Times Squared Read Online Free

she also looked even more silly than usual. Our ice machine was broken. So my sister was holding a bag of frozen peas against her forehead.
    I couldn’t make fun of her, though. I had a bag of frozen corn niblets against mine.
    â€œMom, Dad,” I said. “May we peas go on the class trip to New York City?”
    â€œThat was corny ,” Payton shot back.
    â€œOkay, Veggie Twins,” our mother said, checking under our bags. “It looks like the swelling has gone down.”
    Whew. Emma and I put down our bags.
    â€œYou realize that next weekend is my annual medical-supply conference,” our father said.
    â€œOh!” our mother exclaimed. “I’ve got a speaking engagement at the science writers conference! The girls would have to go without us.”
    â€œThere will be other chaperones there,” I said.
    â€œAnd we’ll be just a phone call away,” my sister reminded them. “Thanks to your generousness of giving us our own cell phones.”
    â€œGenerosity,” I said, correcting her.
    â€œWhatever,” Payton said. “The point is that we will be extra good.”
    â€œAnd it is a wonderful opportunity for both of us,” I added. “May we go?”
    Our parents looked at each other. Payton and I looked at each other. It didn’t take twin telepathy to know we were both thinking, Say yes!
    â€œI’d say it’s a yes,” our father said, looking at our mom.
    â€œA double yes,” our mother said, looking at both of us. And smiling.
    â€œAaaaaah!” Payton and I screamed, and jumped up from the table. “We’re going to New York City!”
    We danced and jumped around and screamed some more.
    â€œGive me those peas.” Mom sighed and held the bag up to her head.
    â€œIt’s going to be a long two weeks,” Dad said, reaching for the bag of corn.

Three
    FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT
    â€œDrama Geckos are in the spotlight!
    â€œDrama Geckos will go far!”
    Sydney was calling out a cheer for the Drama Club. We were all standing in front of the bus, waiting to board. It wasn’t even a yellow school bus! It was one of those big travel buses with the dark tinted windows!
    And it would take us to New! York! City! I was so cheery, I was even enjoying Sydney’s cheer.
    â€œDrama Geckos are in the spotlight!
    â€œDrama Geckos are superstars!”
    â€œOkay, now here are the motions we can do withit,” Sydney said. “Split, jump, high V, turn, and finish off with a back handspring!”
    Sydney flung herself backward and flipped over.
    Uh, I think I’ll stick to the yelling and clapping part. This would be an excellent time to start boarding the bus.
    â€œCome on, guys,” Sydney said. “Do the motions.”
    â€œAre you supposed to do that?” Tess asked her. “Be careful of your ankle.”
    â€œDoctor says I’m healed,” Sydney said. “So come on.”
    Tess copied Sydney’s jump and arm move thing and threw a back handspring. I stood there.
    â€œPayton, where’s your Drama Gecko spirit?” Sydney yelled loudly. “Jump, high V, and back handspring!”
    â€œSydney, you know we can’t all throw back handsprings,” I told her. “I can barely do a round-off.”
    â€œOhhh,” Sydney said, with a mock sad look. “That’s really sad.”
    She threw another back handspring and cheered loudly.
    â€œ Go Drama Geckos! ”
    Bleh.
    â€œ Go Gecko mathletes! ” someone yelled back.
    A crowd of mathletes were standing in a clump at the other end of the bus.
    â€œYeah! Gecko mathletes rule!” someone yelled. Oh, great. That was my sister, leading a new cheer.
    â€œTrapezoid, octagon, dodecahedron!
    â€œBring your A-brains ’cause the competition is on !”
    Emma’s fist pumped above the crowd. Agh.
    â€œGood thing your sister didn’t try out for cheerleading