Disconnect Read Online Free

late.”
    â€œOnly a couple of minutes?” My mother’s voice was chilly.
    â€œThe car pool had just got here when we arrived.” Trust her to make a big deal out of it.
    â€œWe? Is it okay to have people over when you’re babysitting?”
    â€œCynthia never said.”
    â€œWho is there with you?”
    â€œCleo.”
    Cleo looked up when she heard her name.
    â€œAnd who is Cleo?” Mom asked.
    â€œYou met her, remember? She knits.”
    Cleo tapped her hat and grinned.
    â€œWhy didn’t Cynthia call again herself?” I asked Mom.
    â€œShe had to go into a meeting. I was to get her out of there if there was still no answer.”
    I could hear Caden yelling upstairs. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.”
    â€œI’ll tell Cynthia that everything’s okay,” said Mom. I could hear the smile in her voice when she added, “It’s nice to know you’ve made a friend.”
    I hung up without saying goodbye. One minute, she’s on my case because I’m two minutes late. Now, everything is forgiven because I have a friend!
    â€œYou going to help, or what?” asked Cleo. “Caden’s calling you.”
    â€œHe’ll be fine for a minute,” I said as I checked my messages.
    Im in the festivl!!! Jazz & tap!!! Selena had texted.
    Deets ltr? I answered. Im @ wrk!!!
    â€œCleo is going to show me how to make a tin-can phone,” said Emmy. “Have we got any cans?”
    I pushed the blue box toward them with my foot. “Isn’t Emmy too young to get addicted to phones?” I said to Cleo.
    â€œIdiot!” Cleo said as she dug in the box for some cans.
    When my phone rang, she leaned across and grabbed it. She peered at the screen. “One of your buddies, looks like. Leave it, can’t you? We’ve got a science project to do.”

Chapter Six
    By the time I called her back after I got home, Josie had left one message and Selena two.
    â€œThat’s great about the festival,” I told Selena as she picked up.
    She cut me off. “Yeah. It is. But that not why I called.”
    â€œBet you’re pleased though. I know you were ticked about the bronze—”
    She interrupted, talking fast. “Look, Daria. It’s about our trip. There’s been a change of plans. It turns out Dad’s car needs…well, something real expensive. And see, there’s only room for three in the back of Mom’s Kia.”
    â€œWe’ve done it before. Lots of times.”
    â€œYeah. But not as far as Quebec. With all our stuff.”
    â€œSo?”
    I could hear her swallow.
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s not like it’s the only chance we’ll have. Next year, I’ll make sure…”
    â€œSelena, what are you telling me?”
    Her words came out in a rush. “There won’t be room for you. Not this time. Not with me and Justine and Josie.”
    â€œJustine?” I pulled my pillow into my lap. I hugged it. “Justine Marcus is going with you?”
    â€œYou know her mom knows my mom? They were talking and before I knew it…”
    â€œJustine?”
    â€œStop saying it like that. Like I said, there’s only room for three of us. Mom and Dad in the front…”
    â€œI know how many seats there are in your mom’s damn car. I’ve been in it often enough.” The three of us in the back. Sharing magazines. Doing our nails. Playing Scrabble. “We’ve been planning this for ages,” I said. “You, me and Josie. Like always. Now you want to take Justine instead?”
    â€œNot really. But when her mom…”
    â€œRight. Of course. It’s not your fault. It’s her mom’s. Your mom’s. You know what?” I held the phone away at arm’s length. I took a deep breath, then put it back to my ear. “Sure. Go ahead,” I said. “Fine. You and Josie have a good