Lone Bean (6 page)

Chapter 11
Grounded

“S
it down by Mr. Bloodsoe's door,” Ms. Gloria said without a smile.

This wasn't the Ms. Gloria I knew, but I guess I seemed like a very different Bean to her too.

I flopped into the chair and waited for Mr. Bloodsoe. I couldn't stop shaking. Mr. Bloodsoe is scary. He's so hairy that even his neck is covered. His eyes bulge out of his skull and his teeth are pointy like daggers. He looks like an ogre who lives in a cave.

Creeeak!
The door to his office slowly opened. I covered my mouth so I wouldn't scream as he lumbered toward me.

“This way,” growled Mr. Bloodsoe. He motioned with his big, thick, hairy arm. He walked into the office behind me and sat at his huge, messy desk.

“It wasn't . . . um . . . I didn't . . . This is all a big mistake. I promise to be good and . . . um . . . I won't be bad anymore,” I stammered. Then I smiled my warmest please-forgive-me smile.

“If you didn't do it, then who did?” he growled.

I zipped my lips because I knew I couldn't tattle. Tanisha would kill me for sure.

“This is not like you, Chrysanthemum. We've never had any problems with you before.”

“And you won't ever have any again. I promise I'll be good and I'll listen and I'll . . .” I kept babbling on, but I stopped short when Mr. Bloodsoe picked up the phone. Was he gonna call security to haul me away? The cops to arrest me?

“I'm going to have to call your parents,” he said.

Oh no! That was even worse. Tears started to creep into my eyes as he pressed one number at a time. I hoped and hoped and hoped that no one would answer, but no luck.

“Hello, Mr. Gibson, sir. This is Mr. Bloodsoe from Coliseum Elementary. I have Chrysanthemum here in my office. She has been giving her teacher some problems.”

I buried my face in my hands.

“Yes, Ms. Sullivan said that she's been throwing things and talking back in class, and today, a little girl was hurt badly because of her mischief.”

He had it all wrong! None of this was my fault.

“Thank you, sir. I am sure you will,” Mr. Bloodsoe said as he hung up the phone and turned to me. “If Ms. Sullivan has any more problems with you, there are going to be some serious consequences, Chrysanthemum. Do you understand?”

I didn't think this was a good time to tell him that my name is actually Bean. Instead, I nodded and said, “Yes, sir. I will be a good girl. I promise.”

The minute he stood up, I rushed out of the office. I was too embarrassed to look at Ms. Gloria. I headed right back to class. Ms. Sullivan gave me an angry glare as I slid into my seat.

I felt really, really superbad when I saw that Carla's seat was empty. I looked over at Terrible Tanisha and she was smiling to herself. She was definitely not going to be my friend anymore. I would rather be alone forever.

I made it through the rest of the day without even opening my mouth. When the bell finally rang, I lined up and tried to be invisible as the class walked to the playground.

“Bean, may I speak to you for a second?” Ms. Sullivan asked before I could make it over to Rose, who was waiting by the fence.

“Yes, ma'am,” I said, trying to be as polite as I could.

“I would like you to think about your behavior and how it affects others. Carla got hurt today.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“And you will have to stay in for recess for the rest of the week,” she added.

“Yes, ma'am,” I agreed, even though it made me really sad. I said good-bye and headed over to Rose.

“What was all that about, Bean?” she asked. “Ms. Sullivan looked upset.”

“Tanisha slammed Carla with the door and she got really hurt. They blamed me and I got in big trouble.”

Tears started rolling down my cheeks again. I tried to hold them in my eyes, but it was no use. Rose put her arm around my shoulder. I must have really looked upset, because even Gardenia didn't make fun of me as we walked home.

I slowed to a snail's crawl as I spotted the house up ahead. I didn't wanna face Dad. When we got there, Rose swung the door open and I crept in, snuck to the computer, and plopped myself down. I needed to email Tanya, but before I could even log on, Dad came down the stairs.

“No computer!” he barked.

I couldn't even get a word out before he was shuffling me up the stairs and into my room.

“No TV and no playing outside. We will talk about this when your mother gets home,” Dad said. He shut the door, and he didn't leave it open a crack like he usually does.

I dropped my backpack and sprawled across my bed. I couldn't stop thinking about poor Carla. I hoped her nose wasn't broken. What if she had to go to the hospital? What if my mom saw her there?

