Izzie saw Ethan in the hallway ahead of her.
She thought he was nicer than the other boys.
She hoped they could be partners at Kids Central Camp one day.
In the gym Mr. Dunn was sitting at a table.
"What's the string for?" Ethan asked.
"Today we're making friendship bracelets," Mr. Dunn said.
"Friendship bracelets," Izzie thought.
"I could make one for—"
"Bracelets are for girls!" said Bobby.
"No, they're not," Ethan said.
"At my school in California everyone wore them."
"Well, my sister and her friends wear friendship bracelets," Bobby said.
"I think they're goofy."
"They are not goofy," Mr. Dunn said.
"They're part of a meaningful tradition."
He looked at Bobby.
"When a friend gives you a bracelet, you should never cut it off.
You wear it for as long as the two of you remain friends."
"I can't wait to make mine!" said Izzie.
"First choose three colors," Mr. Dunn instructed.
"This is pretty."
Izzie reached for a bundle of blue thread.
But her hand bumped into another hand reaching for the same one.
"Sorry," Ethan mumbled. "I'll pick a different one."
"You can choose the same color," Mr. Dunn said.
"Izzie, measure out sixty centimeters, and then give Ethan the thread."
Everyone measured and cut six strands of thread.
Then Mr. Dunn showed them what to do.
"Now tie a knot ten centimeters from one end.
Next tape that end to the table.
After that separate the strands by color.
There should be two strands of each color."
"Now we're ready to weave!" said Nina.
Mr. Dunn nodded. "Start with the strand all the way to the left.
Use it to tie a knot around the string next to it.
Keep going all the way across.
Once you've knotted each string, start again on the left.
Do you understand?" Mr. Dunn asked.
"Yep!" Izzie said.
This looked like it would take a while.
She wanted to finish hers today.
"Weave away! Ask me if you need help," said Mr. Dunn.
"I'm making mine for you," Nina whispered to Izzie.
Izzie looked at her friend and swallowed.
"Thanks." Then she got back to work.
Knot, knot, knot. Knot, knot, knot. Start again.
Finally she was done.
Izzie's hands were cramping and her neck hurt from bending over.
But her bracelet looked great.
"Okay, campers. Time to get out into that sunshine and play some kickball," Mr. Dunn said.
"If you're not done with your bracelets, you can finish them at home," Mr. Dunn added.
He leaned over and looked at Izzie's bracelet.
"Nice job, Izzie," he said.
"You worked hard today."
"Thanks," said Izzie.
She was glad she was finished.
When everything was put away, the kids lined up to go outside.
Izzie was behind Ethan at the end of the line.
She saw Ethan stuff his unfinished bracelet in his pocket.
"Hey, Ethan." Izzie poked his arm.
"I made my bracelet for you.
Will you wear it?" she mumbled.
"Sure. Thanks, that's really nice," he told Izzie.
"Cool." Grinning, Izzie tied the bracelet on his wrist.
Then she ran to the blacktop.
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