Baby-Sitters Club belong to Ann M. Martin
I was in my room reading on a Sunday afternoon when I saw a moving truck three houses down from me. When I looked closer, I saw the family I met in New York City while I was there last month. The Willis family. Their oldest daughters, Kayla and Kaylee, and I hit it off. Nice, we'll be neighbors.
I'm Mary Anne Spier. I'm an eighth grader at Stoneybrook Middle School. I'm 13.
I went down on the porch. That was when they saw me.
"Hi, Mary Anne!" exclaimed Kayla and Kaylee.
"Hi," I said waving to them.
They ran over to me and we did a group hug.
"Isn't this great to be neighbors?" I asked. "I live in the farmhouse."
"We saw that. Cool house," said Kayla.
"Very neat, indeed," said Kaylee.
"We can't wait to see Stacey," said Kayla.
"She'll be glad to see you," I said.
"I know," said Kaylee.
We talked for a long time until they had to go finish unpacking. We had already exchanged our cell phone numbers last month. We text often.
Later, Dad said, "Our new neighbors are coming over for dinner, so we're just having pizza. It will be here soon."
"Sweet," I said.
"What new neighbors?" asked Dawn.
"Don't you remember the Willis family? Stacey introduced us to Kayla and Kaylee while we were visiting New York City," I said.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot they were moving here," said Dawn. "But I have to go help Mallory watch her siblings. In fact, I have to leave now."
Dawn left. Five minutes later, the doorbell rang.
"It must be them," I said as I went to open the door.
"Hi," said Kayla.
"Hi, come on in," I said.
The whole family came in.
"Dad said we're having pizza tonight," I said.
"Sounds good," said Kaylee.
Pizza came ten minutes later. The girls and I get to have a picnic in the living room.
"Stacey knew we were moving here, but she doesn't know we're here," said Kayla.
"Yeah, we choose to surprise her," said Kaylee.
"Good idea," I agreed.
"We'll be attending your school," said Kaylee.
"Oh, good. We can give you a tour around here," I said.
"Okay," said the girls.
"I trust Kristy, she's good with secrets," I said.
"Telling a best friend is fine," said Kaylee.
After dinner, I showed them to my room. They liked it. We hung around until they left for home.
Then, I texted Kristy and she promised not to tell Stacey about her surprise. We agreed to talk when we're alone.
The next day, I was in school when announcement came on asking for me to the office. I went to the office and Mrs. Willis was there.
"Hi, Mrs. Willis," I said.
"Hi," said Mrs. Willis.
"The girls are starting here tomorrow and you'll be taking them to your homeroom while the other will be in Stacey's," said the principal.
"Okay, cool," I said.
"I won't know which one yet," said the principal.
"I don't mind either one," I said.
"Wonderful, I'll see you here first thing in the morning," said the principal.
"Okay. I'll come after going my locket," I said.
"That's fine," said the principal.
"Stacey doesn't know they're here yet," I said.
"That's why I only requested you," said Mrs. Willis.
"You may go back to class now," said the principal.
"See you then," I said as I left for class.
At lunch, Stacey said, "What was that all about?"
"I'm not telling you," I said. "It's a secret."
I didn't want to betray the girls' trust.
"Tell me," said Stacey.
"Nope, you don't make anyone to spill secrets. Friends are supposed to keep secrets," I said.
After school, Kristy and I walked out.
"It's good you don't budge," said Kristy.
"You would do the same if Stacey asked you," I said.
"Exactly," said Kristy.
"It's better than betraying the girls," I said.
"They would get mad at Stacey, not you," said Kristy.
"True," I agreed.
At home, I was doing homework.
"Why won't you tell Stacey?" asked Dawn.
"I promised not to say anything," I replied.
Kayla texted me to go next door to help baby-sitting her six younger siblings. Their parents were at their new jobs. I took my homework with me to do it. It was a nice house. We were in the living room.
"Kaylee's sick in bed," said Kayla. "She's been sick since last night."
"Good thing school is not tomorrow," I said.
"I know," said Kayla.
"Stacey was trying to get me to tell her, but I said no," I said.
"Good. It wouldn't be a surprise," said Kayla.
"Dawn just asked me why I won't tell Stacey. All I replied was I promised not to say anything. I didn't mention you girls because she'll tell Stacey," I said.
"Good move," said Kayla.
I heard the boys arguing.
"Who are fighting?" I asked
"It's D.J. and Mario," said Kayla.
"Excuse me," I said. "I can go handle that."
I went to the boys.
"Guys, Kaylee is trying to sleep and I'm trying to do my homework," I said. "Keep it down now."
They obeyed me. I came back out.
"There. That should do it," I said.
"Good. Thank you," said Kayla. "They drive us nuts."
"How can Kaylee sleep through that?" I asked.
"God knows," said Kayla.
"Are they always like that?" I asked.
"Sometimes," replied Kayla.
After I finished my homework, we hung out in the living room.
"If you or Kaylee need me, I will be here since we are neighbors," I said.
"That makes sense," said Kayla.
"Especially for D.J. and Mario when I'm free," I said. "I can be your extra sitter."
"Deal," said Kayla. "Kaylee would love that idea, too."
"Kristy is good at stopping fights, so she can handle that in case I'm unavailable," I said.
"Sounds good," said Kayla.
"When Kaylee is better, my friends and I can show you both around here," I said.
"Okay," said Kayla. "Better than being left out while being sick."
"Exactly," I agreed.
Her mom came home an hour later.
"Kaylee's still sleeping," said Kayla.
"D.J. and Mario were fighting, so I told them to quit it while she's sleeping," I said.
"Thank you," said Mrs. Willis.
She paid me for helping Kayla. I thanked them before grabbing my homework and went back home. At home. I put it in my backpack.