It was July 1st. Just one month after I had refused to be Austin Moon's songwriter.
He had moved on to find another songwriter now- and her name was Emmy Haichoz.
Austin seemed really pissed after I refused the offer. But why would I be partners with a rambunctious teenager who completely stole my song, Double Take?
Apparently, he really anted to be my songwriter. After all, he bought all of those fancy gadgets in the practice room- and he paid for them out of his pocket.
He said he hated me the moment I refused. I was still cotent, however; I still had my best friend, Trish, after all! But then my dad had told me that he signed me up for a sleep-away reading camp that I would be at for the rest of the summer.
"Do you want me to leave?" I had cried. "Do you hate me and want to be left alone for some reason?" He blinked down at me. "What? No!" he protested. "I just want what's best for you, sweetie! I know you love reading!" But I had burst into tears and left the room before he could say more. Trish was my only friend left in the world, and I hated all the times I had to lave her. Ten, after awhile, I had decided that maybe the reading camp wasn't a bad idea. Maybe it was a good one. Who knew, Trish could have signed up for the exact same reading camp, though in my mind I seriously doubted it.
"Dad!" I yelled excitedly, scampering down the stairs. "Who else is going to be at the reading camp?" My dad gestured to a printout sheet on the counter. I skimmed the sheet eagerly, and then frowned when I saw more than one name I recognized.
Austin Moon.
Dez Worthy.
But absolutely no Trish Rodriguez.
"Stupid reading camp!" I cursed, tears rapidly flowing out of my eyes and onto the sheet.
So on June 1st, I walked into my reading class Head slumping, shoulders sulking. Groaning as I saw our assigned seats.
I had to sit between Austin Moon and Dez Worthy, who were currently exchanging flirty smiles with a pair of attractive, blond strangers.
"Dawson," Austin said, glaring at me as I slumped into my seat. "Get lost," I told him. "I can't," he replied jokingly. "I have a map!"
"Wow, what a witty little joke," I said sarcastically. That is just the worst joke in the world, I swear, I thought. I rolled my eyes. Suddenly, Austin grabbed a bottle of ketchup from his basket and squirted it all over my pale blue "Cloud Watchers Club" T-shirt.
Then he laughed and laughed.
Until the teacher walked in and saw what Austin had done.
"Detention," the teacher growled at Austin in one of the scariest tones I had ever heard a teacher use.
And by the look on his face, I could tell that Austin was spooked, too.