Marigold by Heather Manheim (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

Davis smoothed down her tunic. It was the first time putting on her official clothing since taking it off early on at the bunker. It had been laundered, which was great; otherwise, it would be dirty and smelly. Davis now viewed it as an outfit of lies and not the Everett Center tunic and jodhpurs that once made her prideful. After going back to her room, she put the clothes she borrowed and the sheets from her bed folded up on the end of the mattress. Davis supposed there was no need to fold them if somebody was going to launder them. But, not wanting to be rude and not having time to clean everything herself, she assumed it was the best option. Never having had to deal with something like this before, it seemed to be the right thing.

After she straightened up the room, she headed to the dining hall to eat breakfast and say her goodbyes. Everything seemed so odd to her, as if she was walking in slow motion. Her stomach felt funny, and she felt light-headed. She stopped momentarily in the hallway before reaching the dining room to lean up against the wall and take a deep breath. Davis kept thinking about what it had said in the letter from her mom, Even if we are not here when you need us, from the Heavens, you will have a whole legion of people you can rely on to help you. You are my Little Marigold. She said a quick prayer, something she was only familiar with on occasion, as she forgot to do it a lot or sometimes didn’t know what to say. But she asked God and her family to support her and give her strength. To look after her and help her get through this. Taking another deep breath and opening her eyes, she then carried on to the dining room.

Davis walked in, and everyone was there besides Duffy, Hernandez, and Namaguchi. She would see them on the other side as they had already gone into the city to report for their regular work duty and prepare things on their end. But even Cricket had come by to send her off. She felt love and friendship like she never had before. A choke rose in her throat, and she had to fight back the tears. Davis hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to say goodbye.

As they sat to eat breakfast, there was minimal conversation. Not much eating, either. However, everyone was doing a great job of nibbling and pushing food around with forks. Davis tried hard to eat; she didn’t relish the idea of going back to nutrition biscuits, and she didn’t know if she would ever get a salad, potato, or strawberry again. But, a persistent lump in her throat prevented her from really eating anything.

After everyone finished, Davis started nervously to clear the table. Ana quickly stopped her and told her not to worry; they would take care of that later. What Ana hadn’t realized was Davis needed to channel the nervous energy and delay the goodbyes. Time was growing short, and she had to repeat her silent prayer to keep her feet going.

Nothing could stop time, and finally, it was time to say goodbye. Davis hugged all the kids first and realized she hadn’t gotten to know them well, which she now regretted. She supposed there had not been enough time, even though she had been there for quite a while. It all seemed like constant information overload. Olivia shook her hand after the hug and wished her good luck, which touched Davis’s heart even more.

She then shook Ringo’s hand, thanked him for everything, and gave Audrey a slight side hug and a quick thank you. She realized she hadn’t gotten to know Audrey as well either, and again it saddened her. Davis thought perhaps she could suggest waiting a few more days to get more acquainted with everyone. She barely had time to think about it, though, because Cricket suddenly grabbed her and took her into a big bear hug, even lifting Davis’s feet off the floor a little bit. “We’re gonna miss you!” boomed Cricket.

Josie came up shyly, which surprised Davis since Josie didn’t seem like the shy type. Davis quickly realized that Josie was another person she didn’t know all that well. Davis assumed the shyness Josie exhibited was merely feeling as Davis did, that they were acquainted but not bonded like some of the others in the bunker.

Ana gave Davis a slight hug and then surprised her as Ana backed away and put both of her hands on the sides of Davis’s face, then leaned in, lightly resting her forehead against Davis’s. It made Davis feel loved and mothered like never before. Tears again began to spring in Davis’s eyes, and she saw they had in Ana’s too.

Even Buster came to say goodbye, weaving in and out of Davis’s legs. Davis leaned down to give him a pet and few scratches behind the ear. Buster repaid her courtesy with an energetic bump of his head against her hand and a gentle mew followed by rumbling purrs.

Last was Quinn. She would be the hardest for Davis to say goodbye to. From the second this adventure had started; Quinn had been there. From day one. And while Davis had not always liked her, especially in the beginning, they had become friends, and Davis felt like she was the closest thing she would ever have to a sister. “Thank you, Quinn…for everything,” she whispered as they hugged tightly and warmly. “I never had a sister, but I imagine if I had one, she would be like you.” With that, Davis had to pull away and pat her eyes dry quickly; luckily, she had the forethought to bring a tissue with her to breakfast. Drying her eyes, she reflected a second on the craziness of it. As far as