My head was spinning, but I finally finished my homework. Then I braided my doll's hair, stared at the wall, and flipped through my Ramona book. I could hear Rose and her friend Gina playing hopscotch outside. I wished I could go out and play with them, even though they wouldn't have let me anyway.

I could hear Gardenia practicing her flute downstairs. That's it! Maybe I could practice my violin to keep my mind off things. Dad had taught me the scales, and I could almost get through them without screeching. I took my violin out and started playing the notes over and over and over again.

“Dad told me to deliver this to you,” Rose said as she placed a tray on the table next to my bed. Chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese—
yum!
But not so yummy when you have to eat it all alone in your bedroom.

“This is my fault,” she said before she left. “I knew I shouldn't have let you hang out with that girl.”

“No, it's not. It's my fault. I was just so lonely without Carla, you know.”

“I know,” she said, then headed back downstairs.

I plopped myself down on the floor and ate my grilled cheese. Dad had made it just right. I dipped the grilled cheese in the soup and gobbled it all up. When I was done, I got back to practicing the violin. I played and played and played . . . anything to stop thinking about Carla.

It was getting late. It must have been almost bedtime, which meant that Mom was sure to be home any minute. I started getting nervous. What if Mom and Dad didn't believe me? What if they yelled and screamed? What if they got so mad, they made me go live at Grand Mommy's?

I went to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my favorite pajamas with the clouds on them. And waited. Just as I climbed into bed, Mom and Dad came into my room. Dad still looked mad and Mom looked worried. I don't know which made me feel worse.

“Bean, we are very disappointed,” Dad started. “You have always been such a good girl.”

“What's going on, baby?” said Mom. She sat on the edge of my bed.

“It was all a big mistake. I missed Tanya and Carla, and I thought being friends with Tanisha was a good idea, but it wasn't.”

The tears started to fall from my eyes and down onto my sheets. I told Mom and Dad everything while Mom wrapped her arms around me and held me tight.

“I'm so sorry,” I cried. “I messed up big-time.”

“It's okay to make mistakes as long as we learn and grow from them,” Dad said.

I didn't think I had grown any bigger, but I had learned for sure.

“I'll be better. I promise.”

“And tomorrow you have to tell Carla how sorry you are,” Mom said as she gave me a warm hug.

“I will,” I agreed.

“You're still grounded for the rest of the week,” Dad said. “No computer. No TV. No playing outside.”

I didn't want to be grounded, but before they left, Dad hugged me too, so I knew everything was gonna be all right.

They turned out the lights and closed the door. This time, they left it open just a crack like I like it.

I tossed and turned all night. I was scared to face Carla. The night seemed to last forever, but still the sun came up too soon. I covered my head with my blanket to block my eyes from the sun rays. I was hoping I could hide there for the rest of third grade.

“Bean, get up!” Gardenia yelled.

“
Ughh
. . . ,” I moaned, hoping she would leave me alone.

“What's wrong with you?” She yanked the covers off my head.

“I'm sick!” I said, thinking fast.

“No, you're not. Now get out of bed, so you don't make us all late.”

“
Aggggh . . . uggggh
. . .” I winced, using my best acting skills. I was the star of the second-grade holiday play last year, you know. Okay, maybe not the actual star, but I played the star at the top of the tree, which was a very important role.

“I think Bean isn't feeling well,” Gardenia called out to Dad.

“What's wrong?” he asked as he placed his warm hand on my head.

“My head is killing me. My stomach feels icky. My eyes are blurry and my hangnails are hurting!”

“Wow!” Dad exclaimed, surprised at how sick I was. “We'd better get your mother to come check on you.”

Mom's a nurse, as you know, so she was gonna be much harder to fool than Dad.

“You're not feeling well, baby?” Mom slid into bed next to me.

I squinted my eyes and hugged my knees as I listed my symptoms again. This time, I threw in a cough and a couple moans and groans for effect.

“Looks to me like you've got a severe case of Gooblety Gash.”

“Sounds serious,” said Dad.

“Is she gonna die?” Gardenia asked.

Maybe I really was sick with Gooblety Gash. I was too young to die! My head started to pound. My hands shook and my stomach twisted and turned. I was sick!

“We need to take you right to the hospital and get you into surgery or this could be fatal,” Mom said.

“I don't want to have surgery!” I yelled. I hopped out of bed and jumped up and down.

“All you've got is a severe case of I Don't Want to Go to School,” Mom said, laughing. “You've got to be strong and face your fears.”

