In the afternoon, storm clouds let loose with a quick little rain. By the time PE started, the sky sparkled with light. The dark clouds made the new leaves look extra green, the stucco walls of the school pinker. Stepping onto the wet grass, Mina found herself looking forward to running. Then a cloud covered the sun and she shivered. The cloud moved and the sun shone. The arc of a rainbow appeared. Mina stretched, raising both arms high into the freshly washed air.

When Coach blew the whistle, Mina jetted forward. She dashed over the wet grass, the clouds overhead, the rainbow shining, each precious instant pushing her onward: one-two-three-four-five-six . At the last second, Mina sensed Ruth next to her and turned to look. The look slowed her just the teeniest bit. When she arrived at the white stripe, Coach shouted, "Tie!" He held up Mina's arm and Ruth's. Ruth stared at Mina, her mouth open as she panted for breath. Mina had once heard a strange word: unquiet. It meant more than "not quiet.

" It meant deeply uneasy. She was unquiet now, with Ruth staring at her, looking as though she'd come home to find her house flattened by a dust devil. Coach dropped their arms and patted Mina on the back. "Congratulations. Don't look so surprised, Mina." Ruth held out her hand. "Congratulations." But she didn't look Mina in the eye.

__________________ MOON RUNNER by Carolyn Marsden. Copyright (c) 2005 by Carolyn Marsden. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.