5 The Bad Luck Kid

CHAPTER FIVE THE BAD LUCK KID Improbability principle (noun). This is the idea in science that coincidences might not be rare. For example, if there is a classroom of thirty students, the chances that two kids will have the same birthday is really high! Which means a double birthday party at school! THE MINUTE I FINISHED HANGING up my coat, Liam burst into the mudroom. "I'm bad luck," he moaned. "What? You're the opposite of that. Who made the most goals on his soccer team?" "Me." "Who saw the giant green frog at the county fair?" "Me." "Who got to be Student of the Month in kindergarten?" "Me. But Desmond said I'm the most unlucky kid ever." Desmond was Liam's best friend and he said lots of silly things. Like that he ate slugs for breakfast and had invisibility superpowers.

"C'mon." I plunked off my boots. "Let's talk in the kitchen." "Desmond said that 'cause I'm born on December thirteenth, my whole life is bad luck. He said thirteen is a really unlucky number." "That's just a superstition. And it's not true." "Then how come I broke my collarbone when we went to Florida? And lost my Batman sneakers? Plus, the tooth fairy forgot to give me money last month." "You got money, Liam." "Yeah, but the day after I was supposed to. And last year, my birthday party didn't even—" "Stop! Seriously. The thirteenth is an awesome day. All that stuff has nothing to do with the number thirteen. You should stop talking about it." And if I was being honest, I just couldn't handle hearing about Liam's non-party last year. Even rescheduling it didn't work out, because of a snowstorm and then it was winter break. Plus, a bunch of Liam's friends all got sick, too. That's why Mom and Dad had promised Liam an extra-special birthday party this year. Usually, he can only invite ten friends. This year they said he could invite twenty. Basically, his entire kindergarten class. But right now, Liam wasn't focusing on the positive. He was as negative as an electron.

Liam pouted so that his bottom lip stuck out like a bulldog's. "Desmond said bad things will happen at my birthday party. Catastrophes." "Ignore Desmond. He's trying to get your goat." "I don't have a goat." Liam almost sort of smiled. "I have a dog." He pointed to where our rust-colored retriever, Dribble, lay in front of the back door. "'Getting your goat' is an expression. Desmond was trying to tease you. Let's talk about happy things— like your party decorations." Liam's shoulders went less slumpy. "It's got to be everything outer space." "I know, but let's decide on the details." "Okay." His eyes sparkled and the world seemed almost sunny, even though the snow was coming down faster outside. I grabbed two packets of hot chocolate and a bag of miniature marshmallows. "I think we need a treat." I filled up our teakettle with water. "If you're making hot chocolate, count me in," said Dad, strolling into the kitchen. He's a psychologist, which means he helps people with their problems and sometimes does his paperwork in his home office. "I'm ready for a break." "On it." I whipped out another packet of hot chocolate.

"Katie's planning my birthday party," shouted Liam. He's the only person I let call me Katie. Although his cheeks were still red from being upset, a smile was on his face. We plopped down at the kitchen table, and Dad grabbed a yellow pad from a drawer. "I'll be the note taker. I can't wait to hear your ideas," he said. "Same here," I said. "Same not here," said Liam with a giggle. "'Cause I'm in outer space!"