Triple Trouble by Julia DeVillers

Payton said. “Maybe they were lip-reading like you tried to do for your failed science project.”
    â€œIt wasn’t a failed project. Jazmine protested it before I even made it, that’s all,” I said, scowling. “Anyway their lips weren’t moving. Like I said, it was all very strange.”
    The warning bell rang. The hallway got loud as students raced to their classes.
    â€œEeps! I forgot to tell you something,” Payton said, slamming her locker door. “While you were being me, Iwas being you. I had to do a Mathletes demonstration in the principal’s office for the school board.”
    â€œYou what ?!” My jaw dropped.
    â€œDon’t worry. I was great,” Payton said. “Have to go or I’ll be late to class. Bye!”
    But . . . but . . . I watched my sister hurry away. I thought about what a Mathletes demonstration by Payton would be, and shuddered. On second thought, I didn’t want to think about it at all.
    I had lunch this period. Although I wasn’t hungry (third-period lunch), I knew I’d need sustenance to get through this kind of day. I grabbed my lunch bag and headed into the cafeteria.
    â€œHi, Emma!” Tess said.
    I sat down next to her, in my usual seat between her and Courtney Jones.
    â€œI was just saying how I have two of those triplets in my gym class,” Courtney said. “Cashmere tried to talk them into singing for us, but they said they only perform when they’re all together. And for money. I think that was a joke.”
    I wouldn’t be so sure. Those triplets were a little slick.
    â€œThey look so much alike,” Tess said. “Don’t you think, Emma?”
    â€œDefinitely,” I said.
    â€œI wish I had a twin or triplet.” Courtney sighed. “Well, at least I have quintuplet hamster babies.”
    Courtney was pretty into her hamsters. I’d first met her at a science fair, when her hamster had gotten loose from an exhibit. She was a contender this year for a prize, but my fiercest competition was, of course, Jazmine.
    Jazmine James, who was walking by my lunch table with Hector. And stopping.
    â€œGuess what, Emma and Courtney?” Jazmine said. “I got the final phase of my science project approved this morning.”
    â€œIt’s outstanding,” Hector added.
    â€œHow’s your science project coming?” Jazmine asked.
    â€œSo great!” Courtney said. “I’m getting some interesting results about the effects of music on hamsters. I’m testing whether or not they run faster on their wheels to different kinds of music.”
    â€œI hope you’re not set up next to me,” Jazmine said. “Hamsters creep me out.”
    â€œThey’re cute and fuzzy,” Tess said, jumping to Courtney’s defense. “I think it’s an interesting idea.”
    â€œEmma,” Jazmine said turning to me. “You’re so lucky. You must have so much free time, while the rest of us slave away at our science fair projects.”
    â€œOh, I have a lot going on. You know, special projects and all that,” I said breezily. Before I could change the direction of this conversation to a discussion of our English paper (A+!), it was changed for me.
    â€œIt’s Emma!” a voice yelled across the cafeteria. “We want to sit with Emma!”
    The entire cafeteria turned to see who was yelling. It was Jason, with Mason and their mother, Counselor Case. The boys were carrying lunch trays. And they were heading my way.
    â€œLooks like you have some groupies.” Jazmine smirked and walked off with Hector in tow.
    â€œSorry in advance for this,” I told Tess and Courtney.
    â€œOh, I think they’re adorable!” Tess said.
    â€œAlmost as cute as my hamsters,” Courtney said.
    â€œYeah, they are,” I agreed. “But they’re more unpredictable than hamsters.”
    â€œEmma, guess