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  “Hey yourself, Leyli,” Dan said, flipping his hair a little off his forehead.

  When did Dan ever do a hair flip? When did Madison ever notice?

  Mrs. Wing shooed everyone from the classroom. Madison wanted to linger just to keep an eye on Dan and Leyli, but Mrs. Wing pulled her aside.

  “Madison, I have to speak with you,” Mrs. Wing said sweetly. “First of all, I’m sorry about Phin. Dr. Wing told me you came to the clinic. You know how much I care about that dog. He’s one of a kind.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Wing.”

  “That’s not all I wanted to say. As you know, the school selects a few students to receive Super Scholar awards at the holidays. I thought you should know that I am nominating you to receive one, with a special note about how hard you’ve worked through seventh and eighth grade to help with the school’s website.”

  “What? Wow.” Madison was speechless. “Seriously?”

  “Couldn’t be more serious, Madison,” Mrs. Wing said. “You are deserving. I’m proud of you.”

  Madison zipped up her backpack and heaved it over one shoulder. She was proud of herself, too, especially in that moment. Mom, Dad, Stephanie, and even Phinnie would also be prouder than proud.

  She thanked Mrs. Wing and headed out of the classroom, looking for Dan in the hallway. Her pulse was racing. For some reason, she really wanted to tell him right now.

  But the only thing Madison saw in the hallway was the back of Dan’s head, walking next to Leyli, heading down the hall and outside.

  Chapter Seven

  Madison and Fiona walked home together.

  “See you online!” was the last thing Fiona said, waving, as she bounded across the grass onto her porch.

  Madison raced inside.

  Mom was on a conference call—typical—when Madison came inside, and she could smell her perfume from across the room. Mom was wearing her favorite nubby blue sweater. Maddie threw her arms around her.

  “Hello, honey bear!” Mom said, then apologized to the person on the phone. Her bright hello was followed by a pointed index finger. “Love you, dear. I’ll be just a minute.”

  “Okay,” Maddie said, even though she knew Mom’s one minute was equal to twenty minutes. She kissed Mom on the head and headed up to grab her laptop.

  Tweenblurt.com was busier than usual today. Maybe other kids were catching onto the retro thing? Madison liked the idea that she could start a trend. Maybe she’d be the reason why all kids would abandon their phones and head back to ordinary chat rooms? Or not. Madison sighed at the thought. She wasn’t starting any new trends except maybe one: worrying about random things like Dan’s hair flips.

  The only people missing from today’s chat would be Lindsay, who had gone away on a cruise with her mom and aunt from New York City, and Madhur, who was sort of “on the outs” from the group. She’d been really intense lately, uber-focused on her schoolwork instead of friends. Madison had hoped that both girls would be back in time for the harvest festival so the whole group could be together. But Lindsay was still out of town, and Madhur was stuck at home studying.

  It was a definite bonus to have Leyli, aka PurpleLey, in the group these days. She and Madison had been spending a lot more time talking and hanging out. It reminded Madison of a T-shirt Eileen had worn at the clinic: New Friends Are Like Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life.

  Leyli was like extra bacon bits for sure, even if things felt a teeny bit awkward with Dan in technology today.

  Entering Chat Room DANCEPALS

  : so w@? Is Phin ok or???????????????

  : I guess my stepmom found him having a seizure or something again and she took him 2 the vet AGAIN!! so he’s resting now scry tho that makes twice and they don’t know why

  : sacry

  : ugh I can’t type I meat SCARY

  : MEANT lol

  : OMG Maddie phinnie ILY 88

  : ILY2

  : change subject to something happy pls

  : Pug Power!!!!

  : Aim whassup with the shooooow?

  : DGMS

  : Oh no

  : seriously DGMS

  : I think it’s done as in NOT HAPPENING

  : just like that???? Noooooo!

  : Dad told me Madame Elaine wouldn’t sign a contract for something so the deal is off I guess more to come

  : AIMEE!!! I’m sooooo sad for you.

