On the Back Burner by Diane Muldrow Page B

lunch.”
    “Absolutely, Freddie agreed. Peichi hugged them both. Then she waved good-bye.
    Mrs. Moore turned to Peichi. “Normally, I would expect Dish to clean up after itself, but this was an unusual circumstance. You’ve done enough work for one day!”
    “Thank you,” Peichi said. “Do you mind if we just stay here a minute and split up the money?”
    “Go right ahead,” Mrs. Moore said as she headed down the hallway.
    “How did we do?” Connor asked as Peichi counted out all the money from the envelope.
    “We did really well,” she said. She took out money to repay Mr. Moore. “This is for ingredients,” she explained. Then she paid each of the boys.
    “If you ever need help again, let us know,” Omar said enthusiastically.
    “Thanks, you guys,” Peichi said. “You’ve been great.”
    “No problem,” Connor said as the boys headed out the door. Peichi was about to walk out right behind them. But she stopped a moment, looking around the quiet house. From down the hall she could hear Mrs. Moore chatting on the kitchen phone.
    With a burst of speed, she raced up the front stairs. She just had to tell Amanda and Molly how it had all turned out so well. Peichi found the girls sprawled across their beds reading magazines.
    “Peichi!” Molly cried in an excited whisper. “Did Mom say you could come up?”
    “Not really,” Peichi admitted, shutting the door. She sat at the end of Amanda’s bed and told the twins how great Carmen, Freddie, and the boys had been. “Your parents are even doing the cleanup. Everyone’s been really helpful.”
    “Were the guys happy with the money?” Amanda asked.
    “They were extremely happy,” Peichi reported.
    “Good,” Molly said. “At first I didn’t want them here because I didn’t want a bunch of boys having to help us girls out, like we couldn’t handle it alone. But, you know, that wasn’t right. I was just thinking of them as boys—”
    “One very cute boy,” Amanda cut in.
    Molly rolled her eyes at her. “As I was saying, I was thinking of them as goof-off boys and not as friends-friends who know how to cook. It’s important for Dish to have some backup chefs just for times like these.”
    “You’re a good businesswoman, Molls,” Amanda said.
    “Thanks,” she replied. “Now I just have to work on being a healthy businesswoman.”

Chapter 12
    B y Tuesday, all the Chef Girls were recovered and back in school.
    “I’m so glad you’re all back!” Peichi exclaimed. “And guess what! I’ve got good news—you’re all invited to my house for the New Year’s Eve party tomorrow night!”
    “Your parents said we can come?” asked Natasha.
    “Yep. I brought home a couple of really good grades, and they really liked what I’ve done with my extra-credit project, so I’m on their good side again,” Peichi replied. “I’ll be filming the party for the end of my film, so look good.”
    “We always look good,” Shawn said, laughing.
    Amanda noticed a red sheet of paper tacked to the cafeteria bulletin board. Getting up from her seat, she went to see what it was about. She returned to the table, practically jumping with excitement.
    “What is it?” Molly asked.
    “I can’t believe we didn’t know about this sooner!” Amanda announced. “There’s going to be a Valentine’s Day dance this very Saturday. This Saturday! I’ve got to go shopping.”
    “Why would you want to waste your money on a fancy dress that you probably won’t even wear again until next Christmas? And it probably won’t fit you by then, anyway!” Molly said.
    “We know why she needs a new dress,” Natasha said with a smile.
    “Justin,” the girls sang out.
    “Quiet!” Amanda shushed them. “He’ll hear you.”
    Athena stopped by the table. “Hi, girls,” she said.
    “Athena! Guess what! I got a ninety on my last math test!” Peichi told her. “Those tutoring sessions with you helped so much.”
    “You go, Peichi!” Athena cheered. “Molly, I