Alexis and the Perfect Recipe Read Online Free

glare, but he didn’t look around. Just sat with his backpack on his back, his hands gripping the edge of his desk, poised to launch out of his seat and out the door. I’m usually not that devious, but for some reason, his attitude really bugged me today. So I raised my hand.
    â€œYes, Alexis?” asked Mr. Nichols.
    â€œOh, you forgot to assign the homework,” I said,and it didn’t take long for Eddie to react. His head snapped around and he glared at me. I gave him a closed-mouth smile and shrugged. That’s what you get, Mr. Rude, I thought. Teachers are people too!
    â€œAh, thank you, Alexis,” said Mr. Nichols distractedly. “I almost forgot . . .”
    On autopilot, I copied down the homework and then packed up my bag. Eddie had already sprung out of the room and down the hall. From the back row I could hear Sydney Whitman and Callie Wilson restart their almost incessant chatter. The day was one long gossipfest for them, about movie stars, kids they went to camp with, kids from school, boys—anyone and anything. And it all sounded so utterly mindless and unproductive.
    â€œGood catch on the homework, Alexis!” said Callie brightly. I looked up at her to see if she was making fun of me. She didn’t seem to be.
    â€œYeah,” sneered Sydney. “I’d hate to get out of here without something to keep our skills sharp at home.”
    Well, Sydney’s response wasn’t surprising. I ignored her and kept stuffing my books into my bag. My cheeks felt hot, but I willed myself not to blush.
    Then she started laughing hysterically as shesauntered out of the classroom with Callie. The next class shuffled in, and I was going to be late. I had no choice but to fall into step right behind Callie and Sydney. I had worn a skirt today as part of Project M. T., and its unfamiliar swish against my legs made me feel insecure. I had worn my hair up, as usual, as a control, so I could isolate the effect of the skirt.
    I wondered if I’d even see Matt, after all this strategizing.
    Just ahead of me Sydney said to Callie teasingly, “I wonder if we’ll see Mr. Hottie today?”
    â€œOh, I almost hope not! I look terrible!” moaned Callie, who couldn’t have looked more perfect.
    â€œWhen was the last time you saw him?” asked Sydney.
    Callie made a sad face. “Last week. And I used to see him every day at camp! It’s so unfair!” she wailed.
    â€œWell, maybe you need to get your hands on a copy of his schedule and just make sure you’re putting yourself in the right place at the right time!” said Sydney. “I mean, what are we here for, right?”
    Wow, scary! I thought. Is that what we’re here for? To get boys to notice us? But then I realized Sydney had a point. And if so, maybe I should belistening to these two. They did certainly know how to attract boys’ attention.
    Suddenly Sydney squealed. “Oh my God! Two o’clock! Two o’clock!”
    What? What was happening at two o’clock?
    Callie flipped her hair and I could see her straighten her clothes. She grabbed Sydney’s arm and linked her hand through it, squeezing tightly. I hate when girls walk together like that—it’s so annoying! Anyway, I watched to see what was happening.
    And just then, I spotted Matt! My stomach felt like it dropped to the floor, and I was hot and cold all over. I’m pretty sure I had an insta-blush. I looked down at the linoleum tiles, then at the lockers on either side of me, the ceiling, anywhere but toward Matt, who was ahead and to my right, walking with a friend toward me. Should I say hi? What was my plan? Suddenly I couldn’t remember what I had planned to do! Why didn’t I have my strategy book with me? I stared—past my skirt—at my toes.
    â€œHey, guys!” Sydney called in a loud, high-pitched voice that was sickeningly sweet in a very fake way.
    I looked up to