The Upside-Down Day Read online

“How should I know?” Abby said. “It’s very strange.”

  The girls watched the races. Soon, Abby’s eyes grew wide. Leslie was ahead of the boys! Abby described the entire scene to Ellen.

  “Well, that fits,” Ellen said softly. “Leslie really likes to show off.”

  Abby wished she knew everything Ellen knew about Leslie. She closed her eyes and pretended to be blind.

  She listened. The sounds seemed sharper all around her.

  She sniffed. The smells seemed stronger, too.

  Suddenly, she heard yelling. She opened her eyes. It was Jason. He was chasing Leslie across the soccer field.

  Abby blinked twice. She’d never seen him run so fast.

  What was happening?

  EIGHT

  Abby stared across the playground. This is crazy, she thought.

  Jason was running after Leslie! He was huffing and puffing. His hair was flying with every bounce.

  But Leslie was far ahead of him.

  Abby shouted, “Look at Jason go!”

  Br-r-ring! The recess bell rang.

  Jason chased Leslie around the playground and back to the school door. She raced through the door, past kids in line.

  “I’m going to get that girl,” Jason hollered, wiping his face.

  “What did she do?” Abby asked.

  “She called me a show-off again,” he bellowed. “She’s got no right.”

  Later, in the girls’ bathroom, Leslie complained about Jason. “He’s so hyper. Never sits still,” she told Stacy and Abby.

  “Oh, that’s just Jason,” Abby said.

  Leslie pulled hard on her stubby pigtails. “How can you say that? He’s disgusting!”

  “Jason’s our friend,” Stacy spoke up.

  “Yeah, and it doesn’t make any difference to us if he’s hyper.”

  Stacy stepped forward. “It’s what’s inside that counts. Think about it, Leslie Groff!” she said.

  Leslie’s mouth dropped open. “I thought you were shy.” She popped some candy in her mouth and left.

  “Way to go, Stacy!” Abby said. “I didn’t think you’d ever talk to her like that!”

  Stacy blushed. “I hope she’s not mad. I didn’t want to be mean.”

  “You were just telling the truth,” Abby said. “I don’t think you can be mean. You’re the nicest person I know!”

  Stacy’s face grew red again. “I try to live the way God wants me to.”

  “It would be nice if everybody did that,” said Abby.

  Back in the room, Stacy and Abby took their seats. Miss Hershey asked the class to write their numbers. “To 300,” she said.

  Abby gulped. We won’t get done before the end of the day, she thought. And I still haven’t figured out Leslie’s secret.

  She started writing. 1, 2, 3, 4 . . .

  Abby looked at Leslie. 23, 24, 25 . . .

  Dunkum sneezed. 48, 49, 50 . . .

  Eric dropped his pencil. 76, 77, 78 . . .

  Abby was up to 153 when Miss Hershey announced, “OK, class. Stop writing. How many of you wrote two, three, zero, zero?” She wrote the number on the board.

  Dunkum said, “We weren’t supposed to write the numbers up to 300. You wanted us to write 2 . . . 3 . . . 0 . . . 0. Two thousand three hundred.”

  Abby groaned. Miss Hershey had tricked them again!

  “You keep fooling us,” said Jason.

  “What fun,” said Leslie.

  Abby looked at the clock. Almost time to go home. She wasn’t even close to figuring out Leslie’s secret.

  Abby raised her hand. “May we play Twenty Questions until we guess Leslie’s secret? The bell’s going to ring soon.”

  Miss Hershey turned to Leslie, who hopped up to the front of the room.

  “Who’s first?” Leslie asked.

  Four hands popped up.

  Dunkum asked, “Are you an alien?”

  “Good guess,” whispered Abby.

  Leslie laughed. She shook her head. Her stubby pigtails poked out farther than ever.

  Jason was next. “Are you a twin?”

  Abby held her breath. Whew! Jason didn’t say anything about the other twin with all the hair.

  “No way,” said Leslie.

  Eric’s hand was high. “Do you sing in the shower with a British accent?”

  The kids laughed. So did Leslie.

  That wasn’t it.

  Abby’s turn. “Did Miss Hershey owe you some money?”

  Leslie looked puzzled. She turned to the teacher. “How did she know?”

