Confessions of a So-called Middle Child by Maria T. Lennon

Author:Maria T. Lennon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2013-06-21T04:00:00+00:00

RED ALERT: Never, and I repeat, never go for the You Are the Best Cook Ever routine with a parent. They see through it and know you are evil.

Mom caught on right away. “I’m happy you like them,” she said in a kinda mean voice. Pen rolled her eyes. I could so see what was happening, and it was not good. They were ganging up on my friend in silence. “We’re inviting everyone,” I announced proudly. “Everyone in the entire class.”

“I so love when people do that. It’s just good karma, right?” Trix licked her lips and glanced at Mom.

“Speaking of good karma, any news on Marta?” Babs gulped milk down, totally oblivious of the fact that this was not the time or the place to talk sabotage.

I checked to make sure Mom didn’t hear it. “I haven’t had time yet.”

Trixie took a tiny sip and stared straight at me. “You should go, like now.”

“Go where?” Pen asked.

I glared at her. “Nowhere. Go away, Pen.”

Trix batted her lashes. “Nowhere, Pen.”

“I thought we were going to wait,” I said, lowering my voice and my head. Pen could read lips, you know. “Until after the competition.”

“Change of plans. We’re gonna need to find out now,” Trixie whispered. “Now.”

Pen grabbed an apple and walked past. “Even if she lives outside the school district, she could still have a permit, you know.”

“Pen!” I yelled. “Stop listening to our conversation!”

Mom put down more brownies, checked our glasses, acting like this was a totally normal conversation to have. “Like work, siblings, transportation, you name it.” She poured more milk. “There’s a permit for it. You’d better check on it before you get yourself into trouble.”

“Oh, I wasn’t going to tell!” Suddenly Trix was playing the dumb blonde. “Of course she could have a permit, and I sincerely hope she does, Mrs. C.” Trix got up and walked around the table until she stopped right behind me. “But even if she doesn’t, I won’t say a word until after the competition.”

Babs shook her head. “Not a word, Mrs. C.”

Trix looked at Babs. “It would look bad and underhanded, and I don’t want that.” She batted her eyes at my mom and picked up her Gucci purse, like she was ready to go.

“No,” Mom said tightly, “you don’t.”

“And anyway”—Trix came over and put her arm around me—“my good friend Charlie already warned me to keep my mouth shut, and she is right.” She shrugged. “My lips are sealed.”

“Yeah, sealed,” Babs agreed. “Thanks, Mrs. Cooper.”

Mom gave them a dirty look. And Pen, she watched them leave like they were a pack of yipping hyenas dragging off a deer. I got up and followed them to the door, feeling hopeful that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing would be put to rest until after the competition. “See you on Monday, guys.”

But the second they were out the door, Trixie pulled me close and whispered in my ear, “Find out where exactly she lives. No matter what. I want to know by Monday.

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