Earthling Ambassador (Space Brigade 1)

Nicola opened her eyes and blinked.What a funny question.

She thought about her mom when she made her mind up that it was Nicola's turn to clean the bathroom, even though outside it was the most beautiful sunny day in the history of the world. Had Nicola ever convinced her to change her mind? No.

She thought about her dad when he made up his mind to watch some boring documentary about rock music from the 1970s, even though Nicola knew he would be snoring on the couch by the time it finished. Had she ever convinced him to change the channel? No.

She thought about her brother, Sean, when he made up his mind to use the computer at the exact moment she was about to use it. Had she ever--even just once--convinced him to let her use it first?

Never.

Not once.

Nicola had never convinced somebody to change their mind when their mind was already made up. Her answer was no. She'd have to sit down.

"Shall I repeat the question?" asked Georgio.

So she wasn't the Earthling Ambassador. Of course she wasn't. She should never have thought she could be. It was just so disappointing to have come this close.

I am . . . bereft, she thought to herself. (She'd been looking for a chance to use the word bereft--meaning very, very sad--for ages. It was good to finally have the opportunity.)

I will NOT cry, she thought. No matter how bereft I feel.

Courageously, she lifted her chin. "My answer is--"

"I do beg your pardon!" Georgio hastily flipped the pages of his giant notebook while feverishly scratching his chin. "I think that question may have been an error.Yes! It was an error! How unusually clumsy of me!"

A confused murmur rippled through the classroom.

"The correct tenth question is this--are you wearing something red in your hair?"

Nicola's heart, which had been inflated with hope for a second, again dropped like a stone. Doubly bereft! Of course she wasn't wearing anything red in her hair. In fact, she never wore anything in her hair--hey, wait a minute!-- EXCEPT FOR TODAY!

While she was eating her breakfast that morning, her mother had said, "Why don't you ever wear that pretty butterfly clip Nana gave you?" And she'd picked up the clip from where Nicola had left it lying on the coffee table, pinned it to Nicola's hair, and said, "There! That looks so pretty and it keeps the hair out of your eyes!"Truth be told, Nicola didn't really like the clip all that much and had meant to take it out before she left for school, but she'd forgotten.

"And your answer is?" asked Georgio.

"My answer is YES!" Nicola pulled the butterfly clip from her hair triumphantly and held it up high.

Georgio performed an extremely strange little jig on his knees (which must have hurt), flapping his arms like a chicken and slapping his hands against his thighs. "WHOOPEEEE! I've finally found the Earthling Ambassador. It's YOU, Nicola Berry! It's YOU!"

CHAPTER 5

I can't be the Earthling Ambassador, thought Nicola. It's a mistake. In a minute they'll realize it's a mistake and then everyone will laugh at me!

The first time she'd been on the Demon roller-coaster ride had been terrifying and exciting all at the same time. That was how she felt now, except she wasn't screaming, of course, she was just smiling so hard her face hurt.

Both Nicola and Greta supporters were clapping and cheering. Greta had fainted when she heard Nicola was the Earthling Ambassador and was lying on the floor, one hand to her forehead, demanding someone bring her a glass of lemonade.The other kids were pretending not to hear, stepping over her to get to Nicola. All the girls were bunched around Nicola in a big circle, trying to hug her, while the boys were shaking her hand and giving her friendly punches on the shoulder.

"Good one, Nic!" said Bruno.

"Ow! Thanks, Bruno."

"You've always been my best friend!" said Lizbeth-Ann.

"I have not." Nicola rolled her eyes at Katie, whose face was still flushed with excitement.

"Congratulations, Nicola," said Tyler seriously. "I knew you'd beat Greta."

Even though he must have been so jealous, he was still being nice. Nicola was impressed. She didn't know if she could have been that mature if Tyler had gotten something she'd really wanted.