The Upside-Down Day (6 page)

“Well, he should have . . . because
he
was Joseph!” Ellen laughed. “I told you Dunkum is forgetful!”

Abby and Stacy laughed. Dunkum didn't seem to mind. He leaped up and pretended to shoot a basket.

Jason wasn't laughing. He was staring at Leslie. He was frowning hard.

Just then, two fire trucks roared up.

“They're too late,” said Dunkum. “Look!”

Coming out the back door, the principal carried a fire extinguisher. She held it high over her head.

The kids' cheering echoed around the playground.

Soon the “all clear” bell sounded. The kids filed inside.

Outside the classroom door, Jason pulled Abby aside. “You've got to help me,” he whispered.

Jason's face was as white as a sheet!

TEN

“What's wrong with you, Jason?” Abby asked.

“Leslie's mad at me. That's what.” Jason stopped. “And I've been mean to her. And . . .”

Abby looked at her watch. “And there's only fifteen minutes left of school today. What can you do to patch things up?” she asked.

“Think of something, will you?” Jason pleaded.

“I'll try.” Abby couldn't think of much.

The kids took their seats, and Leslie whispered something to Miss Hershey.

Miss Hershey looked surprised. Then she put her hands on Leslie's shoulders. “Class, I am happy to introduce my niece to you. Her name is Leslie
Hershey
. She tells me you are all very good detectives.”

The kids cheered. “Yahoo!”

Jason put his head down.

“What clues helped you most?” their teacher asked.

Abby raised her hand. “When you grabbed Leslie's hand during the fire alarm. That's something an aunt would probably do.”

Stacy shot her hand up. “Leslie didn't come out for recess. If my aunt was the teacher, I might stay in and help her, too.”

“Yeah, and she moved her desk next to yours,” added Eric.

“But she doesn't look like you, Miss Hershey,” said Dunkum. “That was real tricky!”

Miss Hershey smiled. “Leslie has been out of school for teacher work days. I wanted her to visit my class. But it was Leslie's idea to keep her identity a secret.
Was it good practice for solving mysteries?”

“Yes!” cried the class. Everyone clapped. Except Jason.

“Can we solve another mystery sometime?” Abby asked. She
loved
mysteries.

“That's a good idea. But now it's time to announce this week's Special Person.”

Miss Hershey took a large candy bar from her desk drawer. The Special Person would be eating it soon! “Jason Birchall, you're the Special Person this week.”

Jason sat up tall at his desk. “Thanks, Miss Hershey.” He took the candy bar and popped it into his shirt pocket.

Miss Hershey reminded him to bring baby pictures and family pictures. And a list of his favorite things: books, games, and people. For the bulletin board.

Jason's favorite thing to do was
not
a secret. He liked to pig out on food. Mostly junk food.

Suddenly, Abby knew how to help Jason settle things with Leslie. But did
she have time to tell him before the bell rang?

Quickly, she printed a note. Jason must
not
eat the candy bar in his pocket!

Jason scrunched his face into a frown when he read the note. He stared at Abby. “Why not?” he mouthed.

“Trust me,” she mouthed back.

Rrrinng!
The final bell.

Miss Hershey made an announcement. “Leslie will return to her own school tomorrow,” she said. “Maybe she can come back for another visit sometime.”

The kids called good-bye to Leslie.

Abby rushed to Jason's desk. “Hurry or you'll be too late.” She glanced at Leslie. She was cleaning out her desk.

“What should I do?” Jason whined.

Abby tapped on the candy bar through his shirt pocket. The apple seeds were still in there, too. “Here's your answer,” she said. “If you want to win her over, give her your candy bar.”

Jason sighed. “How do you know it'll work?”

“Remember the Golden Rule? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Leslie
loves
sweets.”

“That makes two of us.” Slowly, he pulled the candy bar out of its hiding place. He held it in his hand. “I shouldn't eat this,” he said sadly. “It cancels out the good stuff I had for lunch.”

He held the candy bar to his nose. He breathed deeply. “Smells great,” he said with glazed eyes. Then he saw the teacher's niece packing her things.

“Better decide now,” Abby said. “She's on her way home.”

Leslie and Miss Hershey walked out the door and into the hallway.

“Leslie, wait!” Jason called.

Leslie stopped. She looked surprised. Turning to her aunt, she said, “Go ahead. I'll catch up in a second.”

Abby watched from the door. She heard Jason say he was sorry about chasing Leslie. Then he offered her the candy bar.

Abby held her breath.
Please be nice, Leslie
.

Leslie raised her eyebrows. She looked embarrassed. “Thanks,” Leslie said quietly. “You're A-OK!”

Jason took a deep breath. “You're OK, too.” He paused.

Now what?
thought Abby.

“Uh, you can call me a show-off if you want to.”

“So . . . we're friends?” Leslie said, smiling.

“Friends,” he said.

