Read Bending Over Backwards for Free Online Page B

hear. The gurgling in the pipes told me she was already in her shower. Alex needed a fire truck to wake him. I pulled out the box of brownie mix and the oil from the pantry. In the cabinet, I found a bowl and a wooden spoon and got to mixing.
    I was good at making brownies. I was even good at cracking the egg.
    As I waited for the oven to preheat, I lifted my phone from the charging station on the desk. I’d been too wiped out last night after gymnastics to check my messages. I wasn’t surprised to find one from Eden.
    411 on new gym? Did they luv u? they must b stoked 2 have star like u!!
    I swirled my finger in the batter, then licked it. Eden thought I was great at gymnastics. She hadn’t seen the girls at Top Flight. She hadn’t heard Nastia list all the things I do wrong. She didn’t know how my body hurt this morning.
    U wont believe how bad
    I started texting but stopped. Gymnastics was the one thing I’d always done better than Eden. Eden got better grades. Her hair always blew out glossier and straighter. Eden’s parents were still married and even held hands when they watched a movie. Plus she had two adorable little sisters who idolized her. But I was the gymnastics star.
    The move had messed me up and gotten me out of shape, I decided. With time, I’d be the star here too. A superstar!
    I began again.
    totally awesome!!! way better than Darias!
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Mom demanded.
    I whirled around. “Baking brownies.”
    â€œI can see that, Molly. Hear all the clanging too. Why, may I ask?” Mom tried to sound angry, but I could tell by the way her lips turned up that she found it kind of funny that I was in my pajamas baking so early.
    â€œToday is Sweets Friday. Not for the whole school. Just our lunch table. Roseann made it up. Every Friday we’re going to bring a sweet snack to share,” I explained as she helped me slide the pan into the oven.
    â€œThat sounds nice.” Mom rummaged in her leather work bag. “You’ve found friends so fast.”
    â€œI did.” I knew Roseann would be happy that I’d remembered she loved chewy brownies. Best friends remembered things like that. “Need this?” I asked, pulling her work ID badge from under a dish towel.
    Mom sighed. “Yes. This house is a mess, and I haveno time. I need to leave for an important early meeting.”
    â€œWhat about me?” I’d been planning on Mom dropping me at school. I could walk, but I was too lazy in the mornings. Plus, today I had the brownies.
    â€œA woman I work with is picking me up. I’m leaving the car for Alex to drive you.” She grabbed a pear from the fruit bowl as a car horn honked. “I woke Alex. Tell him there’s a list of chores on the fridge. He needs to do his, and you need to do yours. Got it?”
    â€œBut Mom—”
    â€œI’m sorry, sweetie. I’ve got to go. Have Alex help you with the oven and remind him to pull up the weeds by the mailbox. It’s weird having grass all over our front yard, isn’t it? Next up is fixing the backyard.” She kissed me on the forehead, then left.
    I stretched out my sore legs as I licked the last of the batter off the spoon. Back home, Mom would brew coffee and have breakfast waiting when we woke. Then she’d drop us at school on her way to work as we listened to her favorite country-western station. Even after Dad moved out, the mornings had stayed the same.
    We’d lost our routine here, I’d realized. I guessed we’d have to find a new one.
    â€œAre you kidding me?” Alex shuffled into the kitchenin jeans and a faded polo shirt. His dark red hair stuck up where he’d slept on it. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
    I pointed to the oven. “I’m baking brownies.”
    â€œNow? I need to get to school to get a parking space. Hurry up and get dressed.”
    â€œWe have plenty of time.” I slid