  : ((shedding a tear emojis))

  : BEG

  : BEG?!!! about what

  : Im sorry did I miss something?

  : just the end of my dance career

  : STOP!

  : Guys when is the festival isn’t it in two days??

  : You betcha it is so much fun

  : I have a secret

  : Oooooh WHAT do u know d00d?

  : watch out PurpleLey ;)

  : I kind of have a BCO …

  : WHO?????? please not my brother Chet

  : Wow the sympathy for me ended fast LOL

  : boo hoo no show

  : yeah Leyli you could have been on it too

  : musketeers!!

  BalletGrl has left the chat room.

  : where did aim go???

  : maybe CD9

  : or BAW like brothers are watching LOL

  BalletGrl has entered the chat room.

  : sorry computer ice

  : u mean froze

  : same thing!

  : the tweenblurtoserver is soooo slow today

  : life in the blurtosphere blah blah blah

  : *w*

  : whats going on 2nite?

  : on a school nite? Fiona?

  : gymnastix practice until 9

  : do u guys use zit cream

  : nice subject change Maddie

  : EWWWWWWWW 511

  : 511 ZITOSPHERE

  : hahaha ROFLCOPTER

  : quit it guys I don’t even understand half of what we r saying stop lolololol

  : did you see Dan today

  : :) he looked cuter than usual

  : what?

  : that’s my BCO

  : seriously? That’s so cute. He’s like one of the nice guys.

  : Except that he’s kinda geeky

  : YOLO go for it Leyli maybe @ the harvest fest on Saturday

  : *blushing as usual*

  : does n e one have the English homework?

  Madison clicked on the icon to exit the chat. Just like that. No explanation.

  She felt like someone had thrown a pie at her face.

  Leyli liked Dan—for real?

  The signs were so obvious, but Madison had wished it away. Leyli hadn’t been secretive or anything—and that drove Madison crazy. She admitted how much she liked longish hair. She didn’t flirt attack like Poison Ivy used to do with Hart so she could make Madison squirm. No, Leyli was nice. She and Dan would probably make a cute couple. How infuriating!

  And the “I Have a BCO Dan” drama wasn’t the only thing making Madison dizzy right now. There was also Stephanie and Dad’s big baby confession, Phin’s second unfortunate visit to the vet, and the Hart email.

  Madison needed to check in with Mom. Was she off the call yet?

  No, of course not.

 
Madison walked around her house to try and shake off these yucky post-chat feelings. She checked the answering machine then the mailbox.

  She saw a pile of rubber dog toys and one half-chewed bone in the corner.

  Phinnie.

  If only her pug was here right now. He knew how to make everything better.

  Thankfully, Stephanie had admitted Phin that afternoon, so he might be back home tonight if they were lucky. Dr. Wing wasn’t sure why the pug had been having breathing trouble and seizures, but he made a promise to let everyone know Phinnie’s status right away.

  Mom was on one phone line in her office. Madison used the other house phone to contact the vet.

  “Far Hills Veterinary Clinic. What’s pup?”

  “Hello? Eileen?”

  “Madison!”

  “Nice joke,” Madison said.

  “Are you calling about Phin?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to say good night.”

  “He’s sleeping right now. He’s fine. Okay, hon? If we need you, we’ll let you know.”

  “Let you know” was code for “something was definitely wrong.” It had to be. What was wrong? Madison had shared all her ideas with Dr. Wing. Maybe her pug was allergic to his food. Maybe he was tired of all the drama at home. At both homes. Dogs were sensitive to all sorts of things, aren’t they?

  “Maddie, we are looking forward to your return to volunteering! We miss you.”

  “I know,” Madison said wistfully.

