Chapter Three

Sizzle, Pop

On Friday, we have drama class again, and Ms. Tinkle has us do even more exercises. She explains that we will be “mirroring” another person. Unfortunately, Alyssa is my other person, and she’s got a great big frown on her face.

“Remember,” Ms. Tinkle says, “one of you is the mirror and one of you is the person, and the mirror has to reflect what the person is doing.”

“You’re the mirror, Lola,” Alyssa says. “I’m the person.” Then she flips her hair, so I do, too, but I don’t have nearly as much hair to flip.

“Are you making fun of me?” she grumbles.

“No, I’m mirroring you,” I say.

She raises her arm, so I raise my arm. She moves her feet, and I try to move my feet in the same way, but I’m bored, so I do a little jump and spin.

“Lola Levine, you are so weird!” Alyssa says with her hands on her hips.

“I’m not weird. I’m dramatic,” I say with my hands on my hips just like hers. I think of the definition in Mom’s dictionary. “I attract attention!”

“Yeah, because you’re weird. And loud, too. I’m going to be an actress when I grow up,” she says, stomping her foot. I stomp my foot, too.

“Well, maybe I’ll be an actress, too,” I say, raising my voice. “My middle name means ‘star,’ you know.”

Just then, Ms. Tinkle raises her arms and says, “STOP! It’s time for our next activity. Everyone lie down on the floor.”

I’m happy the mirror game is done, and I go lie down next to Josh.

“Now, students, this is called the popcorn game. I want everyone to pretend they’re popcorn kernels and the floor is a great big pan filled with oil.”

“Yuck,” I whisper to Josh.

“Lola! Pay attention!” Ms. Tinkle says. I guess I have a loud whisper.

“Now, students,” Ms. Tinkle says, “imagine the pan is getting sizzling hot.”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I’m burning up,” I scream, because I want Ms. Tinkle to know I’m good at acting.

“Please, no screaming, Lola. You’ll scare the kindergartners next door,” Ms. Tinkle says. Ben is in kindergarten, and it would take more than a few screams to scare him, I think.

“Improvise!” Ms. Tinkle says. “You are popcorn kernels—what do you do?” Alyssa jumps up and claps her hands.

“That’s right, Alyssa!” Ms. Tinkle says. “You pop! Well done.” Soon everyone starts to jump and pop and clap, and it does sound pretty cool. I wish I had thought of popping.