4 A Space-Filled Day

CHAPTER FOUR A SPACE-FILLED DAY Crystallography (noun). This is the kind of chemistry that studies the crystal structure of molecules that contain elements like gold and iron. In order to understand the crystals, scientists need to study the atoms. In order to understand our friends, wouldn't it be nice to have a crystal ball? AFTER CHEMISTRY CLUB WAS OVER, Birdie and I walked home together. Normally, I get a ride with my mom. And Elijah comes too, along with Liam, who talks nonstop. But last week, my mom had promised Birdie and me that we could bike home together, as long as there wasn't ice on the ground and it wasn't snowing. Well, obviously, with the flurries today, that plan had been scrapped. But we had still decided we were up for a mile-long hike. Although the snow was light, we wore boots, thick parkas, gloves, and wool caps. The wind whipped snow flurries around us. "Snowflakes are ice crystals," I said. "True." Birdie sounded like she was both bored and disappointed, which didn't make sense.

Tilting up my chin, I watched the snowflakes as they cascaded downward. "Amazing that each one is made up of water molecules. Two hydrogen atoms bond with one oxygen atom. Then they dance themselves to form six-sided rings. Hexagons." I stuck out my tongue. A snowflake landed right on the tip. "Hexagons taste good. But they could use a little sugar." "Uh-huh," said Birdie. "Or maple syrup." "Sure," said Birdie. Whipping around, I clapped my gloved hands together. "Oh, did I tell you? I asked Ms. Daly if we could launch rockets during chemistry club." "Really?" "Yeah. I just have to come up with a plan. But hopefully, she'll say yes." Then I excitedly told her about the rocket launch at Tala's old science club back in California. And how she was going to help me with the rockets for Liam's birthday party. "He's going to love it!" I looked up at the sky, as if maybe I could somehow catch sight of a twinkling star in the middle of the day. "Tala's an expert on outer space. She wants to be an astronaut. It's pretty awesome, right?" "I guess."

"With Tala around, it feels like rockets are in the air. Get it? In the air?" "Yeah. I get it." Birdie fiddled with her bracelet. "Maybe we could use the leftover drink mix to make slushies. Rocket launching and slushies. Oh! And we could make cherry ones, your favorite." Birdie shrugged. "Sounds all right. But it could be snowing." She pointed up at the milky sky. "Or sleeting. Doesn't really seem to be the best idea." "Well, we won't know unless we try. Which is the point, right? Of doing experiments, I mean." "Sure. Well, see you later." Birdie hiked up her backpack and started to turn left onto Oak Lane Court. "Wait. You don't need to go so soon. We could—" I dug my gloves into a bank of fresh snow. "Have a snowball fight. Or make snow angels!" Birdie loved tracing halos over our angels, which would make them look almost real. "Not now." "My dad bought that special hot chocolate mix. And we can put mini marshmallows in it." Birdie shrugged. "I'm not in the mood." "Is everything okay?" "Fine." "Are you sure?" "I just want to go home," she said.

"Okay. Another time then!" As I trudged back alone to my house, I felt a little bit sad and disappointed. It was Friday. And Fridays mean the weekend. And weekends mean long playdates or sleepovers. Then I wondered if Birdie wasn't feeling well. I should have asked her. I whipped around to see if she was still on the sidewalk, but she was already inside. Then I thought about something I could do that might cheer her up. Maybe Mom and I could bake chocolate chip cookies and drop them off at her house. Chocolate always makes Birdie feel better. But my mom says that when someone is grumpy, sometimes you just need to give them space. So maybe I should let her be. I guess it was just a space-filled day. And it was just about to get even space-ier. I'm not sure if that's a word, but it really should be. Which got me wondering more about actual outer space and how it wasn't really empty but had molecules spaced far apart. And that got me wondering about Tala. What would she be doing on a Friday? Probably something awesome like looking through a telescope at the stars in the sky.