  Abby waited. She felt like a detective close to cracking a case.

  Leslie nodded. “Miss Hershey owed me some money.”

  “Why?” Abby asked.

  “We made a deal. If the class guessed my secret before lunch, I owed her a dollar. But if no one guessed by then, she owed me,” Leslie explained.

  Why would the teacher make a deal like that? thought Abby.

  Abby studied the new girl.

  Leslie’s eyes danced. She was having too much fun with this secret. Maybe she didn’t want the mystery to be solved at all.

  Suddenly, Honey barked loudly. She was straining on her harness. She seemed to be pulling Ellen away from the desk.

  “What’s wrong with Honey?” Abby asked.

  Honey sniffed the air. Woof! She began to bark.

  Then Ellen shouted, “Miss Hershey, I smell smoke!”

  At that moment, the fire alarm sounded.

  NINE

  “Students, please line up quickly!” Miss Hershey said. The fire alarm kept ringing.

  Abby was nervous. She got in line behind Ellen and her dog. Dunkum held the door.

  Miss Hershey grabbed Leslie’s hand as they left the classroom. She was still holding it when the line formed away from the building.

  Abby watched closely. Why would Miss Hershey hold Leslie’s hand?

  “Is the school on fire?” yelled Jason.

  Ellen held on to Honey’s harness. “I hope not,” she said.

  “Just think, if the alarm hadn’t sounded, Honey might’ve saved our lives,” said Eric.

  “Because Honey smelled the smoke!” said Abby.

  “Wow,” said Stacy. “I’m impressed.”

  In the front of the line, Leslie stared back at them.

  But Abby smiled at her. “Leslie’s watching us,” she whispered to Ellen, who was petting her dog.

  “I definitely know her secret,” Ellen said slowly. “But first, I have a riddle for her.”

  Miss Hershey left the line to talk to another teacher.

  “Get Leslie in line with us,” Abby whispered.

  “OK,” Dunkum said. “I’ll get her.”

  Soon Leslie came running over.

  “Ellen says she knows your secret,” Abby chanted.

  Leslie put her hands on her hips. “Really?”

  Ellen coughed. “Who is the mother of Jesus?”

  Leslie looked puzzled. “Everybody knows that. What does Mary in the Bible have to do with my secret?”

  “Who was Mary in the Christmas play at Grace Church two years ago?”

  Leslie’s face went white. “How should I know?” she stuttered.

  “Because you were Mary in the Christmas play,” said Ellen.

  “How do you know that?” Leslie asked.

  “I have a good memory,” Ellen replied.

  “But you didn’t see me, did you?” said Leslie.

  “No, but I heard you say your lines,” said Ellen. “So did my cousin, Dunkum.”

  “Really?” Leslie asked. “You remember my voice?”

  “I sure do,” Ellen said.

  Abby could not picture the mother of Jesus with stubby pigtails.

  “You’re right,” said Leslie. “I was Mary. But that’s not my secret. What else do you know about me?”

  Ellen said, “Well, you had a different last name then.”

  Abby started adding up the clues. She checked them off in her head.

&nbs
p; 1. Miss Hershey winked at Leslie.

  2. Leslie stayed inside with Miss Hershey during recess.

  3. She moved her desk close to Miss Hershey’s.

  4. Miss Hershey knew Leslie’s secret.

  5. Miss Hershey owed Leslie money. She knew where Leslie’s coin purse was.

  6. Miss Hershey grabbed Leslie’s hand during the fire alarm.

  Abby thought it over and over. Like a good detective. She scratched her head. The clues all led to one person—their teacher.

  “I’ve got it!” Abby shouted. “You’re Miss Hershey’s niece or cousin or something!”

  Eric said, “No way! Leslie doesn’t look anything like Miss Hershey.”

  “Maybe she’s adopted,” Stacy suggested.

  Leslie looked surprised. “That’s it! All of you are right.”

  “We are?” said Stacy, grinning.

  There were some unanswered questions. Like any super sleuth, Abby refused to leave any loose ends.

  “Why is your last name Groff and not Hershey?” Abby asked.

  “I made up the name Groff,” Leslie said, giggling. “Just for today.”

  “What about your father? Is he really a king?” Abby demanded.