Then Leslie unwrapped the candy bar and gave him half. “Show-off isn't the best name for you,” Leslie said. She pulled on her pigtails. “Sharing is much better.”

Jason turned bright red.

Abby wished she had a camera. This was a perfect picture for the Special Person bulletin board. She hurried off to tell Stacy.

“Hey, Abby, wait up!” Jason called to her.

Abby laughed. She pretended to take his picture.

“Don't be silly.” Jason held out his half
of the candy bar. “Want a bite?”

Abby reached for it.

“Happy School Spirit Day!” he shouted, taking it back. In one bite it was gone.

Abby wasn't finished with Jason. She had a great idea. “Race you home.”

“I'm too tired,” Jason said, munching.

“I have a feeling my mom made brownies,” she said, starting to run.

Jason's eyes grew wide. He rubbed his stomach. He took off after Abby.

Abby raced across the playground to Blossom Hill Lane.

The Cul-de-sac Kids cheered as Jason ran all the way to Abby's porch. He collapsed on the steps. “OK, now let's have those brownies!”

“Just kidding,” Abby shouted. “Happy School Spirit Day!”

Jason burst into laughter.

Abby wished School Spirit Day were closer than a whole year away.

The Cul-de-Sac Kids Series
Don't Miss #24!

THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY

Dunkum's end-of-school party turns into a huge mystery. His cousin's guide dog, Honey, is suddenly missing after the celebration. At midnight!

Feeling responsible, Dunkum gets some help from the Cul-de-sac Kids. Abby Hunter and the others play detective along with Dunkum. But it's not all fun and games.

Who'd want to steal Ellen's beloved dog in the first place? What will happen if Dunkum doesn't unravel the mystery? It's the dognapping adventure of the year!

About the Author

Beverly Lewis first got the idea for this story from her schoolteacher sister. Barbara Birch played a trick on her fourth grade class. Beverly wanted to write about the real-life trick. So she wrote
The Upside-Down Day
to share the fun—the mystery, too—with her many chapter book readers.

“Did
you
guess Leslie's secret along with Abby Hunter?” asks Beverly.

Even if you don't have a mystery student in your class, you could have a school spirit day this year.

The Cul-de-sac Kids series offers adventure, mystery, and fun. Be sure to collect each book!

Learn more about Beverly and her books at
www.BeverlyLewis.com

Also by Beverly Lewis

Amish Prayers
The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

GIRLS ONLY (GO!)†
Youth Fiction

Girls Only! Volume One
   •   
Girls Only! Volume Two

S
UMMERHILL
S
ECRETS
‡
Youth Fiction
SummerHill Secrets: Volume One
   •   
SummerHill Secrets: Volume Two

H
OLLY'S
H
EART
Youth Fiction
Holly's Heart: Collection One
‡   •   
Holly's Heart: Collection Two
‡
Holly's Heart: Collection Three
†

S
EASONS OF
G
RACE
Adult Fiction
The Secret
   •   
The Missing
   •   
The Telling

A
BRAM'S
D
AUGHTERS
Adult Fiction
The Covenant
   •   
The Betrayal
   •   
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
   •   
The Revelation

A
NNIE'S
P
EOPLE
Adult Fiction
The Preacher's Daughter
   •   
The Englisher
   •   
The Brethren

T
HE
R
OSE
T
RILOGY
Adult Fiction
The Thorn
   •   
The Judgment

C
OURTSHIP OF
N
ELLIE
F
ISHER
Adult Fiction
The Parting
   •   
The Forbidden
   •   
The Longing

T
HE
H
ERITAGE OF
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY
Adult Fiction
The Shunning
   •   
The Confession
   •   
The Reckoning

O
THER
A
DULT
F
ICTION
The Postcard
   •   
The Crossroad
   •   
The Redemption of Sarah Cain October Song
   •   
Sanctuary
(with David Lewis)   •   
The Sunroom

www.BeverlyLewis.com

†4 books in each volume       ‡5 books in each volume

Beverly Lewis Books for Young Readers

P
ICTURE
B
OOKS
Annika's Secret Wish
•
In Jesse's Shoes
Just Like Mama
•
What Is God Like?
What Is Heaven Like?

T
HE
C
UL-DE-SAC
K
IDS
The Double Dabble Surprise
The Chicken Pox Panic
The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery
No Grown-ups Allowed
Frog Power
The Mystery of Case D. Luc
The Stinky Sneakers Mystery
Pickle Pizza
Mailbox Mania
The Mudhole Mystery
Fiddlesticks
The Crabby Cat Caper
Tarantula Toes
Green Gravy
Backyard Bandit Mystery
Tree House Trouble
The Creepy Sleep-Over
The Great TV Turn-Off
Piggy Party
The Granny Game
Mystery Mutt
Big Bad Beans
The Upside-Down Day
The Midnight Mystery

Katie and Jake and the Haircut Mistake

www.BeverlyLewis.com