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by Laura Dower

  It had been such a strange afternoon and Madison was exhausted. At times it was awkward, like when Hart arrived. He wasn’t the same boy from seventh grade. And what about Ivy? Didn’t Hart say he would never hang with her again?

  And yet that photo said it all.

  But the truth was Madison wasn’t the same girl from seventh grade, either.

  So why did it hurt when Leyli gushed about how much she liked Dan? Why should Madison even care? She had had her chance with him, way back when he crushed hard on her. But that time had passed. Dan was her animal-loving friend, the guy with the funny T-shirts. He was not Madison’s BCO. He was Leyli’s crush now.

  That hurt.

  Madison wanted to talk about these crazy, mixed-up feelings with someone, but who? She knew just the person: Victoria. Her keypal spent weekends at Special Equestrian camp, but maybe she’d be e-accessible? Madison clicked on her laptop and sent Bigwheels an all caps message: “I NEED YOU!”

  But there was no response. Her keypal was MIA.

  Aaaaaaaargh!

  Madison opened a brand-new file and began typing like a maniac.

  ALL MY FAULT?

  Here is the official list of problems in my universe, mysteries to be solved, and things to figure out pronto. I think I know the answers to some of these, but I keep asking the question anyhow.

  I hate all the stuff I can’t control.

  1.Why isn’t there an insta-cure for breakouts? And I don’t mean some cream. I mean a magic face-zapping power wand!

  2.Why can’t I be two inches taller? Is that so much to ask for?

  3.Why did my laptop jump out of my bag and crash onto the steps the other day? Doesn’t it like me anymore?

  4.Why can’t Dad and Steph have a baby like they want to? The universe is unfair!!!!

  5.Why is Ivy Daly so IMPOSSIBLE? And why is she always showing up unannounced? (Like in that photo grrrrrr.)

  6.Why is Steph always so nice no matter what?

  7.Why is Mom always so busy (and not always nice) no matter what?

  8.Why is Phinnie not getting better?

  9.What is going on with Hart, and why does he keep making me think we’re an “us” one minute and then COMPLETELY blowing me off the next?

  10.Why do Leyli & I have to be crushing on the same boy??? See #11.

  11.Why is that boy Pork-O? Am I crushing because Dan and I both like animals? Is it because he rides a skateboard now? Wait, that sounds so lame! Ahhhh! WHY DAN!??? WHY MEEEEEE?!!

  12.WHY WHY WHY??!!!!!!!

  Of course I will stop before 13 because that’s the unluckiest. I can’t risk unlucky. Not now.

  I soooo wanted Hart to write to me and be mine even after he moved away. That’s what he said he wanted, too. BUT now I’m not so sure. It doesn’t seem like old times, and he’s so low-key and distant, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking half the time—even when he’s standing inches from me at Harvest Fest.

  Is it over?

  Rude Awakening: Life is one big earthquake waiting to happen—and I’m always looking for the fault lines. My fault? Hart’s fault? Dad’s fault? Dan’s fault? Or maybe it’s nobody’s fault?

  Nope.

  It’s always somebody’s fault.

  Madison hit SAVE and fell back onto her pillows. She had those memory foam ones Mom got on sale. It was like sinking into a squooshy cloud, or at least what Madison imagined a cloud would feel like.

  She woke up hours later in a haze. Madison had hoped the morning would bring answers. So here it was—morning.

  No answers.

  There was a knock on Madison’s bedroom door. Mom poked her head in.

  “Decent?”

  Madison leaped up. “Mom! There’s a reason why I had the door closed. Can’t you read?”

  Madison had put a sign on the knob: KEEP AWAY UNLESS YOU HAVE A GOOD REASON.

  “Oh,” Mom said. “I think I have a good reason. I made some waffles if you want one.”

  Madison couldn’t believe Mom made breakfast. She never ever cooked! Definitely proof that Mom felt guilty about what had happened. This was how Mom worked: travel, work, complain, travel, work, feel guilty …

  Madison bounded into her closet and threw together an outfit. A faded jean skirt over brown leggings with a white top and sneakers did the trick.

  Breakfast without Phinnie felt too quiet. He was still at the clinic, so Madison had no one to toss waffle scraps to. Mom wasn’t saying much, either. The radio in the kitchen played elevator music and Mom drummed her fingers on the table.

  Madison ate quickly and got her stuff together. Mom was here to drive her to school at the start of a brand-new week, and that was a very good thing. It had been a while since Mom drove her, and Madison wanted to show her off, in a way. Most kids would run as far as possible from parent drop-off. But Madison wanted everyone to know her mom was here—only gone when she was out directing a major motion picture.

  Unfortunately, the drive did not leave space for much mom bonding. It was more like one awkward minute of silence after the next. Things had to change, Madison told herself. The ride to school felt slower than it had ever been, too—almost like the universe was trying to make her feel more awkward than was humanly possible.

  “Have a nice day, honey bear,” Mom said as Madison leaped out of the car.

  “Have a nice day, Mom,” Madison replied.

  She headed inside school feeling jumpy. It was so hard being mad at Mom—and everyone else. For the first time in a while, Madison was grateful for homework. Being busy with school meant less time for drama. She wanted to focus on getting A’s—and not getting A for annoyed.