“Whoa . . . wait a second,” I said, but then I got it. “Fine.” I pouted as I stomped to the bathroom to get ready for school.

Chapter 12
It's Hard to Say I'm Sorry

W
hen we got to school, that sick feeling came back, right in my stomach.

“I have to stay after school today to work on a science project. Wait on the playground till I get there to pick you up. Okay?” Rose said.

I was scared to face Carla. I shook my head no and held Rose tight.

“You're gonna be fine,” she said when she finally pried herself loose. “See you later.”

I watched Rose disappear, then walked straight to Ms. Sullivan to apologize, but nothing seemed to come from my lips.

“What is it, Bean?” she asked.

“I, um . . . well, see, sorry . . . 'cause, you know.” The words got all jumbled and nothing made sense. She just stared down at me like I was crazy, patted me on the shoulder, and told me to go line up. I decided to try again tomorrow when the thoughts in my head weren't so scrambled.

I spotted Carla. Her nose was all red and swollen and there was a big pink Band-Aid on her face. I tried to think of the right words to say as I got closer, but I couldn't seem to find them. I looked at my toes as I walked past her.

All day, I tried to stay as far from Carla and Sam as I could. I wanted to say I was sorry, but I didn't know how.

Tanisha was being extra mean to me too. She tripped me in the hall, broke my pencil, and knocked all my books on the floor. I knew she just wanted to be friends again, but she sure had a funny way of showing it.

At lunch, I had no one to sit with. Gardenia was at a crowded table full of giggling fifth graders. I walked up with my lunch bag, but she just turned her back to me and kept laughing with her friends. Gardenia is probably the worst sister on planet Earth.

I scanned the room for another seat. I spotted an empty table right by the door, but just as I was about to plop myself down, Gabrielle shimmied onto the bench. I stopped. I hadn't said one word to her since the muddy-water incident, and I still felt really awful.

“Hello, Bean,” she said, like she wasn't even mad at me.

“Hello,” I said tentatively, in case this was a trick or something.

“Would you like to sit with me for lunch?”

“Okay,” I said, but I was confused. Why was she being so nice?

“I'm not mad at you anymore,” Gabrielle said. “My mother said that
forgiveness is next to godliness,
so I let it go. But you better not do anything like that again or I may not be so
godly
.”

“I promise,” I said sincerely. “I really am sorry.”

I slid into the seat across from her and pulled out my ham sandwich, red Jell-O, and juice box. Gabrielle pulled out a plastic bowl of icky green salad with stinky pink fish on the top.

“Ugh!” I scrunched up my nose. “I don't eat anything green and definitely nothing smelly from the ocean.”

“Green things are good for you and so is fish,” she said, but then I saw her glance at my food hungrily. “My mom won't let me eat anything unhealthy.”

I watched her stab her fork into her lettuce as I chowed down on my sandwich, which was superdelicious, with orange cheese and mayonnaise. I felt bad that she had to eat that nasty green stuff.

“Want my Jell-O, Gabrielle?” I asked, even though it was a little hard to let it go. I love red Jell-O, but I knew she would really like it too.

“Really? I've never had Jell-O before.”

“You're kidding!” I nearly shouted. “Everyone eats Jell-O.”

“Not me,” she said. “I have always wanted to try, but I'm not allowed.”

“Wow!” I said, still in shock.

“Thank you so very much,” she said as she dug right in and scooped a wiggly spoonful. “Mmm . . . that is so good!”

“I know! You should try the purple one too! It's grape flavored.”

“Refried Bean and Goony Gaby sitting in a tree!” Terrible Tanisha said as she threw a balled-up dirty napkin right at us.

I don't know what I was thinking being friends with that girl. She is m-e-a-n MEAN! I ignored her because I was way too busy telling Gabrielle about all the yummy flavors of Jell-O and all the other sweet and sugary bad stuff she just had to try! Afterward, we threw out our trash and skipped back to the classroom chatting the whole way about Cheetos, Sour Snakes, Slurpees, and cookie dough.

In the afternoon, Ms. Sullivan took us to the computer lab. I chose a computer all the way in the last row, next to Gabrielle. I was about to open up the word games, which are my favorite, when I had a great idea! I decided to send Carla an “I'm sorry” email!

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Im sooooooooo soory.

Carla--

Im so sorry u got hurt. It was not me tho. Tanisha is mean and pushed the door and blamed me. Im sorry. Dont b mad at me.

