Efren Divided Chapter 1 by Ernesto Cisneros

Summary

The video script tells the story of Efren Nava, a young boy who wakes up to a new day in his close-knit family's small apartment. He shares a room and a mattress with his younger siblings, Mia and Max, and is part of a family where both parents work hard to make ends meet. Efren is a thoughtful and caring older brother, who even tries to correct his younger siblings' English. The story highlights the family's simple yet cherished morning routine, with their mother making sopes, a traditional meal, and emphasizing the importance of language and heritage. Efren's day takes a turn when he is allowed to walk to school alone for the first time, symbolizing a step towards independence. Along the way, he interacts with neighbors, including his friend David, who is characterized by his unique style and carefree attitude. The narrative also touches on the community's challenges, such as the presence of law enforcement helicopters, which are a stark reminder of the family's precarious situation in a neighborhood with a reputation for crime. Efren's journey to school is filled with small adventures, from feeding kittens to contemplating bringing guayabas as a gift for his teacher, and ends with a humorous exchange with David about school politics and popularity.

Takeaways

• 😄 Efren Nava, the protagonist, wakes up to his younger brother Max's foot in his face, showing a humorous start to their day.
• 🏡 The family lives in a small apartment with limited space, sharing a mattress and bathroom as their only private space.
• 👂 Efren tries a quirky method to keep his ears from sticking out by taping them to his head, hoping they will eventually 'freeze' into place.
• 📚 Efren loves reading and revisits books like an old friend, finding solace in the story of Bradley Chalkers from 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom'.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Efren's family is close-knit, with his mother, Amma, being a hardworking woman who takes care of her children with love and determination.
• 🍲 Amma prepares sopes, a simple yet cherished meal in their family, reflecting their culture and the joy found in simple pleasures.
• 👮‍♂️ There's a sense of community and shared responsibility, as seen when the neighborhood goes into lockdown mode due to a helicopter overhead.
• 👧👦 Max and Mia, Efren's younger siblings, are full of energy and personality, with Max having a learning disability that the family acknowledges as a 'Milagro'.
• 🏫 Miss Solomon, a beloved teacher, shows concern for her students and is a source of support for Efren's family.
• 🚲 David, Efren's best friend, is an independent and somewhat rebellious character, offering Efren a sense of freedom and camaraderie.
• 👑 David's plan to run for school president is driven by a desire for popularity and to make changes in the school, despite Efren's reservations.
• 👕 Efren values his independence, as shown by his reluctance to wear a helmet or be overly dependent on his mother for getting to school.

Q & A

How does Efren wake up in the beginning of the story?

Efren wakes up with a chubby pajama foot in his face, which he initially mistakes for his sister Mia's, but soon realizes it belongs to his little brother Max.

What does Efren attempt to do to his ears every morning?

Efren tries to tape his ears back against his head in the hope that they will eventually freeze in that position and stop sticking out.

What is Efren's favorite breakfast food?

Efren's favorite breakfast is sopes, which are a type of thick corn tortilla topped with beans and fresh Ranchero cheese.

Why does Efren stay up late at night?

Efren stays up late because he is worried about his father, Ahmad, who has been working overtime hours at the factory and he is also concerned about the news of family separations and raids happening around town.

What is the significance of the helicopter that flies overhead?

The helicopter signifies the presence of law enforcement activity in the neighborhood, which is a source of tension and fear for the family due to the recent talks about raids and family separations.

How does Amma show her care for her children?

Amma shows her care by preparing breakfast for her children, ensuring they are well-dressed and neat before school, and by performing small miracles (mini Milagros) in their daily lives, such as making sopes for them.

What is the reason behind Max's learning difficulties?

Max's learning difficulties are due to the fact that he was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, which led to a lack of oxygen that hurt his brain.

Why does Miss Solomon want Amma's mole recipe?

Miss Solomon wants Amma's mole recipe because she has a date with a doctor and she promised to cook dinner for him. She believes Amma's mole will impress him.

