CHAPTER 19: So Long, Washington!

We were on cloud nine all the way back to the hotel, and couldn't believe all the awards we'd won. We were also pleased that all our hard work had paid off.

"Wow, can you belive all the awards we got?" Claire cried. "Especially for our costumes! I couldn't believe it!"

"I know!" Rosie agreed. "I can't believe it, either!"

We all yakked about the competition and our awards all the way back to the hotel. Well, most of us did. I felt my headache coming back, so I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.

"Are you all right, Karen?" Hannie asked. "What's wrong?"

"I've just got a headache," I told her, opening my eyes.

"Sorry to hear that," Nancy said, patting my hand. "I hope you feel better soon."

Just then, I heard Mom's voice behind me whispering, "Here, Karen." I turned around and saw that she had some Children's Tylenol in her hand. After taking the pills, I glanced across the ailse and saw that Andrew and Jenny had fallen asleep with their heads on each other's shoulders. Andrew's award was in his lap, and they were holding hands.

"Hey, you guys, look," I whispered.

"Aww, how cute!" Nancy exclaimed.

"I wish I had my camera," Hannie said.

I nodded. "I agree, but that's probably not a good idea."

I didn't want to embarrass them. Still, I thought they looked cute.

The next morning, we got up at 6:30, and checked out of the hotel about 8:00. Before we did, we made sure the beds were made, the rooms were picked up, and that we had everything.

As soon as we turned in our room keys and the chaperones paid the room bills—thankfully, none of them came to $967—we loaded our suitcases into the luggage compartment on the bus and got on. I saw Jason sitting all the way in the back. He looked so much better.

"Hi, Jason," I said. "Can I sit with you?"

He smiled and patted the seat next to him. I sat down and laid my head on his shoulder, because I was feeling sick again. The next thing I felt was a hand on my forehead. I looked up, and saw Nancy.

"Are you all right, Karen?" she asked.

"I've just got a headache," I told her.

"Oy," she said. "Well, I'll go sit with Mom, if you need me."

A few minutes later, I felt another hand on my forehead and heard Mom's voice saying, "Would you like to sit with me, honey?"

"No, thanks," I mumbled.

"I'll take care of her, Mrs. Engle," Jason offered.

"Thank you, Jason," Mom said. "Oh, before I forget..."

She reached into her purse, pulled out her own first-aid pouch, and handed it to him. "Just in case," she explained, then returned to her seat before Jason could thank her.

Since I was sitting with Jason, Nancy and her mom sat in front of us, and Diann sat in front of them. Mom, Seth, and Andrew sat across the aisle from us, but directly in front of the restrooms.

After Mr. Drubek, Jessi, and Kristy each did a quick head-count, we were off.

As soon as we'd pulled out onto the highway, Mr. Drubek put in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, which has been one of my favorite movies sincce I was six. He also handed each of us a bag of trail mix, which was supposed to tide us over until we could get a regular meal in Stoneybrook. Since I was feeling sick again, I didn't eat much of mine.

"Are you all right, Karen?" Jason asked, laying a hand on my forehead. "You feel a little warm." He managed to open Mom's first-aid pouch, then just as his mother had done, pulled out the little thermometer strip and laid it across my forehead. "100.2," he read about thirty seconds later.

At that moment, Diann happened to be passing by. She also laid a hand on my forehead, then disappeared into the bathroom and returned a few minutes later with a wet washcloth. "Here, Jason," she said, handing it to him. "See if this will help."

Jason pressed the cloth against my forehead. It felt wonderful enough to put me to sleep. In fact, the last thing I heard was Charlie Bucket saying "Whee!" in the Fizzy-Lifting Drinks scene. I'm just glad Midgie wasn't there, because the last time we'd watched that movie at Mom's, that poor little dog was rolling around on the floor and howling up a storm.

As I drifted off to sleep, I was hoping I'd feel better soon.