Chapter One
"Arthur! Arthur!" I turn around to see Muffy running towards me with a cherry blossom pink envelope gripped tightly in her hand.
She reaches me and thrusts the envelope at me, willing for me to take it, so I do.
"Open it!" I hear a voice yell from the front doors of Lakewood Elementary. It's Francine. And once again, I do exactly what I am told.
A card dressed with stickers of all things summer-a beachball, a smiling sun, waves, flip-flops, starfish-it all makes me jump in excitement.
I am happy that school is finally over after a tiring year of many assignments and tests-too many.
ooo
There is nothing else on the front of the card except for stickers, so I wonder if Muffy's having another pool party, or maybe we're going to plant more trees, like at her spring party.
But all I can do is hastily open the card to see more stickers-but this time letters.
My eyes grow wide as I read the card, skimming it, but enough to realize what she was inviting me to.
"AN ISLAND!" I ask, disbelievingly, "FOR TWO WEEKS!"
Muffy nods. Francine smiles from the spot on the steps. I shake my head.
"No." I gulp. "No. My parents would never let me. I'm only eight-I can't even go to the mall for an hour with friends!" I protest and explain.
Muffy shrugs. "Then I guess your parents will have to come too, then." And then, with a wave, she says, "Remember to RSVP before tomorrow!"
I don't think she can hear me, since she's already in her limo, but I say it anyways. "But you just gave me the invitation today!"
ooo
Screeeech. Screeeech. My fork moves across my plate slowly, but still making a huge impact. I know this because D.W makes a sound, indicating that she's mad.
"Will you tell Arthur to stop doing that? It's hurting my ears." She states, tapping on mom's arm.
Mom glares at me without answering D.W. "Arthur, is something upsetting you?"
Screech. I fiddle with the messily folded card in my jean pocket.
Everyone stares as I sigh and struggle to get the card out of my pocket.
"Arthur has a love note, Arthur has a love note!" D.W chimes childishly.
"I DO NOT!" I lean into the table and open the card for her to see. Then I remember that she can't read.
"Oooo. Preeeetty," she completely forgets about the "love note" idea and stares in awe at the card. "Mommy, can we go to the beach?" she asks, practically pleading.
Mom doesn't answer. Since she's sitting beside D.W, she has an almost-perfect view of the card. I bonk myself on the head.
ooo
I am so careless. I need to learn to look before I leap-if that's the saying everybody uses.
"Huh? What are Muffy's-" Mom is confused as ever, and I know what she's gonna say so I cut her off.
"I know, I know. That's what I asked her." I explain glumly, staring into my lap, fiddling with my napkin.
Mom looks at me. "Arthur, you know you can't," she says in a voice as if she's blaming me.
"I wasn't expecting to..." I say, looking down, because I really wasn't expecting to, just I wish I could.
I can imagine the island right now-soft, gentle waves washing over the rocks, palm trees, and a big mansion we would be staying in.
We would have even better times than when me and Buster went to the beach.
But it's too bad since I can only dream about it, so I try to forget about it.
The only problem is, I can't. I mean, this is different than when I can't go play with a friend-it's a once-in-a-life-time opportunity.