What does David show off to Efren?

David shows off his new fake diamond stud earrings to Efren, which are large enough to cover his entire earlobes.

Why does David suggest that Efren should run for a school position?

David suggests Efren should run for a school position to gain instant popularity, which he believes would give them both more social status and choices among girls.

What is Efren's initial reaction to the idea of running for school president?

Efren is hesitant and not interested in running for school president, as he does not like the idea of extra work and is not into politics.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Morning Family Dynamics

The story begins with Efren waking up to his younger brother Max's foot in his face. The family shares a small apartment where privacy is minimal. Efren's parents are always up early for work, and Efren has a routine of taping his ears to make them appear less prominent. He enjoys reading in the bathtub, but falls asleep there. His mother, Amma, is a hardworking woman who prepares breakfast and takes care of the family, including making sopes from leftover frijoles. The family's dynamic is disrupted by a helicopter overhead, a common occurrence due to neighborhood activities. Efren's parents are protective, and despite the chaos, they maintain a strong sense of community and family.

05:01

🏡 Amma's Care and the School Day's Start

Amma, the mother, is depicted as a nurturing figure who performs small miracles daily, such as making sopes, which are a treat for the children. She emphasizes the importance of bilingualism and takes pride in their heritage. The family's morning continues with the children getting ready for school, and Amma ensures they are well-dressed and prepared. The neighborhood is shown to be close-knit, despite its challenges. The school day begins with a helicopter causing a moment of panic, but it's just passing by. The children's teacher, Miss Solomon, is introduced as a caring figure who interacts warmly with the family. She mentions a small issue with Max hiding under the sink, highlighting his unique characteristics.

10:01

🎒 First Steps to Independence

Efren is granted permission to walk to school alone, a milestone that makes him feel independent. Miss Solomon has nominated the family for a Christmas gift basket as a token of gratitude for their help with a school play. Efren's mother, Amma, declines, suggesting another family should benefit this year. Miss Solomon then asks Amma for her mole recipe for a date. Efren is excited about walking to school alone but chooses to walk instead of biking due to not wanting to wear his helmet. He appreciates the community on Highland Street, where people share what they have despite their limited means. Efren is momentarily distracted by a guayaba tree and a litter of kittens in a tree, showing his connection to the neighborhood's nature.

15:03

🚴‍♂️ Riding with David and School Politics

Efren's friend David, with his distinctive style, offers Efren a ride to school on his bike. They share a playful interaction about David's daring to ride with Concha, a girl from their neighborhood. David suggests Efren should run for a school position, but Efren is not interested in politics. Instead, he is content with the newfound freedom of walking to school by himself. David tries to convince Efren to join him in a meeting for potential student government candidates, and Efren reluctantly agrees, showing the depth of their friendship. The paragraph ends with Efren reflecting on the independence and popularity that comes with being a bit older and navigating the social dynamics of school.

Keywords

💡Family Dynamics

Family dynamics refer to the interactions, roles, and relationships within a family unit. In the script, the family dynamics are central to the story, showcasing the close-knit relationship between Efren, his siblings Max and Mia, and their mother, Amma. The family's interactions, such as Amma's care in making breakfast and Efren's concern for his brother Max, highlight the theme of family support and love.

💡Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status is a measure of a family's economic and social position based on income, education, and occupation. The script illustrates the family's socioeconomic status through references to their living conditions, such as sharing a mattress and the mother's long working hours. Despite their circumstances, the family exhibits resilience and creativity in making do with what they have, exemplified by Amma making sopes from leftover frijoles.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a cultural group, which can be based on factors like language, traditions, and beliefs. The script emphasizes cultural identity through the family's use of Spanish, their traditional food like sopes, and the mother's insistence on the importance of language and heritage, which is a significant part of their identity and the video's theme of preserving one's roots.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and to overcome obstacles. The video portrays the family's resilience in the face of adversity, such as the mother's hard work and the children's adaptation to their living situation. Efren's attempts to reshape his ears to avoid teasing at school also demonstrate a form of personal resilience.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people living in the same area or having common interests. The script showcases a strong sense of community on Highland Street, where despite the challenges, neighbors share and look out for each other. This is evident in the shared enjoyment of fruit trees and the interactions between the characters, which contribute to the video's message of unity and mutual support.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. In the script, education is important as it is portrayed as a means of personal growth and a way to improve one's circumstances. The mother's encouragement for the children to learn English and the emphasis on school reflect the family's and the community's value on education.

