by Anne Kalicky
We swung our pillows at each other, as well as the sheets and anything else we could find.
We were cracking up, and when Anthony came to see what all the commotion was about, he took a pillow to the face too. Afterward, we took a little trip to Montlardons to buy some souvenirs for our families.
In the clearing, behind the Champ Camp buildings, we spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the party zone. We hung tinsel, flags, and paper lanterns. Gerald got everything ready for a bonfire. Anthony and Kader handled the sound system. Around seven o’clock, we went back to our rooms to “spruce ourselves up”—even though you’ve got to admit, dear future human, I never have to do much, thanks to my natural charm.
We put on our Champ Camp shirts but left the hats in our bags. I mean, let’s not push it! No way we’re going to look dumb for the big party. Aldo even lent us his hair gel and body spray, so much so that we all ended up looking a little bit like him, except for one thing: he put on an earring.
We met up with the girls, who’d all put flowers in their hair. Clara had a little makeup on. She looked really pretty. Lola had gone a little overboard, but Aldo seemed to like it. We pigged out on hotdogs and s’mores cooked over the fire. Gerald played some guitar, and we sang the camp song.
Then Anthony and Kader put on the music, and we started dancing. Aldo hit the makeshift dance floor with Lola. Valentin grabbed Lou’s hand. Nico got up with Coline, and I’m pretty sure Anthony, the counselor, went out with Caroline . . . the counselor.
Clara and I were sitting right next to each other on a log. I suggested we go take a little walk, past the clearing. First I apologized for avoiding her a little during camp. I told her I really did think she was sweet and totally gorgeous, but that I had a girlfriend back home and I was the loyal type. I’m still wondering where I pulled all of these lines from.
Clara put her finger over my mouth and said, “Shhhh.” I thought she was just about to kiss me anyway, but that’s when we heard the sound of two deafening firecrackers. We looked up at the sky, and it was full of fireworks! It was Bastille Day, which is the French independence day, kinda like July 4th! Clara took my hand and led me back to camp, with the others, and we all watched the show. It was really something. The fireworks were almost better than the ones I’d watched in Brittany, to be honest!
Then, since it was a nice night and the sky was clear, Gerald suggested we go get our pillows and blankets so we could sleep under the stars! That was enough to send us rushing back to our rooms. Some people fell asleep right away, others later. Mehdi, Nico, Yanis, Clara, Coline, some others, and I decided to stay up all night to take advantage of the rest of our time.
Later on, when everyone was sound asleep, we gathered together for one last meeting of our mystery council. I had a great idea:
The others thought it was brilliant.
Nico gave me a wink, remembering the one we bury every year in the vacant lot. We slipped away to the kitchen, where we found an empty box in the trash. Jackpot! That would do the trick. Then we all quietly split up to go look for souvenirs around camp that could go in the box. The girls found paper hearts, mascara, and a bag of marshmallows. We threw in the backpacking compass, some advice scrawled on a piece of paper, a can of sardines snatched from the chow hall, a Montlardons postcard, a Champ Camp sun hat, and tons of other stuff. But above all, we added Dindin Hood’s Journal. It could prove to be extremely useful for other people.
Then before hiding the survival box under my bed, we all made a pact:
to come back next year!
Here I am, back at home. I’m reunited with my parents, my sisters, my room, my video games, and my furry blanket. There was even a little present waiting on my desk.
It’s all good, and life is smooth. You’d think I’d be relieved to get back safe and sound, that I’d consider myself some kind of survivor from now on—a true adventurer, even a hero!
And yet ever since the bus stopped, I got off, and said goodbye to everyone, I’ve been feeling pretty bummed. Before going our separate ways, we all hugged and exchanged addresses and phone numbers. We cried, OK, I admit it.
I got in the car and stuck my nose against the rear window, waving goodbye. I saw them shrink into the distance—spots, black smudges, a single point, then nothing. It was clear that camp was really over. Yeah, OK, I know you must be telling yourself I’m never happy. For two weeks, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, I was dreaming of only one thing: escaping that rotten prison and never setting a single toe in camp again.
But in the end, I’ve gotta say, camp turned out to be really . . .
I made new friends there; I survived, even without candy, salt and vinegar chips, and video games; I even spent the night with a girl—well technically speaking; I met up with Nico, my BFF; I solved the puzzle of Dindin Hood’s Journal; and I think with all the survival stuff I learned, I became a man . . . mostly. I’m almost certain I spotted a manly wrinkle on my forehead. Anyway, how can I put it? . . . I have some unforgettable memories.
I already asked my parents to sign me up for next year, and I think it’ll work out. At least they didn’t say no—that’s something. There’s only one issue: the number of days I have to cross off before I go back is unbelievable. Dear future human, to whoever is now reading these desperately scrawled lines: take me back! I don’t know if I can hold out that long.
Max only dreams of one thing: leaving his mark on history and becoming the hero of his era! Well, OK, at the moment he’s only going into sixth grade. . . . But between ♡Naïs, his secret crush, Raoul, his worst enemy, and the English exchange students, the year doesn’t look like a walk in the park!
This year, there’s no doubt: Max has got this! His main goal? Get closer to Naïs. And he has just the idea in mind to do it! But the arrival of Nico, the new kid, and his enrollment in Reading Passion club aren’t going to make things easier. . . .
Anne Kalicky
Passionate reader and serial scribbler since the age of seven, one day Anne decided to grow up a bit and “blend in,” become an editor, and eventually start writing for herself. It’s the only credible (or not) disguise she could find to pretend to be an adult. Anne is a sensitive, optimistic daydreamer with a smile always on her face, kind of like her character.
Tim Jones
Tim Jones was six when he drew his first Smiley face. Created as an act of rebellion on the wall of his cafeteria, the Smiley wore a huge grin, had large open eyes, and was farting. Today, Tim lives in London, loves tea, and constantly eats cereal (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). When he’s not drawing, he plays tennis, runs marathons from time to time, listens to music, and DJs in his spare time.
This edition © 2019 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews. Published in French under the title Ma vie en Smiley: Au Secours! (ou pas . . .). © 2018 by Les Livres du Dragon d’Or, Un department d’Eid8, 12, avenue d’Italie—75013 Paris Based on the original Smiley logo by Franklin Loufrani and SmileyWorld by Nicolas Loufrani.
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ISBN: 978-1-4494-9572-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018966021
Editor: Jean Z. Lucas
Art Director/Designer: Diane Marsh
Production Manager: Chuck Harper
Production Editor: Margaret Daniels
Translator: Kevin Kotur
Digital Production: Kristen Minter
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