Page 73 - Girls’ World (January 2020)

“C’mon!” Megan called out as she threw on her coat. “Let’s
get out there!”

Who pushed Ellie
Ellie begrudgingly grabbed her bag and headed outside. She
helped Megan and the other kids pile up snow at the bottom
down the slide?
of the slide. When they were all done, Ellie took a step back
to evaluate their work. She was surprised by how much fun it At first, Ellie thought Jessica pushed her.

actually looked. Maybe sliding down the slide and into the snow She quickly ruled that out, though, because

wonÕt be so bad? she thought optimistically.
Before she knew it, Ellie was waiting in line next to Megan. Jessica was standing too far behind her. So

“I’m so excited to go down,” Megan beamed as they slowly she waited until Megan slid down the slide
made their way to the top of the slide. “The snow at the bottom after her so she could ask her BFF if she saw

looks like a big, fluffy cushion!” anything. When Megan made it down, she
Ellie decided to look down at the ground to see what Megan revealed she was the one who pushed Ellie!

was talking about. Big mistake. Now that they were almost to Megan explained that she saw how

the top, she realized just how high up they were. Ellie started to nervous Ellie was and knew Ellie wouldn’t
feel woozy. go down herself, so she helped make the

“What’s the matter?” Ellie, who’s face had gotten pale, heard decision for her. Megan apologized to Ellie
from behind her. She turned to see Jessica standing three for pushing her, realizing she took things

people behind her. “You look like you’re gonna throw up!” too far. Ellie forgave her immediately. She
“I might,” Ellie mumbled. appreciated that Megan gave her the push

“It’s not that bad, Ellie,” Megan reassured her. she needed (literally!) to face her fears. In the
“Yeah, even my sister has gone down it before, and she’s only end, Ellie loved the snowy slide so much fun

in the first grade,” Jessica added. that she suggested they go down again!
“Not helping!” Ellie told them in a panicked voice as she and

Megan approached the top. They were up next.

Ellie’s mind began swirling. She desperately tried to think of
how to get back down. She glanced behind her and saw the long

line of kids she’d have to try to pass if she climbed back down.
She was stuck.

“Hurry up!” someone from the bottom of the steps called up.
“We’ve been waiting forever!

“Keep it down,” Megan yelled at the kid. “You can do it, El!”

Ellie was on the brink of tears. But before she had another
second to think, she felt a strong push in the center of her back.

Ellie went flying down the slide.
“Ahhhhhhhh!” she yelled out as she slid to the bottom.

In a matter of a few seconds, Ellie was in the big pile of snow.
It took her a few moments to realize she had actually gone down

the slide … and she had survived!

But Ellie’s excitement quickly turned
into confusion. She remembered
feeling a firm hand on her back.

Someone definitely pushed

her down the scary slide —
but who?!

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