Part 4 (1/2)
I puckered up my lips. And I blowed that guy a kiss.
”Thank you for the beautiful valentime, Paul,” I said.
Paulie Allen Puffer looked strange at me.
”Paul? Who's Paul? What beautiful valentine? My valentine was the one with the oozy slime monster on the front,” he said. ”Don't you remember it?”
Just then, I made a face. 'Cause I remembered it, of course.
I hurried up back to my seat again.
That's when I saw a boy named Ham. And Ham hardly even knows knows me. And so he was worth a try, I think. me. And so he was worth a try, I think.
I quick went to his table.
”Okay, Ham. I'm running out of patience here. So listen very careful.”
I faced my eyeball at him.
”Wink, wink, okay? Now are you my secret admirer or not? And please tell me the truth. Or you will be sorry.”
Ham sticked out his tongue at me.
Also he put his thumbs in his ears. And he flapped his hands up and down.
”All rightie,” I said. ”I'm going to take that as a no.”
After that, I went back to my table. And I sat down real fusstrated.
I put my head in my hands very glum.
'Cause guess what?
Finding a secret admirer is not as easy as it sounds.
8/Who Knew?
Pretty soon, the bell rang for recess.
I hurried over to my friend Grace. 'Cause maybe she she would help me find my secret admirer. would help me find my secret admirer.
Both of us skipped outside to the playground.
Then all of a sudden, I stopped real fast! 'Cause I accidentally left my beautiful valentime on the table! And I didn't want anyone to take that lovely thing!
”Wait, Grace! Wait right here! I will be back in a jiffy!” I said.
After that, I ran my fastest back to Room Nine.
And guess what?
I spied that Meanie Jim at my table!
And he was picking up my beautiful card!
”HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, MISTER?” I yelled real loud.
Then I zoomed to my table zippedy quick. And I yanked that card right out of his mitts!
After that, I started running to the door. But Meanie Jim springed in front of me. And he held up his hand.
”Stop!” he yelled. ”Don't take that valentine outside! If you take it outside, you'll get it dirty.”
I made squinty eyes at that boy.
”No, I will not get it dirty,” I said back. ”And anyway, this is not your beeswax, Jim.”
Jim stamped his foot.
”Yes, it too my beeswax, Looney B. Jones!” he yelled. ”That card costed me a whole month's allowance! And I don't want you to get dirt on it!”
As soon as he said it, he quick put his hands over his mouth.
But I already heard his words.
I did a gasp.
”You, Jim? You are the one who bought this card?” I asked. ”Why? How come? Is this some kind of meanie boy joke?” Jim? You are the one who bought this card?” I asked. ”Why? How come? Is this some kind of meanie boy joke?”
Jim started sputtering a real lot.
”Yes. I mean, no. Uh, I mean, I didn't buy that card. It just looks looks like it costed a lot of money, that's all. And whoever bought it spent his whole allowance, I bet.” like it costed a lot of money, that's all. And whoever bought it spent his whole allowance, I bet.”
I kept on staring at that boy. 'Cause something smelled like fish here, that's why.
”But if you're not the one who gave me that valentime, then how come you're acting so funny, Jim?” I asked. ”And how come your words are sputtery and nervous? And how come your face is reddish and blotchish?”
Just then, Jim clunked himself in the head.
”Darn it! I knew knew I'd ruin it! I always ruin everything! Now everybody in Room Nine will know that I like you! And I wanted it to stay a secret!” he said. I'd ruin it! I always ruin everything! Now everybody in Room Nine will know that I like you! And I wanted it to stay a secret!” he said.
All of a sudden, my whole face felt happy.
”You like me, Jim? You really, really like me? 'Cause you never acted like you like me. And so since when did you like me? That's what I would like to know.”
Jim's face got a silly look on it.
”I've always liked you,” he said real quiet. ”I just act act like I don't like you, so n.o.body will know I like you.” like I don't like you, so n.o.body will know I like you.”