💡Independence

Independence is the state of being self-sufficient and able to make one's own decisions. The video script highlights the theme of independence as Efren is allowed to walk to school by himself for the first time, which is a milestone in his journey to becoming more self-reliant. This newfound independence is a key moment in the narrative, symbolizing Efren's growth.

💡Sibling Relationship

Sibling relationships refer to the bond between brothers and sisters. The script explores the dynamics between Efren, Max, and Mia, showing both the playful and the caring aspects of their relationship. Max's special needs and the family's support for him add depth to the sibling bond, illustrating the video's theme of love and support within families.

💡Hardship

Hardship is a difficult or trying period in one's life. The family in the script faces various hardships, including financial constraints and the challenges of living in a neighborhood with safety concerns. The way the family copes with these hardships, such as the mother's resourcefulness and the children's adaptability, is central to the video's narrative.

💡Growth and Development

Growth and development refer to the process of maturing or becoming more advanced. The video script follows Efren's personal growth, from dealing with his self-consciousness about his ears to taking on more responsibility and independence. Max's development, despite his challenges, is also a key element, showing the family's commitment to his well-being.

💡Friendship

Friendship is a close and supportive relationship between two people. The script portrays the friendship between Efren and David, highlighting the importance of companionship and mutual support. David's influence and their shared experiences, such as riding to school together, contribute to the video's exploration of camaraderie and personal development through relationships.

Highlights

Efren wakes up to his brother Max's foot in his face, reflecting the close family dynamics and humorous interactions.

Efren's concern for his younger brother Max, who has developmental challenges, reveals a deep sense of family responsibility and empathy.

The family's morning routine, including Amma's preparation of sopes, showcases cultural traditions and the importance of family meals.

Efren's attempt to change the appearance of his ears using tape demonstrates his self-consciousness and desire to fit in.

Efren's love for reading and his connection to the character Bradley Chalkers highlight his imagination and the role of literature in his life.

The community's response to a helicopter overhead, including Amma's protective actions, illustrates the impact of external threats on their daily life.

Efren's decision to walk to school alone symbolizes his growing independence and maturity.

Miss Solomon's character adds a layer of warmth and stability to the children's lives, as shown by her interactions with Efren and his siblings.

Efren's consideration of bringing a gift for his teacher reflects his thoughtful nature and the cultural value of showing appreciation.

David's unique style and the nickname 'Perakito Blanco' highlight the theme of individuality and the challenges of fitting in.

The bond between Efren and David, despite their differences, underscores the importance of friendship and acceptance.

David's plan to run for school president and his reasoning show his ambition, creativity, and the influence of peer dynamics on decision-making.

Efren's reluctance to engage in school politics reflects his personal values and priorities, differentiating him from his friend David.

The description of Highland Street captures the essence of community life, where despite hardships, there is a sense of sharing and looking out for each other.

Amma's resourcefulness, such as making a cactus taco, exemplifies the family's resilience and the creative ways they make ends meet.

The narrative's portrayal of Efren's family life provides insight into the challenges and joys of a lower-income household.

Efren's moment of independence, choosing to walk to school alone, is a pivotal moment in his journey towards self-reliance.

