WONDER
Chapter 9
The School Play
Miranda
My dad left my mom the summer before I went to high school. I didn't see him much after that, and I didn't really want to go to summer camp. But I did go, and it wasn't fun.
After I got home, I called Ella, but I didn't call Via. Ella is an easy friend. She doesn't talk about families and problems, just music and clothes. Via is different, and I didn't want to talk about my parents and their problems. Ella liked my pink hair and my new clothes. I knew that Via didn't.
In high school, Via and I didn't talk much; we just said "Hello."
After a few weeks, I discovered that Via had a boyfriend, Justin: a cute boy with glasses. They were both doing theater, with Mr. Davenport, and I was, too. I wanted the part of Emily in ‘Our Town’, and so did Via. I was surprised that Mr. Davenport chose me and not her.
Strangely, I started to miss Via and her family. I liked her family, and I loved playing with August. One day, I called Via's house. I wanted to talk to August.
"Hi, August."
"Miranda!" His voice was happy. "I'm going to school now."
"That's great!" I was surprised. "I hope it's going well."
"It is. I have two new friends: Jack and Summer."
"That's good, August. I miss you," I said. "You know that I'll always be another big sister for you. Call me if you want to, OK? And say hello to Via from me. I miss her, too."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye!"
Mom and Dad didn't come to see the play. And there was a big school soccer game that night, so Ella and my other friends went to that. It was evening, and we were all ready to start. I watched people come into the theater, and then I saw August and his parents. I went to see Mr. Davenport.
"Mr. Davenport, I'm sorry," I said. "I can't go on tonight."
"Miranda," he said, "you're just nervous. You'll be OK."
"No, I can't go on. I'm sick."
"OK," he said, and he turned to Justin. "Justin, please find Olivia. She's going to be Emily tonight. Miranda's sick."
I went to the dressing room and took off my costume. Via came in.
"Quick," I said. "Put this on! I'm sick. I can't go on."
Via put on the costume, and she looked at me. "You're not sick, Miranda. Why are you doing this?"
Mr. Davenport shouted through the door. "Two minutes, Olivia!"
There was no time to answer.
I saw August after the play. "Good to see you," I said, and I hugged him.
Then, I saw Via and her mom and dad. "How are you?" asked her mom. "Are you sick?"
"I'm OK now, I think," I said.
"We're going to a restaurant," said her dad. "Please come with us."
Via hugged me, and we all walked out of the theater together. I was suddenly very, very happy.
