A Tricky Sleepover (3 page)

“What's the matter, honey?” her mom asked. Jasmine didn't want to tell her what happened, but the whole story came tumbling out of her mouth anyway.

Jasmine's mom hugged her tight and wiped away her tears.

“It is a good thing you helped Kayla clean up. But I think you owe her an apology,” she said gently.

“Why do I owe her an apology? She was the one planning to play tricks on us,” Jasmine said. She sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

“Are you sure you heard what you think you heard?” her mom asked.

“Of course I am sure,” Jasmine said in a quivering voice.

It bothered her that her mother was questioning what the girls said. Jasmine was sure she heard them correctly. Or was she?

Chapter Six

A Change of Plans

The next morning, Jasmine saw Annie on the bus. She waved to Jasmine and moved over so she could sit down.

“Are you ready for the sleepover?” Jasmine asked.

“I guess,” Annie said quietly. She had a funny look on her face.

“What's wrong?” Jasmine asked.

“I don't know, I just think maybe we should ask Kayla about what you heard yesterday. She seems so nice and really excited to have us over,” Annie said. She clasped her hands between her knees and let out a deep breath.

Jasmine sat back in the seat and let out a big breath too. She didn't really want to go through with their plan. This was why she liked Annie so much. Annie wasn't afraid to be honest and share her feelings.

“I think you are right,” Jasmine said. “Let's just forget our plan. I have a better one. Come over before the sleepover and I will braid our hair.”

Chapter Seven

The Sleepover

Annie and Jasmine gave each other a quick hug before ringing Kayla's doorbell. Seconds later, the doorway was filled with smiling faces.

“Hi Jasmine and Annie! Come in! Come in!” The girls practically fell into the house as the girls pulled them inside.

Kayla's house was huge. She had a room with big comfy chairs and pillows and the biggest TV Jasmine had ever seen.

Kayla's mom said hello and her little brother pounded his chest and made ape noises. Everyone laughed and her mom shooed him out of the room. He stuck his tongue out at everyone on the way out.

“Boys,” Kayla said, rolling her eyes.

“Jasmine and Annie, your hair looks so
pretty!” Kayla said. She looked really happy to see them.

The girls ate pizza, told funny stories, and watched a movie. Still, Jasmine and Annie didn't quite feel comfortable. Even though everyone seemed so nice, they were nervous about the tricks they might play on them.

“Okay girls, I have got some tricks up my sleeve for you!” Kayla said, jumping up from the pile of sleeping bags they'd been lounging on. “Come on, follow me!”

Jasmine and Annie glanced at each other. Annie bit her lip and shrugged. Jasmine took a deep breath, then followed Kayla and the others into the bathroom.

“It's time to do makeovers!” Kayla said. She pulled a comb, a curling iron, and some ribbons from the cabinet.

Kayla started to braid her best friend Maya's hair.

“Ouch! Stop it, Kayla! My hair looks terrible!” Maya said. It was true. Her hair was a frizzy, floppy mess. Jasmine tried not
to giggle. She realized this was her chance.

“Hey, Maya, I know how to braid. Can I try?” Jasmine asked.

“Please do,” Maya said. “Anything has to be better than this mess!” She laughed and stuck out her tongue at Kayla. Kayla stuck her tongue out at Maya.

Jasmine brushed Maya's hair, then weaved the strands into a complicated braid. Maya gasped when she looked at it in the mirror.

“This is awesome!” she squealed.

Everyone wanted Jasmine to do their hair. Annie helped Jasmine by organizing all of the styling tools. Then they painted their nails and tried on Kayla's mom's shoes. They played music and put on a fashion show.

When Kayla went into the kitchen to get drinks and snacks, Jasmine followed her. Her heart was pounding.

“I have a present for you,” she said. Her voice sounded wobbly. She handed Kayla a bag.

Annie walked into the kitchen as Kayla
took the bag. She looked puzzled.

“No Jasmine! Don't do it!” Annie said.

“It's okay, Annie. I think you will like this better than our first plan,” Jasmine said. She smiled at both of them.

Kayla opened the bag and pulled out the new skirt from Jasmine's mom.

“Oh wow! A new skirt! Thank you so much! But why did you get me a present? It's not my birthday!”

“I knew the boys put the paint on your chair before you sat down,” Jasmine said. She looked down at the floor then back up at Kayla.

Kayla's mouth opened, then shut again. She was quiet for a second.

“Why didn't you tell me?” she said. Her eyes looked watery.

“Because I heard you say you were going to play tricks on Annie and me at your sleepover. And I heard you talking about my hair. I was so mad at you that I decided to let you see how it felt to have someone be mean to you,” Jasmine said. She twisted her braid nervously. “But I didn't realize how badly you might feel. I am really sorry Kayla,” Jasmine's voice trailed off to a whisper. Her throat felt funny. Annie squeezed her hand.

“We didn't say we were going to play tricks on you. What I meant was that we were going to teach you fun sleepover games and how to curl your hair and stuff,” Kayla said. “Why would I play tricks on you?”

Jasmine didn't know what to say. She was
so embarrassed that she misjudged Kayla. Especially since she wanted to be her friend!

“I am really sorry,” Jasmine said again. “I should have asked you about what I heard. I was really looking forward to being your friend.”

Jasmine thought Kayla might ask her to leave the sleepover. Instead, Kayla gave her a hug.

“I guess I can understand how you might have misunderstood. Next time, ask me!” Kayla said. “Now let's watch the rest of the movie!”

“You forgive me?” Jasmine said.

“Of course I do!” Kayla said. “Isn't that what friends are for?”

She grabbed Kayla and Annie's hands and jumped up and down. The girls' laughter brought the rest of the party to the kitchen.

“Everyone, I have a confession to make,” Kayla said. Her face became very serious. Jasmine and the rest of the girls looked at her and waited.

Kayla reached into a cabinet and pulled out a tattered pink doll.

“This is MooMoo. I've had her since I was a baby. And I can't sleep without her,” Kayla held her head up high and waited. No one said anything for a few seconds.

“Why do you keep her in the kitchen cabinet?” Maya giggled.

“Because I was hiding her for the party, silly,” Kayla said.

Jasmine and Annie slipped out of the kitchen and came back with their own dolls. They held them up so the girls could see them.

Then the rest of the girls went and got the dolls they'd brought along. They sat at the table and talked about terrible nights when they'd tried to sleep without them. Jasmine knew she would be just fine when she climbed into her sleeping bag later, surrounded by friends.

“This is the best sleepover ever!” Jasmine said.