Transcripts

I'm going to read ephrine divided by

Ernesto Cisneros

chapter one

once again Efren Nava woke up to a

chubby pajama foot in his face he

squinted at the bright yellow Rays

peeking in through the wind broken

window blinds and looked to his left but

it wasn't Mia's foot she was fast asleep

cuddled at the edge of their mattress

with the same naked plush doll whose

clothes she'd taken off and lost a long

time ago

he looked to his right sure enough the

foot belonged to Max how Max managed to

roll over Efren during the middle of the

night was beyond him Efren shook his

head inside but when he caught sight of

the tiny hole on the right foot of his

little brother's flannel onesie smiling

Efren licked the tip of his pinky and

gave a wet willy to Max's pajito

that friend covered his mouth and

stifled his laughter as a sleeping Max

pulled away his leg however the victory

didn't last long Max spun around in his

sleep and planted his other foot in

efren's face there was no way to win

Efren yawned himself fully awake before

turning toward his parents side of the

room once again APPA was gone no sign of

his heavy jacket or scuffed up work

boots by the front door either it seemed

no matter how early Efren tried getting

up he just couldn't catch up a pod

getting ready for work AMA was the same

way and never slept in any minute now

she'd wake up unwrap her blankets and go

right to the kitchen to make breakfast

there was a pot full of leftover

Frijoles from last night's dinner and

that meant she would be she would for

sure be making a fresh soap base this

morning efren's favorite but before that

Efren had something important to do he

lifted Max leg by the pajamas and got up

careful not to disturb Mia who now

snuggled close to Max

my friend stepped over the pair of pint

sign leg pint-sized legs and arms

blocking his path he wasn't sure which

was worse sharing a mattress with two

kindergarteners or sharing this sharing

the bathroom

their apartment was really one big room

so the only place they could find peace

and quiet was the bathroom Efren looked

in the mirror wincing as he removed the

tiny strips of tape pending his ears

back against the sides of his head an

idea he came up with after repeatedly

hearing Amma were in the little ones

against making funny faces

she'd say their face is freezing that's

exactly what Efren counted on it was

only a theory but if it were all even

slightly true he get he he guessed the

same would apply to his ears if he could

manage to take back his ears often

enough they too would eventually freeze

and finally stop sticking out all he

would all he had to do was make sure

they folded in just the right way for a

couple more weeks and Presto normal ears

that didn't stick out like the knobs on

Frankenstein's neck

after taking care of business Efren

climbed inside the empty bathtub with a

library copy of there's a boy in the

girl's bathroom by one of his favorite

authors Louis Sachar Efren loved reading

books even when he'd read them before it

was like visiting an old friend the main

character Bradley chalkers was the best

and it wasn't just that he had a really

sweet side to him that his classmates

didn't get to see nope the boy was super

tough and no matter how rough things got

for him he continued to show up and

fight like efren's best friend David

another misunderstood kid some kids at

school only saw this white kid who likes

to dress flashy and flaunt his latest

piece of jewelry but ephra knew the real

David the same boy who once took off the

sweatshirt he was wearing and donated it

for a clothing Drive in the neighborhood

normally Efren would lie in the tub

reading and laughing until a stampede of

feet came running toward the door but

this morning his eyelids were extra

heavy and the need for sleep was too

powerful he couldn't fight it not after

staying up so late waiting waiting for

Ahmad to return from working overtime

hours at the factory for the last couple

of weeks there had been a whole lot of

talk a whole lot of cheese May

especially around the laundromat about

various raids and stop points happening

around town Efren tried not thinking

about what he'd seen on the news all the

stories about families being separated

kids put in cages but that was easier

said than done Efren couldn't help but

worry despite numerous lectures from

Omaha and repeated threats of being on

the receiving end of her chancla he

stayed up really late until she got home

he'd done the best he could to piece

together the information he heard but it

wasn't easy it seemed like any time he

caught adults talking about it someone

in the room would nods toward him and

the topic would shift to something else

usually the finite moments of the

previous night's Telenovela after an

