Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King

brother who were sprawled out in the last two rows of the bus.
    I sighed heavily, already dreading my daily commute, even though I had bigger problems to worry about. I had no idea how I was going to ask Lucinda for a dress. I knew our cash was gone, leaving only the seven dollar voucher from the thrift store. I was sure I could find something suitable there, but convincing Lucinda was a whole other story. I would have to phrase it just right and wait for the perfect moment to spring it on her.
    The bus driver made two stops before finally stopping in front of Shady Lane. Kevin and I piled out before Bethany, Matt and several younger kids I had seen playing throughout the trailer park over the past couple of days.
    A cold gust of air hit us in the face as we made our way down the dirt path toward our trailer.
    “So what do think of Mun-crapville?’ Bethany asked, catching up to me.
    “I like it,” I answered honestly.
    She looked disappointed at my words. “I guess you would,” she muttered condescendingly, slowing her pace to trail behind me.
    “What does that mean?” I asked, puzzled by her tone.
    “I mean that Max has taken quite a liking to you. It won’t last, though. You need money coming out your ass to fit in with them,” she said, looking at me knowingly.
    “What makes you say that, and besides, why would that matter anyway?” I asked, almost sarcastically.
    “I just know from past experience. They all think they're better than trailer park trash like us,” she said sadly, all bite leaving her voice as she shuffled off to join her brother.
    I pondered her words, climbing the steps to our trailer. Were my new friends really that superficial? Max already knew about the food stamps and the beat-up car, surely, living in a trailer park wouldn’t be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
    The next day dawned with a not-so-pleasant surprise of several inches of frozen snow blanketing the ground, making for a miserable walk to the bus stop.
    “This sucks,” Kevin grumbled, shivering as he slipped for the twentieth time.
    "I know, right,” I said, reaching to steady him once again.
    “Why is it so slippery? It wasn't like this in Colorado,” he complained.
    “I don't know, but it's freakin cold. Bet you’re glad I forced those long johns on you now?” I said, slinging my arm around his shoulders to help his balance.
    “Heck yeah, I’m still cold even with all these clothes on,” he said, indicating the bulk that encased his narrow frame.
    “At least we know school will be toasty warm,” I reminded him.
    “True dat, sista,” he said, using his gangsta voice.
    “Needs work,” I said.
    The bus rumbled to a stop and we all boarded, sighing with pleasure as the heat of the interior soaked through our cold limbs. By the time we got to school, we were all nicely thawed out and didn’t relish the short hike to get to the front door.
    “You need a hat,” I told Kevin as we raced up the school steps with our heads down, hoping to ward off the chill.
    “I know,” he said with bright red cheeks.
    “Maybe when Jim finds a job, we can ask Mom, okay?” I reassured him.
    He nodded before heading off toward his class after a boy his age called his name.
    Class seemed to fly by that day. It was obvious from the moment I walked through the door that Max had told everyone about our upcoming date. I flushed uncomfortably as I met Rebecca’s eyes. She gave me a small smile, which was a relief. At least that was less one obstacle I needed to obsess over.
    Max was as engaging as ever, and I couldn’t resist the magnetism between us. I pushed Bethany’s claims to the back of my mind. For once in my life, it seemed possible that everything could work out.
    Mr. Hanson snagged me at the end of math class to give me the results of my assessment.
    “Well, Katelyn, your basic math is dead on. You scored very high in all those categories. Fractions and algebra seem to be your kryptonite,” he said, smiling at