Best Friends for Never Read Online Free

to grades, curfews, and loud music that needed to be turned down.
    Kendra had a delicate white mug with gold trim raised to her lips but put it down before taking a sip. The clink of the china was the only sound in the room. Massie couldn't stand the silence and rushed to fill it.
    “Of course, we would stay in the backyard so the house doesn't get dirty,” she added quickly. “Oh, and Claire has a great idea. Wait till you hear it.”
    Massie knew it was crucial for her parents to think that she and Claire had spent hours discussing this and that saying no to the party would be like saying no to their first steps toward friendship.
    “Go on,” Massie said. “Tell 'em.”
    Claire stared right back at Massie and asked, “Whhhat?” through her teeth. It came out sounding like, “Ahhht?”
    “Ehmagod, you are sooo modest.” Massie put her arm around Claire.
“She
thought it would be cool to invite a few boys to the party, too. You know, just to balance things out and to get some interesting costumes in the mix.”
    Massie discreetly pressed her arm down on Claire's shoulder, reminding her to play along. Claire brushed her hand against the back of Massie's leg to say that she would.
    “Claire, that was
your
idea?” Judi asked. She sounded pleasantly surprised.
    “Looks like our little Lyon is one big dog,” Jay replied, and followed up with a phlegmy laugh.
    “Don't tease.” Judi slapped her husband's arm playfully. “I think it's perfectly normal that she's ready to interact with boys.”
    Massie could feel Claire starting to squirm under her arm.
    “So Mom, can I?” Massie asked.
    “Can you what?”
    “Can I have the party?”
    “Can
you
have the party?” Kendra looked from Massie to Claire and then back to Massie again.
    Massie's mouth dried up and a rush of prickly heat shot up the back of her neck.
    How could I make such a stupid mistake?
    “I assumed you two were going to co-host.” Kendra tapped the side of her mug with her bloodred acrylic nail tips.
    “Especially since it was
Claire's
idea to have the boys in the first place,” Judi said. She leaned in toward the dessert tray on the coffee table, snapped off a piece of biscotti, and popped it in her mouth.
    “Oh, we're definitely co-hosts,” Massie said. “We've already started working on our list.”
    “I hope your brother, Todd, is in on it,” Jay said to Claire.
    “Of course he is.” Claire stuffed her hands into the side pockets of her cords.
    “And how many kids did you plan to invite from your grade?” Kendra asked her daughter.
    Massie paused. If she said “everyone,” her mom might worry about noise or mess. But if she said “almost everyone,” her mother would be angry she was leaving people out.
    “Everyone,” Massie said, deciding that when it came to her mother, it was always best to include. She held her breath while she waited for a reaction.
    “We'll sleep on it,” Kendra answered.
    Massie stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips.
    “I need to know—” Massie felt Claire tap her on the back of the leg. “I mean,
we
need to know tonight,” she said. “Halloween is only a week away, and we want to get Landon Dorsey to plan it.”
    “Who?” Claire asked.
    “She's the best party planner in the entire 914 area code. There is
nothing
that woman can't do,” Massie said.
    Kendra looked at the girls one last time and sighed. “I'm okay with it if you are,” she said to the other parents.
    “Have Landon call me with the cost,” William said.
    “Thanks, Daddy.” Massie ran over to the couch. She hugged her father and planted a big kiss on his balding head.
    “What about the cell phone?” Claire whispered to Massie.
    “Huh?” Massie said. She was busy massaging her father's shoulders.
    “You told me you'd help me ask for a cell phone.”
    Massie started karate chopping William's back.
    “Honey,” Jay said to Claire. “You know the rule. NO cell phones until you're sixteen.”
    “I know.”