unplanned nap in the tub Efren heard

rattling in the kitchen and headed over

by the stove stood Amma wearing her

fuzzy blue robe that according to Max

made her look like the Cookie Monster

Efren stood and admired how easily Amma

formed perfect little saucers from the

doughy Masa de mais and then pinched the

steaming edges to form a tiny wall to

keep the beans from seeping off

her hands were tough and hummingbird

fast as she tested the griddle's

temperature by touching it with her bare

fingers how did she manage not to burn

herself Efren wondered I must sopes were

delicious and even though they weren't

much more than a thick corn tortilla

topped with beans and fresh Ranchero

cheese Efren didn't think of them as a

poor man's meal to him to Max to Mia

they were a special treat just one of

the mini Milagros Amma performed on a

daily basis something super super soap

based soapers

that made a ma supper woman Efren

laughed to himself the word fit her

perfectly before long Max and Mio were

up and climbed onto their usual seats at

the table sopes they turned to each

other and spring out into song Frijoles

Frijoles

Efren shook his head you guys should be

practicing your English my fifth grade

teacher Mrs O'Neill used to say that's

the only way to master the language

set the breakfast spread on the kitchen

table her exhausted eyes creasing as she

smiled mijo most of the world speaks

more than one language and Spanish is a

part of who we are she moved toward

Efren and ruffled his hair you'll

understand when you're older Max and Mia

reached in first each picking up a bean

and cheese topped sope

and I the last one while ma filled the

glasses with chilled orange juice ma

where is yours I am a cup of cafecito is

all I need Efren stomach grumbled but it

was his heart giving the orders

um why don't you take mine I can have

breakfast at school anyway there's no

point letting all that school food go to

waste and have them think I can't

provide for my own children no gracias

Efren and Harold I am uh he said knowing

that she was simply being well Amma

she pulled up a note bottle she'd cut

yesterday from the cactus plant peeking

over the neighbor's fence and matter of

factly scraped off the Thorns with a

knife then she held it over the stove

top bare-handed when it was well roasted

she scooped up the remainder of the

beans with a wooden spoon and created a

sort of cactus Taco see I'm fine she

said taking a bite Being Sober woman

wasn't just about checking teeth

flattening down cowlicks and making sure

Max were only one pair of underwear at a

time it included making sure that

everyone wore perfectly creased pants

and that any Halls made the day before

were creatively sewn or patched over

it's one thing to not have a lot of

money Amma reminded them just about

every morning it's another to look the

part of all the things Amma did this

baffled effort the most How could a

person who sometimes spent 70 plus hours

a week locked in the factory behind a

steaming iron go anywhere near one at

home then again this probably explained

her talent for bare-handedly flipping

tortillas and carrying them to the table

without even a wins okay mihos time to

get ready for school everyone knew the

drill put on the clothes neatly laid out

last night by Emma brush teeth comb hair

and then grab backpack with lunch inside

Amma was about to hand out well done

kisses when out of nowhere a helicopter

hovered and roared uncomfortably close

overhead a ma waved a fist ah this is

the second time in three weeks

unfortunately sometimes the nighttime

activities from our the neighborhood

carried over into the daytime hours Home

raids car chases and suspects at large

were all as familiar as palatero trucks

selling ice cream bars out of out of

outside of church

I'm on March to the front door and lock

the metal screen going into lockdown

mode Max and Mia shut and locked the

sliding glass door on the back of the

apartment before Amma could even ask no

one spoke a word listening for screaming

Sirens or Worse gunfire

um I peeked through the layered curtains

she'd sewn together last spring it was

just passing by

ma had barely unlocked the door before

the twins rushed past her and ran

outside ninos don't run down the stairs

she turned to Efren who was busy

strapping on his backpack what am I

going to do with those two adoption I'm

up playfully slapped at the back of his

head before stepping outside the twins

waited by Don Ricardo's food truck

parked curbside can we get some chetos

Efren rolled his eyes guys for the last

time they're called Cheetos I must

smiled and waved off Don Ricardo or Don

Tapatio as most of the neighborhood

called him because of the huge mustache

in sombrero that he wore no gracias she

said Escuela

