Too Many Blooms Read Online Free PDF Page B

a rule about that. But are your school colors yellow and purple? Didn’t think so.
    Mr. Rolando, my gym teacher, stood in front of us taking attendance. I was idly wondering which state Gran and Gramps were in by then. It was a long trip, and I hoped they wouldn’t try to drive too far on their first day. I was startled back to reality when Mr. Rolando blew his whistle. I looked up. And there stood Señor Guapo, the cute boy from that morning.
    Are you kidding me?
I thought. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Ashley leaning forward with interest. For some reason, this totally irked me.
    “Class, please welcome our new student, HamiltonBaldwin,” said Mr. Rolando. Everyone mumbled a halfhearted hello.
    That was why I hadn’t recognized him. New kid. I stared at the boy formerly known as Guapo. Despite my mortification, my next thought was:
He looks good in yellow and purple.
And let me tell you, that is not an easy feat.
    Mr. Rolando consulted his attendance sheet. “And since … Rodney Franklin is out today, you can partner up with Delphinium Bloom,” he told Hamilton in his booming gym teacher voice. “Del, will you raise your hand?”
    My heart immediately started pounding like crazy.
Why me?
I thought. I waved my hand weakly at my new dance partner. Maybe he wouldn’t recognize me in my uniform. It was my only hope.
    Hamilton grinned as he walked over. He flopped to the ground beside me. “Dental Hygiene Girl!” he said. “What’s up?”
    I smiled despite myself. And my face, once again, turned hot.
    “I didn’t mean to startle you this morning,” he said. “By the lockers,” he added.
    As if he had to explain!
    “No problem,” I said, studying his black Converse Hi-Tops. They were as long as surfboards, I swear. “So you’re new?” I added lamely.
    “Yeah, we just moved here. My mom, stepdad, and me.” He frowned for a moment. “Hey, if I say something, do you promise not to get offended?”
    I narrowed my eyes at him. “It depends,” I said warily.
    “I’ve gone to a couple of different schools in my life,” he said, “and I can honestly tell you that I have never seen a gym uniform as ugly as this one. We all look like Easter eggs!”
    I couldn’t help myself. I snorted. Loudly. “You’re right!”
    Ashley, who was sitting directly across from me in the next row, leaned over. “Very ladylike, Del,” she said, giving Hamilton a big smile.
    To my delight, Hamilton ignored her. He leaned closer to me. “Who’s that?” he whispered. “The captain of the manners police?”
    I laughed like it was the funniest thing I had ever heard. Ashley gave me a dirty look.
    As I searched for something witty, or at least not lame, to say to Hamilton, Mr. Rolando blew his whistle again, signaling the beginning of class. We were learning a new dancetoday. Mr. Rolando put his hands on his hips and began to demonstrate the steps. I had to give him credit, for a muscle-bound gym teacher, he was certainly light on his feet.
    Then it was our turn. “Ladies to the gents’ right,” Mr. Rolando instructed.
    “Yee-hah,” I said weakly, and Hamilton chuckled.
    As we formed our square, Hamilton said, “I have to warn you, I am totally uncoordinated when it comes to dancing.”
    “You couldn’t be any worse than my regular partner,” I said as the music started.
    But I was wrong. Very wrong.
    Hamilton was the most terrible square dancer ever. But he laughed every time he stepped on my feet. And so did I. When he accidentally bumped into me and I went flying into Ashley and Bob, and she said loudly, “As smooth as ever, Delphinium,” I didn’t even care. Very strange.
    And the weirdest part of all? This time it was
my
hands that were sweaty.

Chapter Four
    On the walk home, I finally thought of the perfect Ashley comeback. Just after she’d said, “So do you think you can handle it, Delphinium?” I should have held up my palm to her, smirked (a very important detail), and said, totally