10 A Crystal Ball

CHAPTER TEN A Crystal Ball Crystal (noun). A type of solid made up of molecules and ions arranged in a definite three- dimensional pattern. Salt and sugar are examples of tasty crystals that have their own unique crystal structures. ON THE OTHER SIDE of the playground, I could hear Julia bossing around some fourth graders. Telling them not to run so they "wouldn't slip on the ice like penguins." She took her job in student government pretty seriously, especially since they have a new safety campaign. "I just wish I could do my presentation on penguins," I said to Birdie and Tala, who stood by the swings. And I explained how Julia didn't seem to get penguins. I knew that they rarely slipped on ice. "I don't see why you can't do it too," said Tala. "It's not too late. The presentation's not for ten days." I shook my head. "Mrs. Eberlin just wants one person per animal for our presentations." "Sea lions are wonderful, Kate," said Birdie. "I wish you could see that."

水晶球（名词）。 一种由分子和离子按一定的三维模式排列而成的固体。 盐和糖是具有独特晶体结构的美味晶体。 在操场的另一边，我听到茱莉亚对一些四年级学生颐指气使。 告诉他们不要跑，这样他们“就不会像企鹅一样在冰上滑倒”。 她非常认真地对待自己在学生会的工作，尤其是在他们发起了一项新的安全运动之后。 “我真希望我能做关于企鹅的演讲，”我对站在秋千旁的伯迪和塔拉说。 我向她解释了茱莉亚是如何不懂企鹅的。 我知道他们很少在冰上滑倒。 “我不明白你为什么不能这么做。”塔拉说。 “现在还不算太晚。演讲不是十天后的事。” 我摇了摇头。“埃伯林夫人只希望每个动物一人参加我们的展示。” “海狮太棒了，凯特，”小鸟说。 “我希望你能看到这一点。”

"Yeah, but penguins surf through waves, dive off cliffs, and will lie on their bellies and toboggan down a hill. Now, that's fun." I sighed heavily. "I could seriously give my presentation on penguins tomorrow. I mean, I know way more penguin-y things than Julia." "True," said Birdie. "But wouldn't you have more fun learning something new about sea lions?" "Plus, it would be kind of unfair if you did penguins," said Tala. "Since you already know so much." "Wow, it sounds like you guys aren't on my side," I said, hurt. Birdie's eyes got big. And she looked at Tala anxiously. "No, that's not it at all," said Birdie. "We're just trying to look at the bright side." She scooped up some old snow on the ground and packed it into a ball. Then jokingly said, "Looking into this crystal ball, I see good things in your future." "Ha-ha," I said. "We want you to feel good about your presentation," said Tala. And then I just stood there not really looking at anything. To me, it seemed unfair that Birdie could talk about this when she and Phoenix got to switch and

“是的，但是企鹅在海浪中冲浪，从悬崖上跳水，还会趴着，坐雪橇下山。 现在，这很有趣。”我重重地叹了口气。 “我明天可以认真地做关于企鹅的报告。 我的意思是，我知道的企鹅的事情比茱莉亚多得多。” “没错，”小鸟说。“但是，学习一些关于海狮的新知识不是更有趣吗？”塔拉说：“另外，如果你对企鹅下手，那就有点不公平了。” “既然你已经知道这么多了。” “哇，听起来你们不是站在我这边的。”我受伤地说。 小鸟的眼睛变大了。她焦急地看着塔拉。 “不，根本不是这样，”小鸟说。 “我们只是想看到光明的一面。” 她从地上捡起一些旧雪，把它揉成一个球。 然后开玩笑地说：“看着这个水晶球，我看到了你美好的未来。” “哈哈，”我说。塔拉说：“我们希望你对自己的演讲感觉良好。” 然后我就站在那里，什么也没看。 对我来说，伯蒂和菲尼克斯要换了，她还能谈论这些似乎不公平

I didn't. Plus, I bet that Julia didn't have a penguin poster in her room or a penguin stuffed animal that she gave to her little brother. She didn't even have a little brother. I sighed again. "I think you need some cheering up," said Birdie. "Yes," said Tala. "Kate does need some cheering up." "It's time for Operation Cheer Up Kate. And I think that involves chocolate." "Definitely chocolate." From watching Dr. Caroline on YouTube, I know that there are six different forms of chocolate crystals that are smooth and glossy and will melt in your mouth. Yum! "You guys are so right," said Tala. "You should come over to my house after school and we can make snacks for the trip." I smiled really big, since Tala's class was also going on the field trip and on the same bus. "We can make homemade chocolate-covered pretzels," added Tala. "Oh, that sounds like so much fun!" I cried. "How about if we come to my house though? My dad's working in his office. He likes it if I'm home to keep an eye on Liam." "Kate's house it is," said Tala. "Will this afternoon work?" "Yes!" I shouted.

我没有。另外，我敢打赌茱莉亚的房间里没有企鹅海报，也没有企鹅毛绒玩具，她没有给她弟弟。 她甚至没有弟弟。 我又叹了口气。“我认为你需要一些鼓励，”小鸟说。 “是的。”塔拉说。“凯特确实需要一些鼓励。” “是时候让凯特振作起来了。 我认为这与巧克力有关。” “肯定是巧克力。”从观看Dr。 YouTube上的Caroline，我知道有六种不同形式的巧克力晶体，它们光滑有光泽，入口即化。 Yum !“你们说得太对了，”塔拉说。 “你应该放学后到我家来，我们可以为旅行做零食。” 我笑得很开心，因为塔拉的班级也参加了实地考察，而且是在同一辆公共汽车上。 “我们可以自制巧克力脆饼，”塔拉补充道。 “哦，听起来太有趣了！”我哭了。 “那我们去我家怎么样？” 我爸爸在办公室工作。 他喜欢我在家照看利亚姆。” “是凯特的房子。”塔拉说。 “今天下午行吗？”“是的!”我叫道。

We all joined hands, or rather mittens, and spun in a circle. And then when we broke away, we spun some more. When the bell rang, Birdie and I raced inside, but then stopped to wait for Tala to catch up. Since she was new to the snow, she had too many layers of clothing on, and took forever to change out of her snow gear. Jeremy called out, "Tala looks like a penguin." "Be quiet, Jeremy," I said. And I gritted my teeth. It seemed like everyone and everything wanted to remind me of penguins.

我们手拉手，或者更确切地说是连指手套，绕着圈子旋转。 当我们分开的时候，我们又旋转了一些。 下课铃响了，我和小鸟跑了进去，然后停下来等塔拉赶上来。 由于她对雪不熟悉，她穿了太多的衣服，花了很长时间才换掉她的雪具。 杰里米喊道：“塔拉看起来像企鹅。” “安静，杰里米，”我说。 我咬紧牙关。似乎每个人、每件事都想让我想起企鹅。