Don Ricardo smile return the smile and

Nod it as she steered the twins Away by

their arms if you are good she added I'm

on ephrine followed the twins into the

kindergarten playground even though the

school was only a Sprint away Amman

never let them go alone not even Ephraim

whose Middle School was only blocks away

between the swings and patch of dirt

used for playing marbles Max and Mia

Bear hugged their favorite teacher Miss

Solomon she was an older lady dressed in

a gray business suit and chasing

clashing white sneakers eventually they

let her go and ran off to play on the

jungle gym Amma approached the teacher

for a hug herself Senora Nava Miss

Solomon asked

excellente Maestra excellente Miss

Solomon turned to Efren and you senorito

are getting almost too big to hug almost

she leaned in and hugged them too even

when the with the air inside him being

squeezed out Efren continued to smile

Miss Solomon paused to examine him once

more I can't believe how big you're

getting reminds me of how old I'm

getting you're not Old Miss Solomon

Efron answered you look exactly the same

as when you taught me and of course that

made her laugh buenos dias

how have my little ones been behaving

Miss Solomon turned and scrunched her

lips to one side just one tiny problema

she said following with a short chuckle

yesterday Max decided to hide underneath

the sink and Mia would not stop crying

until we found him that was typical Max

unlike Mia Max was born with his

umbilical cord wrapped around his neck

sadly all the minutes max went went

without oxygen hurt his brain made it

hard for him to learn something he would

have to deal with all of his life Hamas

said it was a Milagro that he survived

at all Efren couldn't help but wonder

what Max would have been like had the

doctors caught the problem in time yeah

it's amazing how much Mio worries of

about him I think it's super sweet

suddenly Miss Solomon's face lit up oh

before I forget I already submitted your

name for this year's Christmas gift

baskets I know it's still November but I

wanted to make sure that you were

included especially after all the help

you gave me putting together the

costumes for last month last month's

play gracias Maestra but we already got

our turn it's best if somebody else gets

it this year Miss Solomon pressed her

lips together

oh all right she said but I do have a

favor to ask Miss Solomon after

everything that you have done for my

children no favor is too big consider it

done well she leaned in closer to Emma I

have a date he's really cute she said

giddy with excitement Efren made a face

and turned toward the playground and

he's a doctor she added I promised to

cook dinner for him and was hoping to

get the recipe for that fabulous mole

you make I might turn to Efren Efren

mijo you've been asking me for weeks now

how would you feel about walking to

school by yourself solo he asked solito

she added efren's fist pump the air and

shuffled his feet in a celebratory dance

can I go home and pick up my bike only

if you take your helmet he scowled up

the thought of showing up to school

wearing the turo shaped helmet Amma

bought him from the swap meet no thanks

I'll walk instead with that Efren darted

past a portable classroom by the

kindergarten side of the of the campus

and onto Highland Street he passed

donia's lime colored Plex and pause to

look at her guayaba tree where he

scanned the branches guayabas were his

favorite but that wasn't the kind of

fruit he could picture into any of his

teachers eating he figured teachers

wouldn't accept anything coming from

grubby kid hands unless it came with a

thick peel guayabas were definitely out

that was the thing about Highland Street

some people just saw the Warren

apartments and graffiti tagged walls but

it offered good things too like the

fruit trees as far as the eye could see

according to Amai had to do with people

her age being used to Growing their own

fruit

that was one of the beautiful things

about walking this street even though

people on the Block didn't have much

everyone still shared and looked out for

each other Efren strolled a bit further

stopping at the apartment complex

sandwiched in the middle of the block up

high in an avocado tree a litter of

black kittens competed for his attention

hey kitties you guys might be cute but

I'm allergic to you only the kittens

didn't pay any mind to what he said and

continued looking down at him and

purring in their Kitty language no it's

not going to work I have to get going or

I'm going to be late for school so stop

it I don't care how cute you are

a few minutes later Efren found himself

with red itchy eyes sitting up in the

branches with two kitties nestled on his

lap that's when a familiar whistle

caught his attention Efren looked down

