Chapter Twenty-One

When we get back from the beach cleanup, I find Mom curled up on the couch covered with a knitted blanket. She’s taking a nap after working at the office. I snuggle in with her. She sleepily asks, “How was the beach cleanup?”

“Good,” I reply.

Then I fall silent.

“What’s wrong?” she says, sitting up. “I thought you’d be speaking nonstop once you got home.”

“Nick made fun of me, and it seems like he doesn’t like to hang out with me anymore. And why does he want to be called Nicolas now? He’s always been Nick. And now he doesn’t think girls are gross anymore. It’s too much.” The corners of my eyes well up with tears. I never realized how much it was bothering me until I said it out loud.

“Oh, you’re being mensa, Stella. He does love you…” Then she stops. I can tell she’s choosing her words carefully.

“He does, he really does. He’s just getting older and wanting to sound grown-up. That’s why he wants to be called Nicolas.”

“Why does he make fun of me?” I ask. I can feel my lip quivering a little.

“It’s complicated. Sometimes he says mean things, but he really doesn’t mean it.”

“I’m not sure about that. I don’t like this ‘Nicolas.’” I mush my face into Mom’s shoulder.

“I swear. Did you know he ignored me at his birthday pizza party?”

I shake my head.

“I felt upset, but then I thought about it … I was a teenager once and I was igual o peor. He is tame next to me,” she laughs.

I raise my eyebrows.

“Really?”

“But I’ll tell you more about that later. You’re a little young for that.”

I am dumbfounded. I can’t imagine Mom not being sweet. She’s Miss Responsibility.

“As for the name thing, there might be a day when you will want to be called Estrella.”

I shake my head.

“Never.”

“You might, and I’ll call you Estrella if that’s what you want. But in my heart, I’ll always be calling you mi bebé.”

She pulls me into a hug. I normally would groan a little after her calling me a baby, but today I don’t mind at all.

“And one day you might like someone, too,” she whispers.

“I’ve got too many things to worry about now, Mom,” I reply. “Right now, I’m like a captain. My only love is the sea.”

“Okay,” she replies with a sly smile. “Well, tell me one good thing. There has to be one thing from the beach cleanup, right?”

I grin. There is.

“Well, my ocean group has an official name, I think. We’re the Sea Musketeers.”

“Great.”

“And we’re up to five people including me,” I add smugly.

“Increíble.”

Mom stands up and stretches her arms overhead.

“And that’s not all … Can we host a club meeting next weekend in our casa?”

She lowers her arms back down. She’s speechless. I can tell she’s a bit surprised, but also pleased.

“Sí, sí. Claro que sí,” she says quickly. Then she puts her hands to her face.

“Oh, I’ll have to get little snacks for you guys. Una fiesta.” Mom cha-chas a little.

“This is work, Mom. Important work.”

I cross my arms and give her a serious stare.

Mom smiles.

“Yes. I’ll get only serious snacks like bagel bites.”

“No balloons,” I add. “That’s unnecessary and adds more plastic to the oceans.”

She gives me two thumbs-up. Then she says, “Oh, by the way, Jenny called. She said to call her back.”

She must have gotten the card. I hope that means she accepts my apology and not that she wants to tell me that she no longer wants to be my best friend. My heart beats fast when I dial her number. When Jenny picks up the phone, I immediately say, “I’m really sorry, Jenny.”

“I know. But I’ve also been thinking. I’m a little guilty, too. I think we both haven’t been as supportive to each other as we could have been.”

“I promise to be a better best friend,” I reply.

“Me too. So how was the beach cleanup?”

“Good! We cleaned up a bunch of trash. Mr. Kyle said that the whole volunteer group picked up over a hundred pounds of trash. The most ever collected.”

“Way to go!” Jenny says.

“My club also has an official name, too.”

“Oh,” Jenny replies. “I didn’t know you had a club.”

Jenny sounds a little sad, which makes me feel bad. I know what will make her feel better.

Quickly, I reply, “Yeah, we’re going to save the oceans. We’re starting with a bake sale. I got inspired by the book you checked out from the library.”

“Really?” Jenny replies, sounding much happier.

“Yeah, I couldn’t have done this without my best friend. If you’re not too busy, you can come to our first meeting. It’s at my house.”

“Yes! I’d love to. Anything that involves baking and my best friend. I’m in.”

I smile and reply, “Now tell me all about dance camp.”

While Jenny talks about her upcoming recital, I feel relieved. I know that Jenny and I might have different interests, but as long as we take the time to listen to each other we will be A-OK.