Cover of The Mix-Up Before the Dance

Priya and Jasper are in the same class. The school dance is on Friday night. Priya likes Jasper, but she feels shy about it.

Priya tells her friend Colin about her feelings. "Don't tell anyone," she says. Colin promises to keep the secret.

At lunch, Colin talks to Jasper by mistake. He wants to help Priya. "Priya likes someone," Colin says. "She's too shy to say who."

Jasper hears this and thinks Colin means someone else. He believes Priya likes a boy on the soccer team.

On Thursday, Jasper sees Priya at her locker. "Are you going to the dance with someone?" he asks quietly.

"No," Priya says. "I don't have a plan yet." She looks down at her books.

"I heard you like a boy on the soccer team," Jasper says. Priya's face turns red. "What? No, that's not true!"

"Then who do you like?" Jasper asks. Priya takes a deep breath. "I like you, Jasper," she says.

Jasper smiles a big smile. "I like you too," he says. "Colin got it all wrong."

They both laugh about the mix-up. "Do you want to go to the dance with me?" Jasper asks.

Priya nods and smiles. "Yes, I'd like that," she says. They walk to class together. They still laugh about Colin's mistake.

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. Why does Colin talk to Jasper at lunch?

    Show answer

    Answer: To help Priya

    Colin wants to help Priya, so he talks to Jasper.

  2. Who does Jasper think Priya likes at first?

    Show answer

    Answer: A boy on the soccer team

    Jasper believes Priya likes a boy on the soccer team.

  3. What does Jasper ask Priya at the end?

    Show answer

    Answer: To go to the dance with him

    Jasper asks, "Do you want to go to the dance with me?"

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