The Forget-Me-Not Summer Read Online Free Page A

Dares of Dawn ?”
    â€œOh, I haven’t read them,” Amanda said.
    â€œReally?” Marigold had to summon up all her acting skills in order to hide her shock. She didn’t know of a single person her age who hadn’t read the books. Even her dad had read the first one. “They’re awesome.”
    Amanda nodded and then checked her cell phone again.
    â€œWaiting for a call?” Marigold asked, rocking on her heels in hopes that some air might sneak into her wedges and cool off the bottoms of her perspiring feet.
    â€œMy mom was supposed to pick me up, and she’s late,” Amanda said.
    â€œI’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Marigold said.
    â€œYeah, right,” Amanda said, her face full of shadows. “She always does this.”
    â€œWell, I think it’s epic that you’re going to be Seraphina,” Marigold said, switching the subject to something positive. “I would do anything to be in that movie.”
    â€œI think they’re doing more casting in July,” Amanda said, “but they’re probably just looking for stars, you know?”
    â€œOh,” Marigold said, feeling a little sizzle of pain like a prick of hot oil from Berta’s griddle. She wasn’t a star.
    â€œI mean, unless you wanted to be an extra,” Amanda said. “But who would want that? I always feel bad for them. The other day one of them was following me everywhere. It was so weird.”
    â€œI’d never want to be an extra,” Marigold said, even though she knew that just seconds ago she would’ve jumped at the chance, especially for the Night Sprites movie.
    â€œUm, I think I’d better go inside,” Amanda said. “I’m getting a sunburn.”
    â€œMe, too,” Marigold said. She trailed Amanda back into the lobby, wondering if she should ask Jill Dreyfus about auditioning for Night Sprites before or after she performed her monologue. Marigold was now more determined than ever to try out even if she wasn’t a star—yet. As Amanda approached the receptionist’s desk, Marigold took a seat on the big white sofa. She didn’t want to be following Amanda around like that extra.
    â€œDid you get ahold of my mom?” Amanda asked the receptionist.
    â€œWe can’t reach her,” the receptionist said, “but I’m going to keep trying.”
    â€œShe was supposed to be here an hour ago,” Amanda said.
    â€œI know, hon. I ordered you some sushi. It’s in the kitchen, okay?”
    â€œFine,” Amanda said. “Whatever.”
    â€œSee you later,” Marigold said as Amanda walked away.
    â€œYeah, see ya,” Amanda said.
    Speaking of moms, Marigold was wondering where hers was. She wasn’t in the lobby, and she wasn’t on the balcony. She headed toward the hallway to see if she was still in the bathroom. Marigold was starting to think that maybe not being able to locateher mother would give her something else to talk to Amanda about when she spotted her, standing in an empty conference room, speaking into her cell phone.
    â€œTo tell you the truth,” Marigold overheard Mom say, “I think a change from L.A. will be refreshing. I don’t care if it’s the middle of nowhere Canada. The apartment sounds great. I’m sure we’ll settle right in and make a home of it.”
    They were leaving L.A.? For Canada ? Now? Right when all her dreams were about to come true? Marigold felt her very center erode, as if her home, this edge of the world called California, had suddenly broken off and slipped into the sea.
    â€œMarigold,” the receptionist said. “There you are. Jill will see you now. Are you ready?”

5. Family Meeting
    W hen Samantha’s mother dropped Zinnie off at home that afternoon, Zinnie finally released the tears she’d been holding back the whole car ride. She dried her eyes with the sleeve of her T-shirt (a