three of the walls were painted a grayish lavender. It was subtle; it was pretty; it was so, so me. Allie had stenciled