Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York (8 page)

“I'm sorry that you don't get to go on the
Fashion Fran
show,” I said in more of an outside voice than an inside voice.

People in line started to look at me, but I kept using my outside voice. “I tried to work it out!” I said to Mary Ann loudly. “But I couldn't. We are in New York, and you are ruining the trip by not talking to me!”

Then Mary Ann said, “I might not be talking to you, but you are yelling at me!”

That's when we started yelling at each other. I don't even remember what we were yelling. I just remember that our moms grabbed us by the arms and marched us out of Johnny's Pizza.

They said lots of stuff about how we were in New York and there are a lot of enjoyable sights to see, but a sight they did not want to see was the sight of the two of us not getting along. Then we all got into a taxi and went back to our hotel.

Mary Ann and I didn't get to eat the pizza that looked and smelled delicious. And to make matters worse, our moms made us say “I'm sorry” to each other for fighting. Then they said that until we could speak nicely to each other, we should go back to not speaking at all.

Unfortunately, the Quiet Game is not a fun game. Especially on an empty stomach.

Last night, there was something I, Mallory McDonald, didn't get, and that thing was sleep.

When Mary Ann closed her eyes, I could not close mine. All I could think about was how upset Mary Ann was. I really wanted to figure out a way for her to go on
Fashion Fran
with me. But I could not think of a way.

I laid in bed for a long time trying to think of a way. I even pretended that I was at the wish pond and remade the wish that I made when we were in the taxi on the way into the city.

I wish I could figure out a way to get Mary Ann on the
Fashion Fran
show.

Then I tried to close my eyes and go to sleep, but it felt like my brain would not let me.

This morning, I woke up just as the sun was coming up. I don't know when it happened. But sometime between last night and this morning, I came up with an idea.

I think it might be a great idea.

At least, I hope it is. It is the only idea I could think of.

I shake Mary Ann's shoulder. “Wake up,” I whisper.

As soon as Mary Ann finishes rubbing her eyes, I start talking. Actually, I start whispering. Even though our moms look like they are still sleeping, I don't want to take any chances. I don't want Mom and Colleen to hear what I have to say.

I whisper my idea into Mary Ann's ear.

It's really more of a plan than an idea. It takes me a while to whisper my plan into Mary Ann's ear because it is a plan with a lot of parts. It is also a plan that will fail if every part doesn't go according to plan.

When I'm done whispering, Mary Ann looks at me like I just invented a way to make spinach taste good. “You're a genius!” she whispers.

I don't think I'm a genius, but hopefully my plan will work. I don't know what else will.

Mary Ann gives me a serious look. “You would really do that for me?”

I nod. “We're best friends,” I whisper. “And we made a pinky swear.”

Mary Ann grins. “You're not my best friend. You're my best, best, best friend.” Then she stops grinning. “Do you really think we can pull this off?” she asks quietly.

The truth is … I don't know if my plan will work. But I don't know what else will either. “If anyone can make it work, we can,” I say to Mary Ann. “But it won't be easy.”