  After Eileen said her good-byes, Madison hung up and turned her attention to homework, spreading her books and papers across the dining-room table. At least she could bury her sadness in her science lab stuff—and other schoolwork. The eighth-grade teachers at Far Hills had conspired to pile on every subject imaginable tonight, or at least that’s how it felt.

  Thank goodness Madison wasn’t in Aimee’s shoes as far as homework was concerned. Aimee had been so focused on becoming a TV star that she was now behind in almost every class. She was freaking out.

  Madison picked up the phone again distractedly. She called Aimee to check in on her.

  “What’s up?” Madison asked when Aimee answered.

  Aimee explained how much she was freaking out about the homework situation.

  “I love dance more than life itself, but I don’t want to fail science,” Aimee told her. “And no one has asked me to the harvest festival.”

  “Just don’t get so stressed out that you forget to eat dinner,” Madison advised.

  “I know, I know, I will eat my nutritious snacks.” Aimee groaned. “If we have to go solo to the festival, at least we can look good … right? Let’s decide what we’re going to wear! We can be twins!”

  “Lemme look in my closet and I’ll call you back,” Madison said.

  Harvest Fest had been scheduled for the second weekend of October at Peterson’s Farm, just outside downtown Far Hills. That date was already here!

  By now, Madison was a pro at the fall festivals, and what was better than a party with hayrides, pig racing, and fresh cider donuts? Madison knew a good harvest festival was a chance to hang out with her friends—and frenemies. And the boys, too.

  Like Hart.

  And Dan.

  Two days before the big festival date, the meteorologists declared seasonally warm temps with a balmy autumn breeze. Sometimes weatherperson predictions cracked Madison up. Warm, balmy, whatever … it would be a direct score! It wasn’t the chilly fall Madison was used to, but it was perfect sweater weather. “Fallish” weather equaled a myriad of fashion choices available for Madison and her friends.

  Clearly, the most important thing about attending Harvest Fest was choosing the right outfit. The whole town looked forward to it for months—even the mayor. He had this pumpkin tie and hat he always wore. It was super geeky but fun.

  When Madison ducked into her closet to choose her Harvest Fest outfit and compare notes with Aimee, she was less than thrilled about what she found. She’d outgrown all her favorite T-shirts and sweaters for this autumn occasion. Her old reliable oversized brown sweater was no longer oversized. It was more sweater-vest now, and not in a good way. Her toes curled inside her boots, too, pressing right up against the tips. Madison knew it was time to raid Mom’s room. Lately, she had stopped fitting into her own clothes and started fitting into Mom’s stuff. Mom had some new clothes in her closet, too. Maybe Madison could find something perfect.

  She quietly slipped into Mom’s bedroom, thinking she was still in her downstairs office on the phone. The plan was to sneak into her closet, grab one of Mom’s cool new tops, and slink back out again. Right?

  But Mom was in her room with her black reading glasses pushed down to the tip of her nose and papers spread out to the edge of the bedspread.

  “M-Mom?” Madison stammered. “I thought you were on the phone down in your office. You were too busy to talk—”

  “Yeah, I was, and then I needed to get something out of my briefcase, which I left up here. I’m sorry. My head is in a million places and … Hey, why are you coming out of my closet?”

  “Ummm…” Madison knew that Mom tone—she was tired and preoccupied.

  Before Madison could get a real word out, Mom said, “Honey bear, I’ve got a lot of paperwork, so can we talk in the morning? Unless it’s something urgent …”

  Urgent? Well, does my need for a very cute outfit count? After all, you were just gone on a business trip, and the dog is at the vet for the second time this week, and you have no idea how much craziness is going on in my life. So you sort of owe me.

  “Is this about Phin?” Mom asked. “Because I talked to Steph earlier. She came by with your duffel bag.”

  “Well, I wanted to talk about school, actually. I have to fill you in on everything that happened when you were away. And this harvest festival thing. You see, Aimee and Fiona and everyone, we’re all going—”

  Mom’s cell phone beeped. She glanced down to look at it sitting on top of some papers. “Hang on,” Mom said, grabbing the phone to text while still trying to give Madison her attention. “So what kind of festival?” Mom asked, but her eyes were not looking at her daughter.

