My first shift book 1#

twenty eight

## Ace

As I got up to get ready for school, I already felt really tired. My whole body felt weird, and I didn't feel very good. My stomach felt funny, and I just wanted to go back to bed. But I knew I had school, so I got dressed anyway.

I went downstairs and packed my lunch before making myself something small to eat. I hoped eating would help me feel better.

Just then Dad came downstairs. He was already dressed for the day.

"Morning, buddy," he smiled.

"Morning," I said quietly.

Dad looked at me for a second.

"You okay?"

"I think so."

He grabbed his coffee before looking back at me.

"Want to ride Thunder to school today? I'll ride Dex."

I smiled a little.

"Yeah."

Then I thought about Jade.

"Will Jade be home tonight?"

Dad looked at me and smiled.

"She should be. I'll text her today and make sure she's home tonight. Don't worry, bud."

"I hope so."

I missed her a lot.

Whenever I wasn't feeling good, Jade always knew how to make me feel better. She'd sit with me, watch movies, or make me laugh until I forgot I felt sick.

After breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and followed Dad outside.

The morning air was cool as we walked to the barn.

I went over to Thunder.

"Morning, boy."

Thunder softly nudged my shoulder.

I smiled and rubbed his nose before getting his tack ready.

Dad already had Dex saddled.

"You ready?" Dad asked.

"Yep."

A few minutes later we climbed into our saddles and started riding toward my school.

The ride was nice and quiet.

Birds were singing, and the sun was just starting to warm everything up.

After a while, Dad looked over at me.

"You've been awfully quiet."

I shrugged.

"I just feel really tired."

He frowned.

"What else?"

"My whole body feels kind of sick... like something isn't right."

Dad looked a little worried.

"I hope you're not coming down with something."

"I hope not."

I looked down at Thunder's mane.

"I miss Jade."

"I know you do."

"When I'm sick, she always knows how to make me feel better."

Dad smiled softly.

"She'll be home tonight."

"I hope so."

Before long we reached my school.

I climbed off Thunder and handed Dad the reins.

"See you after school."

"Have a good day, buddy."

"You too."

I gave Thunder one more pat before grabbing my backpack.

"Bye, boy."

Then I waved at Dad and walked into the school.

It was only 8:00, so I still had fifteen minutes before class started.

I went into my classroom and sat down with my new friends. We talked about video games, horses, and what we did over the weekend while we waited for our teacher.

I was in Grade 5, and our teacher, Miss Candy, was really nice. Sometimes she was a little late because the office needed her, but she always made learning fun. If we finished our work early, she usually let us have some free time.

A few minutes later she walked into the classroom.

"Good morning, class! Sorry I was late. The office needed me, but I'm here now."

Everyone smiled.

"Today we're going to read our books for a little while. After that, you'll get into groups and tell everyone what your book is about and why you picked it."

She wrote the next activity on the board.

"Then I'd like everyone to make a list of things you didn't like about your book and share them with the class. After that, we'll get back into our math groups."

Everyone took out their books.

The book I was reading was about a boy who had the power to turn back time. I thought it was really cool. If I had that power, maybe I'd use it to go back and spend even more time with Jade before she left.

As I kept reading, I realized something.

I didn't really dislike anything about the book.

I raised my hand.

"Yes, Ace?" Miss Candy asked.

"Can I make a list of the things I like about my book instead? I can't really think of anything I don't like."

She smiled.

"Of course you can."

"Thanks."

I grabbed my pencil and started writing all the things I liked about the story.

Even though I was trying my best to pay attention, I still couldn't stop thinking about Jade.

*"Please come home tonight,"* I thought.

*"I really miss you."*