Disconnect Read Online Free Page B

sandwich.
    Cleo laughed. “That’s how my parents talk.” She grabbed a fry from my plate. “You don’t have to worry about that lot and their fancy holiday in la belle Quebec. You’ve got me!”
    I took a long drink of pop. “You want the rest of these?” I shoved my plate toward her.
    As we headed out of the cafeteria, Cleo asked, “How’s Emmy doing with her science project?”
    â€œShe wants me to help her decorate the tin cans tonight.”
    â€œOne of my collages hung in the hallway at Westbank Central for a whole term.”
    Of course it did. As soon as I caught the mean thought, I said, “So, Van Gogh. You want to come over and help?”
    She grinned and put her arm through mine. “Sure.”
    â€œGreat. Do you need to let your mom know you won’t be home right away?”
    â€œShoot.” Cleo slapped her forehead dramatically. “I have to help her assemble her new loom. Tomorrow, though? I’ve got loads of cool craft stuff at my house I can bring over.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œWhat about that movie?” she asked. “Shall I check the papers to see what’s on?”
    I thought we would download something to watch at my place. I could impress her with our new huge flatscreen. But she’d probably just tell me about growing up watching magic lantern shows, or whatever they use on Little House on the Prairie . “Tell you what,” I said. “Let’s talk tonight, and we can figure out what to do.”
    â€œSounds good,” said Cleo. “Give the kids a hug from me. Especially that sweetie pie Cade.”

Chapter Seven
    My phone kept getting buried under Emmy’s craft stuff spread across the kitchen table.
    â€œWill you come and play with my space station?” Caden asked me. A milk mustache was smeared across his face.
    â€œIn a bit,” I told him. I picked up my phone. Maybe if I logged on to the movie listings, Josie or Selena would call.
    â€œOkay. But hurry up.” He dashed out of the room.
    Emmy was busy cutting paper, her tongue poking out between her teeth. I had run through all the local movie listings by the time Caden yelled down.
    â€œI’ll be right up,” I answered. I checked to see if Josie and Selena had posted anything on Facebook.
    Caden yelled something else I couldn’t understand.
    â€œDaria!” Emmy looked over at me and rolled her eyes. Then she continued cutting.
    A text beeped. Josie. U still talking to me? Us? Call me. Now. Im home. Call me. OK? PP.
    â€œI’m going into the living room,” I told Emmy.
    â€œCaden wants you,” she said. “Can’t you hear him?”
    â€œI’ll go up in a minute.”
    I was settling onto the couch when I heard thumps overhead. What on earth was the kid doing now? Rearranging the furniture? My phone beeped again. I thought I never wanted to speak to Selena again. But what had Cleo said? There’s always enough friendship to go around.
    â€œHi,” is all I said. I didn’t plan to make this easy.
    â€œI know you’re mad at us,” Josie said. “I don’t blame you. Honest, Dari. It wasn’t my idea…”
    â€œYou could have stood up for me.”
    â€œI tried. But I swear. It was Selena’s mom. We didn’t stand a chance once she suggested it to Justine’s mom.”
    â€œI can’t believe—”
    â€œI know. She’ll wreck the whole trip. You know Justine’s allergic to almost everything, right? And you know what? She’s bilingual, she says. I bet she’s going to practice all the way to Quebec.”
    I held my hand against one ear to shut out the noise from upstairs. “ Comment allez-vous? ” I said in my clunkiest accent. “ Voulez-vous danser avec moi? ”
    Josie laughed. “ Mais oui, monsieur. But I guess it might be useful having someone who speaks it,” she said.
    â€œIf you