Girls Just Wanna Have Pugs by J. J. Howard

Author:J. J. Howard [Howard, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2020-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Luce, come over for clothing emergency! Pls ☺

I sent the text and peered anxiously into my closet. Normally, I would text Taz about fashion, but she was busy preparing for her family’s party. Every year at the end of September, the Topolskys threw a big party because Taz’s parents both have their birthdays around then.

They reserved the rooftop of our building and everyone brought tons of food. It was always really fun. But I couldn’t decide what to wear.

“What’s up, Kat?” Lucy said when she arrived in my room. “What do you mean, emergency?”

I looked down at the yellow dress I’d put on. “Is this too fancy? I know it’s not that kind of party, but I sort of wanted to look nice …”

“You’ll look great no matter what,” Lucy said. She wore leggings and a cute striped T-shirt. “It isn’t like you to worry about clothes!”

“I know.” I shrugged, looking into my closet again. I thought I knew where my extra nerves were coming from—a certain newcomer to the annual party—but I couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud to Lucy. “How about this?” I asked, holding up a purple shirt. “With jeans?”

“Stay in the dress,” Lucy said. “Let’s go! Party’s already started.”

I came out of my room to find Micki waiting eagerly in the living room. But Mom was still wearing her fluffy blue robe—the one that only made an appearance when she was either sick or feeling blue herself.

“You’re not going,” I said. It wasn’t a question. I could tell what the answer would be.

“Hi, Lucy,” Mom said before turning to me with an apologetic smile. “Just not feeling up to a party today. But you girls go on ahead. Have fun for me.”

“We could stay with you,” I suggested.

“Yeah,” Lucy said. “We could all watch a movie or something.”

“You three aren’t staying inside on this beautiful day. Besides, I know you look forward to this party every year.”

I wondered if Mom would go to the party if Dad were here. It seemed like they both used to have a lot of fun when we all went together.

Micki ran over and gave Mom a hug. I opened the door to the fridge and pulled out the big containers of cut-up watermelon that I’d promised to bring upstairs. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?” I asked Mom. “We could wait while you get ready …”

Mom shook her head. “Nope. I’d actually love a couple hours to myself to watch HGTV.” Micki groaned and Mom smiled. No doubt Mom knew the reaction she’d get from mentioning her favorite channel that the rest of us didn’t really like.

“Okay, we’ll be back later. Text me if you need anything, okay?”

Mom gave me an almost stern look. “Katherine Ann Cabot. I’m the one who will receive a text if anything is needed. Got it?”

I gave her a salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

Mom smiled as she tightened the belt around her fuzzy robe. “Go have fun, you.”

Lucy, Micki, and I headed into the elevator and rode up to the roof.

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