Katie and the Cupcake War Read Online Free

for the fund-raiser this year,” she said.
    Alexis looked straight at her. “Well,” she said, “we’re the Cupcake Club. It’s kind of a given.”
    Callie ignored her. “Well, we were thinking of doing cupcakes this year.”
    I almost choked on my carrot stick. The PGCcould not do cupcakes! That was copying! I was about to start freaking out when Mia spoke up in her usual calm, cool way.
    â€œI guess may the best cupcake win, then,” she said.
    Callie got a look on her face, like maybe she wasn’t expecting that answer. Like maybe she wanted us to freak out. I was glad Mia spoke up first.
    â€œWell, then, I guess it’s on,” she said, tossing her hair. (And when did she start doing that, anyway?)
    Then she turned and walked away, and Maggie and Bella followed her, just like they used to follow Sydney.
    â€œThey can’t even come up with their own idea!” Alexis fumed.
    â€œâ€˜It’s on’?” Emma repeated. “What is she even talking about? I thought Callie wasn’t as bad as Sydney. She might be worse!”
    Mia nodded. “I guess it’s clear who the new leader of the PGC is.”
    I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I felt terrible. It wasn’t just the PGC declaring war on the Cupcake Club. It was Callie declaring war on me . That’s what it felt like, anyway. This was the girl I learned to ride bikes with, who I had a zillion sleepovers with, who knew my deepest secrets. I never did anythingto make her stop being friends with me, and she dumped me. That was bad enough. But this . . . this really hurt.
    I looked down at my rainbow-painted fingernails.
    So much for my lucky day, I thought.

CHAPTER 4
What’s Up with Mom?
    E ven though I was pretty upset by my encounter with Callie, I have to admit that the rest of the day was okay. After lunch, Mia was in my next two classes (which was good, because Callie, Maggie, and Bella were in them too). For fifth period we had social studies with Mrs. Kratzer. She’s short, with short hair and round glasses, and she seems really friendly. Then we had science with Ms. Chandar, who’s way more serious than Mrs. Kratzer, but she seems nice, too.
    In seventh period I had an elective class, and I chose drama for this semester. Even though the idea of getting onstage terrifies me, I didn’t have to worry about that in this class. I thought it might be fun to study drama without having to be in a realplay, you know? The teacher’s name is Mr. Brent, and he looks really young, like he could be in college or something. Anyway, the class looked like it might be fun.
    Finally, I had English. English is my favorite subject, so it’s like saving the best for last. The teacher, Ms. Harmeyer, seems kind of quiet and shy, like somebody who likes to read books all the time instead of talking a lot. I guess maybe that’s why she became an English teacher.
    When school ended, I packed all my books into my backpack and went outside to catch the bus. Last year, Joanne, who works in my mom’s office, would pick me up and take me to Mom’s work until her day was over. Some days my mom gets off early, and some days she has to work late.
    This year, Mom said I could take the bus home and stay at the house by myself. I almost couldn’t believe it. My mom has always been super-protective, probably because she’s had to raise me by herself. I figured she wouldn’t let me stay by myself until I graduated college. But now I have my own key to the house, and it feels pretty cool.
    When I got home I headed right for the kitchen and ate a banana. I forgot how hungry going to school makes me!
    Then I remembered that I was supposed to call Mom the second I got in the door. Whoops! I was a little surprised Mom hadn’t called or alerted the fire department when she didn’t hear from me.
    â€œHi, sweetie!” Mom said when she picked up. “How was the