The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney Page B

rest of the night. Because believe me, I was NOT in the mood for skating.

    [Image: Two boys sitting .]
    The caption reads: "
    CAN I GO GET A SODA?

    NO.
    "

    You know, I probably should've realized a long time ago that Holly wasn't worth my time. Somebody who would mistake ME for FREGLEY definitely has something wrong with them.
    I'm officially DONE with girls. I should just ask Dad to see if Spag Union has early admission, because there's really no point in me sticking around here anymore.
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    J
    UNE

    Friday

    Today was the last day of school, and everybody was in a good mood but me. Everyone ELSE is looking forward to having fun this summer, but all I've got to look forward to is sit-ups and marching drills.
    At lunch, everyone handed their yearbooks around for people to sign, and when I got mine back, here's what was on the last page-
    [Image: A note.] The caption reads: "Don't be a fool Be cool Slick"
    At first I couldn't figure out who "Slick" was, but then I realized it was just Rowley. A couple of days ago, Rowley was standing near an older kid's locker, and the guy wanted Rowley to move.
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    So here's what the guy said-
    [Image: A big boy warning the other.] The caption reads: "STEP AWAY FROM MY LOCKER, SLICK."
    So I guess now Rowley thinks "Slick" is his permanent nickname or something. I just hope he doesn't expect ME to say it.
    I flipped through the pages to see who else signed my yearbook, and there was one that made me stop in my tracks. It was from Holly Hills.
    First of all, she wrote my actual name, so that means she figured out who I was since Friday night. And second, she wrote "K.I.T." at the end, which everyone knows means "Keep in Touch." You'd better BELIEVE I'm gonna take her up on her offer.
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    [Image: A note.] The caption reads: "Greg, I don't really know you all that well, but you seem O.K., I guess.
    K.I.T.
    Holly"
    I handed my yearbook to Rowley to show him what Holly wrote. But then he showed me what she wrote in HIS yearbook, and it kind of made her note to me look lame.
    [Image: A boy showing a note to the other boy.] The caption reads: "Dear Rowley, you are so adorable & funny! I hope we have the same homeroom next year. Stay cute!
    Love, Holly"
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    A couple of minutes later, Holly's yearbook came around, and I had a chance to sign it. So here's what I put-
    [Image: A note.] The caption reads: "Dear Holly-
    You are a nice person and all, but I only think of you as a friend.
    From, Slick"
    The way I see it, I just did Rowley a HUGE favor. I don't want to see him get his heart stomped on by Holly Hills, because the truth is, girls can be a little cruel sometimes.

    Saturday

    Today was my only day of summer vacation, and I had to spend it at Seth Snella's half-birthday party. I asked Mom to let me stay home so I could enjoy myself, but she said we were going to the party as a family.
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    Dad didn't even bother fighting it, because he knew HE wasn't getting out of it, either.
    So at 1:00 we walked across the street to the Snellas' house.
    [Image: Children walking in a line with their food trays.]
    The Snellas really did it up this year. They had a clown making balloon animals, and a moon bounce for the kids.
    They even had live music. Rodrick was pretty sore over that because his band, Löded Diper, tried out for the job, but the Snellas turned them down.
    Everyone ate lunch, and then at 3:30 the main event started.
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    Mr. and Mrs. Snella had all the adults line up in front of Seth, and they all took turns trying to make him smile. Mr. Henrich went first.
    [Image: A man playing with the baby as the family looks.] The caption reads: "SQUAWK!
    SQUAWK!"
    I noticed Dad looking really nervous at the back of the line. At one point I walked by Dad to get myself some cupcakes, and he stopped me. He told me if I could get him out of this situation, he'd owe me BIG-time.
    [Image: A man ask for food from the boy.]
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    I thought it was pretty ironic that Dad would be asking ME for a favor,