  “Oh, that,” said Leslie. “I wanted to lead you astray.”

  “I knew it!” Abby said. “You tricked us on purpose.”

  Eric objected. “But that wasn’t a fair clue.”

  “Clues are clues,” said Leslie. “Some lead you off the track.”

  Abby wished Leslie were nicer about the whole thing.

  “Why doesn’t Dunkum remember Leslie?” Abby asked Ellen.

  “Well, he should have . . . because he was Joseph!” Ellen laughed. “I told you Dunkum is forgetful!”

  Abby and Stacy laughed. Dunkum didn’t seem to mind. He leaped up and pretended to shoot a basket.

  Jason wasn’t laughing. He was staring at Leslie. He was frowning hard.

  Just then, two fire trucks roared up.

  “They’re too late,” said Dunkum. “Look!”

  Coming out the back door, the principal carried a fire extinguisher. She held it high over her head.

  The kids’ cheering echoed around the playground.

  Soon the “all clear” bell sounded. The kids filed inside.

  Outside the classroom door, Jason pulled Abby aside. “You’ve got to help me,” he whispered.

  Jason’s face was as white as a sheet!

  TEN

  “What’s wrong with you, Jason?” Abby asked.

  “Leslie’s mad at me. That’s what.” Jason stopped. “And I’ve been mean to her. And . . .”

  Abby looked at her watch. “And there’s only fifteen minutes left of school today. What can you do to patch things up?” she asked.

  “Think of something, will you?” Jason pleaded.

  “I’ll try.” Abby couldn’t think of much.

  The kids took their seats, and Leslie whispered something to Miss Hershey.

  Miss Hershey looked surprised. Then she put her hands on Leslie’s shoulders. “Class, I am happy to introduce my niece to you. Her name is Leslie Hershey. She tells me you are all very good detectives.”

  The kids cheered. “Yahoo!”

  Jason put his head down.

  “What clues helped you most?” their teacher asked.

  Abby raised her hand. “When you grabbed Leslie’s hand during the fire alarm. That’s something an aunt would probably do.”

  Stacy shot her hand up. “Leslie didn’t come out for recess. If my aunt was the teacher, I might stay in and help her, too.”

  “Yeah, and she moved her desk next to yours,” added Eric.

  “But she doesn’t look like you, Miss Hershey,” said Dunkum. “That was real tricky!”

  Miss Hershey smiled. “Leslie has been out of school for teacher work days. I wanted her to visit my class. But it was Leslie’s idea to keep her identity a secret. Was it good practice for solving mysteries?”

  “Yes!” cried the class. Everyone clapped. Except Jason.

  “Can we solve another mystery sometime?” Abby asked. She loved mysteries.

  “That’s a good idea. But now it’s time to announce this week’s Special Person.”

  Miss Hershey took a large candy bar from her desk drawer. The Special Person would be eating it soon! “Jason Birchall, you’re the Special Person this week.”

  Jason sat up tall at his desk. “Thanks, Miss Hershey.” He took the candy bar and popped it into his shirt pocket.

  Miss Hershey reminded him to bring baby pictures and family pictures. And a list of his favorite things: books, games, and people. For the bulletin board.

  Jason’s favorite thing to do was not a secret. He liked to pig out on food. Mostly junk food.

  Suddenly, Abby knew how to help Jason settle things with Leslie. But did she have time to tell him before the bell rang?

  Quickly, she printed a note. Jason must not eat the candy bar in his pocket!

  Jason scrunched his face into a frown when he read the note. He stared at Abby. “Why not?” he mouthed.

  “Trust me,” she mouthed back.

  Rrrinng! The final bell.

  Miss Hershey made an announcement. “Leslie will return to her own school tomorrow,” she said. “Maybe she can come back for another visit sometime.”

  The kids called good-bye to Leslie.

  Abby rushed to Jason’s desk. “Hurry or you’ll be too late.” She glanced at Leslie. She was cleaning out her desk.

  “What should I do?” Jason whined.

  Abby tapped on the candy bar through his shirt pocket. The apple seeds were still in there, too. “Here’s your answer,” she said. “If you want to win her over, give her your candy bar.”

  Jason sighed. “How do you know it’ll work?”

