Plastic Polly Read Online Free PDF

problem: What is the shortest distance between point A and point B? With point A being me and point B being Harvard. And the only obstacle standing between Mom’s alma mater and her perfect AB line to academic excellence is, well, me . That’s why I never told her about the invitation I got last year to test for the Star Student program—or the one I received this year either. I knew if she found out, I could kiss any fun I might want to have in middle school good-bye.
    â€œPolly, do you have any idea how many kids would kill for an opportunity like this?”
    â€œI’m guessing somewhere in the range of zero?”
    â€œA little hard work wouldn’t hurt, is all I’m saying. Next year you’ll be starting high school, and then you’ll have to get serious.”
    â€œFine, I will.” And then just to annoy her I add, “But in the meantime I’m going to be as unserious as possible. Besides, Kelsey says she wants me to help her train for the high school soccer team over the summer.”
    â€œKelsey says, huh?” Mom frowns. I don’t know what her deal is. Lately it seems like she doesn’t like Kelsey as much as she used to.
    Mom begins to say something else, but she stops when the office door opens and Principal Allen greets us. I expect to hear the stern voice she uses with her students, but instead Principal Allen squeals, “Laura! So good to see you!” and hugs Mom.
    â€œTrudy!” Mom exclaims, all traces of her irritation gone. “It’s been ages. How are you? I’ll bet when we were cheering for the Winston Wildcats, we didn’t think we’d end up here!”
    Mom and “Trudy” chatter about the good old days as we walk into the office and settle into chairs around Principal Allen’s desk. I can’t help feeling a little weird that Mom and Principal Allen know each other. I mean, yeah, I vaguely remember Mom telling me they went to schooltogether, but it’s hard to imagine Mom and Principal Allen as middle school cheerleaders.
    Next to Principal Allen’s desk is a display case holding several trophies. My stomach clenches when I see the three golden microphones—representing Winston’s Groove It Up wins over the last three years. A fourth win this year would set a new record. The trophies occupy their own row, but they’re not centered. At the end is a large space, like Principal Allen has already reserved the spot for our fourth win.
    â€œThank you for coming in today,” Principal Allen says. “With Kelsey out that means that, as the Vice PlanMaster, Polly is next in line to coordinate Groove It Up. There’s much to accomplish in the next few weeks.”
    Principal Allen looks at me like I’m supposed to speak, to express my gratitude or maybe tell her all about the plans I have for Groove It Up.
    â€œI visited Kelsey in the hospital,” I blurt out instead.
    Principal Allen nods and waves her hand slightly. “Yes, I’ve spoken with the Taylors as well, but Kelsey won’t be coming back to school until after Groove It Up, and, as they say, the show must go on. The question is, what to do now? There was a school board meeting last night, and questions have arisen regarding Groove It Up and what’s best for the school.”
    â€œI see,” Mom says. I can feel something shift in the atmosphere then, but I can’t figure out what.
    â€œYes,” Principal Allen continues, “and we just need a little bit of clarity about what Polly wants to do—if she wishes to continue on as the PlanMaster, or if she wishes to resign.” Principal Allen looks at me. “Polly, what are your thoughts?”
    My thoughts? The only thought in my head is that I wish I could get away—from Mom, who would sign me up for Harvard right now if she could. And from Principal Allen, who seems more concerned about Groove It Up than she does about Kelsey.
    I