Pink & Green is the New Black Read Online Free PDF Page A

“How did you get started with this project? Can you talk a little about your inspiration for this kind of work?”
    I stand up near my seat and answer. “My friend Sunny is actually the main reason.” I look over at her. I explain how she encouraged me to join Earth Club. And then I talk a little about the spa and the grant and all that. “But the cafeteria project was my baby,” I say. “There was just so much waste. I knew we could do better. I wanted to help us do better.”
    â€œThank you,” the man says, and a few people applaud. It’s weak applause, but it’s still something.
    Finally the questions end, and Clint’s dad tells us theyshould have a decision within the next few days. “We are so impressed with the work you’ve done,” he says. “This is a testament to the fabulous school district that we’re so lucky to be a part of. Under the direction of Susan Deleccio, this club can save the world.”
    He’s a little cheesy, but I like what he’s saying. Mrs. Deleccio suggests that we all go to 384 Sprinkles for dessert, and of course no one can say no to that. It may be January, but ice cream is a year-round food, if you ask me.
    Sunny and I share the Sprinkles Explosion—five scoops of ice cream and five toppings. It’s a little much, but this is a celebration, after all.
    â€œCongrats, guys,” Mrs. Deleccio says. “I’m so impressed. Now all we can do is wait. But I have a feeling the wait won’t be too long.”
    That night as I’m falling asleep, I can’t help but feel grateful. The meeting went well, Yamir remembered to wish me good luck, and we got ice cream afterward.
    To me, that’s a pretty perfect day.

Lucy’s tip for surviving eighth grade:
    Be patient.
    I wait and wait for an answer from the school board, even though I don’t even know how they’re going to get in touch. They could e-mail it, or real-mail it, or just send Mrs. Deleccio some kind of teacher memo. I have no idea.
    But Friday afternoon rolls around and there’s still no answer. I guess it takes time.
    â€œWhat are we doing this weekend?” Sunny asks me after school.
    â€œYou tell me,” I say. “You always come up with the better ideas.”
    â€œI’ll tell you what we’re doing,” Erica Crane says, plopping herself down on the bench next to me. “We’re starting the prep for Eighth-Grade Masquerade. And you, Lucy Desberg, are joining the team.”
    â€œHuh?” Sunny asks, taking the word right out of my mouth.
    â€œWe need you, Lucy.”
    â€œI’ll explain,” Zoe says, jumping into the conversation. Zoe’s new this year, and she’s been Erica’s sidekick since her first day at Old Mill. She moved from Long Island, so Erica thinks she’s fancy, and Zoe finds Erica completely hilarious.
    They’re a match made in heaven.
    â€œYou’re the makeup guru, right?” Zoe asks.
    This is the most she’s said to me all year. How does she know I’m the makeup guru?
    I shrug. “I guess.”
    â€œCome on, Lucy. Of course you are.” Sunny rolls her eyes.
    â€œAnyway, so Erica and I are on the planning committee for student council, and we would like to bring you on as our makeup consultant,” Zoe says. “Sunny, you can come on too. Maybe help with publicity?”
    I look at Erica and Zoe, and then at Sunny. Erica and Zoe never talk to us, but now they seem to have a whole plan laid out. It feels like they’re recruiting us for some secret mission.
    â€œSounds good to me,” Sunny says. “We need another extracurricular, Lucy.”
    â€œWe do?” I ask. Is this really my best friend Sunny talking?
    â€œSure. Why not? And the school board proposal is pretty much over. What else are we going to do?”
    I nod. I guess she’s right. I hadn’t thought about that, andsuddenly I feel