Rachel's Valentine Crush Read Online Free PDF

face. “Thanks for trying to make me feel better,” she said. “But if Brody likes Tammy, I’d rather face it now. There’s no point in getting my hopes up for nothing. That will only make it worse when . . .”
    Rachel’s voice trailed off. She didn’t even want to say it. But she could tell that Taylor knew what she was thinking: when Brody tells everybody that Tammy is his secret crush.

    Rachel tried to act normally for the rest of the school day, but it wasn’t easy. More than anything, she wanted to hole up in her room, alone, where she could feel as sad as she wanted without worrying about what everyone else would think. While she was stuck in school, Rachel wanted to forget about “Secret Crush”—and Brody Warner—as much as she could. But it soon became clear that would be impossible. Almost every girl in seventh and eighth grade suddenly had a story about the time she and Brody had laughed together about something. By lunchtimemost kids agreed that the LOL line was the clue.
    But Rachel still wasn’t entirely convinced. When she listened to that line again, it didn’t really sound like “share L-O-L times.” Even so, Rachel kept peeking over at Tammy during lunch—the way she tossed back her long copper-colored hair, the way she smiled at everyone like they were her new best friend. It was hard to think of a reason why Brody wouldn’t have a crush on her.
    Finally the school day ended, and Taylor and Rachel walked home together. Rachel was grateful that Taylor carried on most of the conversation herself. Rachel had been faking a good mood for so long that she was practically out of energy. When she got home, Robbie was waiting for her inside the front door.
    â€œRachel’s home! Rachel’s home! Rachel! Rachel!” he cried happily. He drove a dump truck into her foot. “Play trucks with me!”
    Rachel reached down to tousle his hair and move the truck out of her way. “Maybe in a little while, Robbie,” she said. “I have to get started on my homework.”
    â€œIs it truck homework?” Robbie asked hopefully.
    â€œNo, it’s algebra,” Rachel replied, smiling in spite of her lousy day. “A special kind of math. You know,numbers. But I can definitely play trucks with you before dinner.”
    Satisfied, Robbie drove his truck down the hall, and Rachel went straight to her room. Usually she would go to the kitchen for a snack and a chat with Grandma Nellie, but right now Rachel wanted to be alone—for a few minutes, at least.
    But Rachel had hardly flopped down on her bed before there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called in a weary voice.
    Grandma Nellie poked her head into the room. “No snack?” she started to say. Then she caught a glimpse of Rachel’s face. “What’s wrong, sweet pea?”
    Rachel shrugged. “I’ve just had a long day,” she replied. It was technically the truth—she had been awake since five a.m.
    â€œI see,” Grandma Nellie said. She was quiet for a long moment, and Rachel got the feeling that Grandma Nellie was trying to figure out a way to make her feel better, even though she didn’t know exactly what was wrong. Finally she snapped her fingers like an idea had just occurred to her. “Well, come here for just a minute. There’s something I want to show you.”
    Rachel followed Grandma Nellie down the hall to the oak cabinet that stood outside her bedroom. Grandma Nellie flung open the doors to reveal stacks of neatly organized art supplies. “I spent all morning sorting through my scrapbooking stuff,” Grandma Nellie said proudly.
    Rachel gazed at the pile of smooth multicolored cardstock, a box of rubber stamps and ink pads, jars of sparkly glitter arranged in a pyramid, and sheets of shiny foil that reflected her face in rainbow colors. “Looks good, Grandma