Chapter Twenty

Nick acts normal the day of the beach cleanup and doesn’t mention anything to me about being forced to come. We ride the Metra with Jason to Lake Michigan. When we arrive, the beach is filled with strangers, young and old, ready to help. I never knew so many people cared.

“Whoa … it’s busy,” says Jason.

At the beach, I get excited when I see Kristen, Logan, Ms. Susan, and Mr. Kyle. Then I spy Mariel. I am glad she came, but it definitely means I’m going to have to try harder today to win her over.

“Welcome, everyone,” says Mr. Kyle with a bullhorn. “Thank you for coming to our beach cleanup. We do this a few times a year.”

“And we post the dates online,” says Ms. Susan, leaning over to speak into Mr. Kyle’s horn.

Mr. Kyle pauses and resumes speaking.

“While Lake Michigan isn’t an ocean, this lake is just as important to us. Not only is it a majestic body of water to look at but this lake is also home to over three thousand plant and animal species, not to mention forty million people. This water right next to us eventually ends up in our beloved oceans through the rivers and streams. If we want to keep our oceans clean, we’ve got to start right at home.”

I gasp. It’s amazing how all the water on earth is connected. Each body of water affects the other.

“Now, I have thick gloves, paper bags, and sticks for everyone to pick up the litter. So if you’re ready, come on up!”

As we pick up the trash, Nick goes off with Jason, leaving me with my new club members.

The majority of what we find is just plastic bottles, cans, and food wrappers. Occasionally we find something weird like a stuffed toy or T-shirt. A toy I understand. Kids leave toys behind all the time. They must have been sad, but who loses a T-shirt?

While we pick up the random trash, Logan brings up what he’d like to do with the club.

“I want to raise so much money just like my cousin Mary. She raised money to save the sea otters all by herself!”

Although I’m impressed by Logan’s cousin, I have a hard time listening to him. That’s because I notice Nick talking to a couple of older girls with Jason. He points over at me and rolls his eyes. I overhear him say, “I’m here because of my annoying little sister. She always drags me to stuff like this.”

It hurts more than a bee sting. The way he’s saying it makes it seem like I’m just a pest. Thankfully, Mariel starts talking.

“I’ve been thinking. What’s the name of the club?”

I look down. I can’t believe I hadn’t considered a name. That’s, like, step one of forming a club.

“Every club has a good name,” she says.

I turn a little roja. I hope that everyone doesn’t think I’m not prepared enough, especially Mariel.

“The Ocean Crusaders?” I suggest.

Mariel shrugs. “That’s not catchy enough.”

I look from side to side frantically. I cover my mouth with my hand and take a secret deep breath. With a clear head, I’ve got it! I remember that Jacques Cousteau started a group with his friends Philippe and Frédéric called the Sea Musketeers. Maybe that could be the name of our group!

I blurt out, “The Sea Musketeers.”

“I like it!” says Kristen, flashing her braces at me.

Logan nods. “Well, I think it’s a contender. We should vote at our first meeting.”

“When is that going to be?” asks Mariel.

I gulp. I hadn’t planned that far.

Quickly I reply, “Let’s have our first meeting next weekend at my place. I’ll have to check with my mom first, but I think it should be okay.”

We collect trash the rest of the morning. Mr. Kyle said it was the largest group they have ever had on a beach cleanup day. It’s awesome to know that we did something big together.

After we’re done volunteering and Jason goes home, I walk alone with Nick. I feel exhausted from being in the sun all morning long, and now that it’s the afternoon, it’s only getting hotter. I really could go for ice cream, but I don’t feel like suggesting fun things to do with Nick right now. Especially after what he said about me.

“Why are you so quiet?” he says, messing with my curls.

“No reason,” I reply, not looking at him.

I didn’t have the words to tell him. He has never made fun of me in front of other people before. It hurts even more because I think my big brother is pretty awesome, most of the time.

He shrugs. “I had a great time. I met a girl who is going to be in my high school next year.”

He looks a little lovesick.

“But I thought you said girls were gross.”

“Just you,” he replies.

I cross my arms. We walk the rest of the way home in silence.