Bean :)

 

I watched Carla from the corner of my eye to see if she had read my email yet, and while I waited and waited, I went back to playing word games, making words from letters floating across the screen. Sure enough, after a couple minutes, Carla turned around in her seat and stared right at me. She must have read my email. I smiled my biggest “I'm so-o-o-o-o-o sorry” smile and I thought she smiled back. I mean it was kinda a smile, like a half smile.

When the bell rang for the end of the day, we grabbed our backpacks, lined up, and headed out to the playground. I couldn't go home yet, though, since Rose had to stay after school. While Gardenia ran around with her friends, I just sat and leaned against the fence with my eyes closed.

It was fun when me and Carla used to play after school. We would act like monkeys and try to swing all the way across the jungle gym without touching the ground. My hands would burn and my arms would ache, but we still had so much fun because we were together.

I snapped out of my daydream when a basketball bounced between my legs. I opened my eyes. Sam was standing right above me.

“Um . . . hi,” I said, holding the ball. She just stood there with a sort of angry, give-me-my-ball-back kinda look, so I continued, “I didn't do it, you know. It was Tanisha and I feel really bad. I would never hurt Carla. Never!”

“I know,” she finally said, softening her glare. “Tanisha is so mean.”

“I don't know what I was thinking hanging out with her,” I said. I threw the ball back to Sam.

She caught it easily and started dribbling it with her left hand. Then she switched to her right hand mindlessly, like she was thinking something over before answering me. Finally, she said, “Do you wanna shoot some hoops?”

“Really?” I asked. “You're not angry at me?”

“I was mad, but I believe you, Bean. I know you would never do something that mean. That's the work of Tanisha for sure.” Sam threw me the ball. “So, you wanna play or not?”

“Okay,” I agreed, of course.

I dribbled the best I could, which was not very good at all. I had to use two hands instead of one and stare right at the ball. I threw it back to her and we ran over to the hoop.

“Let's play Pig,” she suggested.

Pig is a fun game! Here is how you play: One person shoots the basketball, and if she gets it in the hoop, then the other person has to stand in the exact same spot and try to get it in too. If she misses the shot, then she gets a
P
. If she misses it again, she gets an
I
and then a
G
and then you lose because P-I-G spells pig, you know.

Sam got her first two shots in, but I missed mine, of course. I've never been too good at basketball. Then Sam did a layup and got another one in. I ran and leaped just like she did, but my ball swirled around the rim and fell to the side. I got PIG pretty quick, but I didn't care. It was still fun to play.

We shot hoops till Sam's big brother, Marcus, came to get her. Marcus is in middle school with Rose. He is so cute! His skin is like caramel. He's tall and has perfectly cornrowed hair. His eyes are the most gorgeous shade of green, and even though I h-a-t-e HATE the color green, I like it in Marcus's eyeballs. I don't have a crush on him or anything. . . . Okay, well, maybe just a little.

“Hey, little Bean,” Marcus said with a wink.

“Hi,” I said, trying to stay calm while pretending that butterflies weren't going crazy in my tummy. Rose came up, and I could tell she had butterflies too.

“Oh, hey, Marcus,” she said.

“Hi, Rose,” he said as he motioned for Sam to follow him. “See you guys later.”

“Yeah. Sure. Yes. That would be great,” Rose said.

“See ya tomorrow, Sam!” I shouted behind them.

“See ya!” Sam called over her shoulder.

“Rose has a boyfriend! Rose has a boyfriend!” Gardenia ran up, singing, when Sam and Marcus were gone. She didn't stop teasing Rose the whole way home.

When we walked in the door, I gave Dad a squeeze.

“How was today?” he asked.

“I didn't get in any trouble,” I said, and then I headed straight up to my room without even being told. I was gonna be a good girl from now on, for sure!

I finished my homework and practiced my violin all before dinnertime. After dinner, I practiced some more. I was getting much better at the violin. Dad said he would teach me the song “Twinkle Twinkle” to play at the recital, which was great because I already know how it goes.

When Mom got home from work, she came and tucked me in. “Dad said you did well today.”

“Yep,” I let her know. “And I'm gonna be good from now on.”

“I like the sound of that!” she said as she turned out the lights.

Even though Carla still wasn't my friend, I felt like everything was getting a little bit better. It was fun playing with Sam after school and I liked having lunch with Gabrielle and Ms. Sullivan didn't hate me anymore and I was getting excited about the recital and . . .
zzzz
. . . .