sure enough it was David on his bike

even though he was the only white kid

living on this block it wasn't his skin

color that made him stand out it was his

hip-hop style Kids on the Block called

him out of perakito Blanco because of

the bright colors and baggy oversized

clothes he wore that and his parrot-like

nose it's been this way since he moved

into the neighborhood it'd been this way

Efron carefully handed out handed off

the kittens to David and climbed on down

what you doing up there asked David

needing the kitten's backs I was going

to take some avocados to my teachers but

they're still kind of hard they look

like grenades have you ever held a real

grenade that friend scratched the top of

the tip of his nose not a real one you

no David pointed to his ears how about

real diamonds though Efren leaned in for

a closer look man he exclaimed sweet

earrings David smiled showing off his

new fake diamond stud earrings large

enough to cover his entire earlobes yeah

they're real too effort leaned in closer

real fake you mean David crumpled his

forehead no way not these Don Tapatio

wouldn't have charged me 10 bucks if

they were fake he pointed at his ear

Porto bling bling he said with a grin

well they're way cool you know what

David surveyed the street Dude where's

your mom I know right David surveyed the

street Dude where's your mom Efren

Shrugged oh I finally complain and told

her that I'm too old to be walked to

school David Scott yeah right you're

probably you you probably begged her huh

yeah pretty much hey want to ride sure

Efren jumped onto the handlebars and

held on tight initially the bike swayed

back and forth but it eventually

straightened as David made it onto the

side of the street you sure you can

handle my weight Efren asked of course I

gave Concha a ride the other day and

she's not all bony like you Efren

laughed yep David continued she barely

squeezed between the handlebars her mom

would have a cow if she'd known they'd

been riding together like that as much

as she liked David she didn't quite

understand him said she couldn't get why

a boy would dye his hair different

colors each month or why I insisted on

saginas pants so low that she always

knew the exact pattern of his boxer

shorts once she even threatened to throw

away all of efren's underwear if he ever

tried something like that and even

though she was smiling when she said it

Efren knew better than to risk it

today though Efren felt like a real life

celebrity strutting his stuff down the

red carpet he sat upright waving at all

the elementary school kids still being

escorted by their overly protective

mothers that's right world eat your

heart out

for once he knew what it was like to be

independent like David and all the time

Efren had known David he had never seen

anyone calling him inside when it got

late never saw anyone coming out to the

playground to see if he needed a sweater

or hassle him for not keeping his shirt

tucked all the way into his pants

when the duo reached the school David

stopped at the bike rack where the

school security guard rabbit was

standing at least that's what kids

called him they thought it was a clever

name for the old man who was so slow

that a tortoise could outrace him Efren

hopped off the bike and untucked his

shirt so what's up with you you usually

get here right before the late Bell

simple you were looking at this year's

this year's new ASB president ASB

associate something I don't know point

is I'm gonna run for school president I

know I'm only a seventh grader but so is

Jennifer Huerta and she's the only other

person running she's such a teacher's

pet there's no way I'm going to lose to

her

you do know that's a bunch of extra work

right I know but the way I figure once I

win I can pass a new rule for the vice

president to have to do all that stuff

Efron crinkled his forehead dude I don't

think that's how it works of course not

that's why I'm running to fix it you

know what you should run for office too

but then I'd have to do all your work or

you could be treasure he slid his

fingers over his palm as if peeling a

potato it's going to rain money for sure

and you'll be in charge of it all dude

we're talking Millions Efron took his

head I don't know about that besides I'm

not really into politics forget politics

I'm talking instant popularity by next

year we'll both have our pick of girls

so that's what this is this is about

David when all puppy-eyed a look Efren

had seen plenty of times before nah no

thanks fine said David but will you at

least go with me to the candidates

meeting Efren knew all too well how

horribly wrong most of David's plans

usually went still he couldn't say no to

his best friend all right but you owe me

duh dude that's how politics work