  “Harvest,” Madison repeated.

  “Oh?” Mom muttered, reading something. “What was that?”

  “Forget it,” Madison said for real. “I just wanted to borrow a shirt or something for this festival so I could look—”

  “Of course! Just take whatever you want. Except the leather coat or anything else that … Well, just show me first.”

  Madison smiled widely. “Really, Mom?”

  Mom was still distracted. “Right. Good?”

  “Thanks.”

  “No thanks needed,” Mom whispered. Then she stopped and tossed the phone onto the bed. “Wait. Maddie. Come here.”

  When Mom opened her arms, Madison considered just a normal hug. But that wouldn’t cut it. Instead she took a flying leap and landed face-first onto Mom’s mattress. The dive and crash sent all the work papers flying. “Ohhhhhh!” Mom squealed. She got a funny look on her face but then grabbed Madison around the middle and squeezed, hard.

  “Madison Francesca Finn, I love you so much,” Mom said. “I love you to the moon and the stars. I love you in the rain and in the sun. I love you. And I know this has been a dreadful few weeks. Well, a few years, with our divorce and my job and I could go on. And I’m sorry that Phinnie got sick while I was away. I don’t mean to leave you on your own, honey bear.”

  Even if you do all the time?

  “I’m going to pick up these papers,” Madison said in a sweet, apologetic tone. “I’m sorry I made a mess.”

  “I’m sorry that I made a mess, too,” Mom said. “That I keep making messes.”

  Madison felt her whole body stiffen. Mom was trying to connect. Finally.

  And then something re
ally weird happened. Mom got teary.

  First Dad cried in front of Maddie. Now Mom, too? Didn’t they know that Maddie was the one that was supposed to cry? Madison had seen Mom cry only when she cut onions and when Gramma Helen got sick. She hadn’t even cried much about the Big D. What was going on?

  Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

  Madison nearly jumped out of her skin. Mom jumped, too.

  “Who could that be?” Mom said, wiping away a few tears.

  The two of them went over to the window and glanced out. The orange sky was fading into darkness, drifting clouds hovering above the treetops.

  Red sky at night, sailor’s delight, Madison thought to herself. She’d heard that somewhere before.

  From their perspective, neither Mom nor Madison could see anyone at the front door.

  Then the bell rang again.

  “Who is it?” Mom bellowed as she and Madison hurried downstairs. “Who is it?”

  “Maddie!” a voice yelled. “Are you home?”

  Mom and Madison looked at each other and quietly giggled. It was Fiona!

  “I’m sorry, we’re not here right now,” Madison said sarcastically.

  Then she twisted the lock and let her BFF inside.

  FRIENDSHOP*

  So Fiona stopped over because she wanted to help me pick an outfit for the Harvest Fest IN ONE DAY!!!!! She had perfect timing, too. Mom was being a little … well, emotional. I’m not used to that.

  Mom loaned me some different shirts, so all’s well. I’m torn between this cool, lacey, almost-crop top with purple trim, but it looks a little big. I know it’s so cracked to want to look good for a dumb harvest thing, but my friends and I do. I wish I’d gotten my hair cut. This is one of those events where everyone is posting photos, so looking good is SO important.

  My secret wish had been to go to the mall for something new and fabulous, but Fiona was a good backup plan and my lucky charm today. We said that we can totally friendshop!

  *totally new word invented by me. I think I should create my own dictionary. Okay, maybe when I’m finished learning how to knit and kickbox and build my own skyscraper. Yeah! YOLO!!!

  Madison hit SAVE. She’d had heart-to-hearts with Mom and her BFF tonight, so she was feeling very connected again. She signed on to her email to see if Dan or Eileen had sent any word from the clinic about Phin’s condition.