  “Remember the Golden Rule? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Leslie loves sweets.”

  “That makes two of us.” Slowly, he pulled the candy bar out of its hiding place. He held it in his hand. “I shouldn’t eat this,” he said sadly. “It cancels out the good stuff I had for lunch.”

  He held the candy bar to his nose. He breathed deeply. “Smells great,” he said with glazed eyes. Then he saw the teacher’s niece packing her things.

  “Better decide now,” Abby said. “She’s on her way home.”

  Leslie and Miss Hershey walked out the door and into the hallway.

  “Leslie, wait!” Jason called.

  Leslie stopped. She looked surprised. Turning to her aunt, she said, “Go ahead. I’ll catch up in a second.”

  Abby watched from the door. She heard Jason say he was sorry about chasing Leslie. Then he offered her the candy bar.

  Abby held her breath. Please be nice, Leslie.

  Leslie raised her eyebrows. She looked embarrassed. “Thanks,” Leslie said quietly. “You’re A-OK!”

  Jason took a deep breath. “You’re OK, too.” He paused.

  Now what? thought Abby.

  “Uh, you can call me a show-off if you want to.”

  “So . . . we’re friends?” Leslie said, smiling.

  “Friends,” he said.

  Then Leslie unwrapped the candy bar and gave him half. “Show-off isn’t the best name for you,” Leslie said. She pulled on her pigtails. “Sharing is much better.”

  Jason turned bright red.

  Abby wished she had a camera. This was a perfect picture for the Special Person bulletin board. She hurried off to tell Stacy.

  “Hey, Abby, wait up!” Jason called to her.

  Abby laughed. She pretended to take his picture.

  “Don’t be silly.” Jason held out his half of the candy bar. “Want a bite?”

  Abby reached for it.

  “Happy School Spirit Day!” he shouted, taking it back. In one bite it was gone.

  Abby wasn’t finished with Jason. She had a great idea. “Race you home.”

  “I’m too tired,” Jason said, munching.

  “I have
a feeling my mom made brownies,” she said, starting to run.

  Jason’s eyes grew wide. He rubbed his stomach. He took off after Abby.

  Abby raced across the playground to Blossom Hill Lane.

  The Cul-de-sac Kids cheered as Jason ran all the way to Abby’s porch. He collapsed on the steps. “OK, now let’s have those brownies!”

  “Just kidding,” Abby shouted. “Happy School Spirit Day!”

  Jason burst into laughter.

  Abby wished School Spirit Day were closer than a whole year away.

  The Cul-de-Sac Kids Series

  Don’t Miss #24!

  THE MIDNIGHT MYSTERY

  Dunkum’s end-of-school party turns into a huge mystery. His cousin’s guide dog, Honey, is suddenly missing after the celebration. At midnight!

  Feeling responsible, Dunkum gets some help from the Cul-de-sac Kids. Abby Hunter and the others play detective along with Dunkum. But it’s not all fun and games.

  Who’d want to steal Ellen’s beloved dog in the first place? What will happen if Dunkum doesn’t unravel the mystery? It’s the dognapping adventure of the year!

  About the Author

  Beverly Lewis first got the idea for this story from her schoolteacher sister. Barbara Birch played a trick on her fourth grade class. Beverly wanted to write about the real-life trick. So she wrote The Upside-Down Day to share the fun—the mystery, too—with her many chapter book readers.

  “Did you guess Leslie’s secret along with Abby Hunter?” asks Beverly.

  Even if you don’t have a mystery student in your class, you could have a school spirit day this year.

  The Cul-de-sac Kids series offers adventure, mystery, and fun. Be sure to collect each book!

  Learn more about Beverly and her books at www.BeverlyLewis.com

  Also by Beverly Lewis

  Amish Prayers

  The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

  GIRLS ONLY (GO!)†

  Youth Fiction

  Girls Only! Volume One • Girls Only! Volume Two

  SUMMERHILL SECRETS‡

  Youth Fiction

  SummerHill Secrets: Volume One • SummerHill Secrets: Volume Two

  HOLLY’S HEART

  Youth Fiction

  Holly’s Heart: Collection One‡ • Holly’s Heart: Collection Two‡

  Holly’s Heart: Collection Three†