  By the time seventh period arrived, Madison was thankful Hart had left Far Hills, so he was far out of sight where school was concerned. And she hadn’t been lucky—or unlucky—enough to run into Dan in the hallways today so far.

  When she got to science class and spotted her lab partner, Madison had a hunch that her mood might improve with an answer to the mysterious photo. Poison Ivy was seated at the table with her hair piled on top of her head. She looked like a model. Like her or not, Madison could never argue with fact: Ivy Daly was hands-down the prettiest girl at Fall Hills Middle School. Actually, she was probably the prettiest girl anywhere. No wonder Hart wanted to take a picture with her.

  Now Madison had to figure out how to broach the subject of the photograph.

  “I like your outfit,” Madison said, approaching her partner. “You look good.”

  “Well, you look awful,” Ivy said as they slid up onto their lab stools.

  “Gee thanks.” Madison shrugged.

  Ivy shrugged. “Hashtag TRUTH.”

  Any bystander who happened to hear that exchange might mistake it for mean girl talk. But Ivy was kidding around. That was how they talked to each other. They’d come a long way since third grade.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Ivy asked. “Seriously, Maddie. You look a little green.”

  “Which shade?” Madison laughed. “Lizard or throw-up?”

  “Mmmmm, good one,” Ivy cracked. “You should definitely fire your stylist.”

  “Hey, I am part alien,” Madison said. “What’s your excuse?

  “Oh, really?”

  Ivy made a face of faux disgust, and they both locked eyes. It was a full-on power struggle—and then Ivy cracked a wide smile. “Yes, I was trying hard to be rude,” Ivy said. “Because mean comes so much more easily than nice. Don’t you think?”

  Madison leaned in a little closer. “Ivy, can I ask you something real—and will you be totally honest with me?”

  “How many times do I have to tell you I’m your frenemy for life?”

  “Ivy … seriously. I’m gonna ask you something, and I don’t want you to freak.”

  “What’s the issue?” Ivy
asked.

  “Have you been hanging out with Hart Jones?”

  “Hart?” Ivy made a face. “Are you kidding? He lives in another state, Madison. Uh … No. I haven’t even seen him.”

  “Really? Because I heard that … well, I saw that—”

  “You heard what? You saw what?” Ivy rolled her eyes.

  “I saw a photo of you two. And everyone was saying that—”

  “You want to talk about everyone? Try your other friends on for size. Aimee sticks her nose in the air and never says hello. Fiona is worse. They’re mean. Why are you asking me about Hart? Didn’t we cover all this last year and this summer? Didn’t I already get publicly humiliated? Didn’t we end this? He’s your dreamboat. He doesn’t even care if I exist. Remember?”

  Madison gulped. Ivy was so upset. She didn’t want her to be distressed. She took all the stuff with Hart … well, to heart. She’d accused Ivy unfairly.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that … when I see you in a photo on someone’s cell phone and you and Hart are both in the pic, I start thinking—”

  “Impossible,” Ivy interrupted. “I am not in a new pic on Hart’s phone. Ridiculous.”

  “So, I guess I made a mistake. It’s just that—”

  “Maddie, please!” Ivy went on. “Didn’t you think that maybe it could have been a picture from last year, when things were totally messed up with us and I was hanging out with Hart?”

  “Hanging out?” Madison said cheekily.

  “Okay, stalking him. But just a little.”

  “I swear I saw a picture. From the fall festival. It was from last weekend.”

  Ivy’s head dropped down, and she took a breath. “Okay, maybe. Maybe it was me.”

  Madison’s eyes grew wide. “Huh?”

  “Hart saw me. He said some stuff. I thought he liked you. He’s weird.”

  Madison smiled. “Yeah, he’s very weird. What’d he say?”

  “Stuff. I told him to get lost,” Ivy said. “You believe me?”

  “Well … I actually do. Is that weird?”

  “I always tell you the truth, Maddie, even when it hurts. I tell you when you are wearing a truly hideous outfit, don’t I?”

  They chuckled together.

  “Yeah, Ivy,” Madison said. “Yes, you do.” This was the same Ivy who had ignored Madison since the third grade, the same Ivy who earned the Poison nickname for a reason, but now she seemed genuine.

  “Madison,” Ivy added, “I know we aren’t besties or anything, but I am so not interested in Hart anymore. I mean that. Cross my heart and hope to croak, ain’t no lie and ain’t no joke.”

  All at once, Madison felt her chest heave a little bit. She believed Ivy. This friendship, as warped and wacked as it was, mattered.

  “I don’t know what to think anymore,” Madison confessed. “I mean about Hart. And well, there’s this other kid in class. Oh, I shouldn’t say anything …”

  “You mean Dan?”

  “What? How did you …”

  Ivy grinned. “You know what all the talk-show hosts say, right? Like Dr. Will? Have you ever seen that relationship show?”

  Madison leaned in. “What are you talking about?”

  “That you have to be friends first,” Ivy stated matter-of-factly. “And you’re already friends with Pork-O, right?”

  “Uh … yes. Good friends. Sometimes it’s like he can read my mind. Well, that’s what it feels like. He gets me.”

  “So? Why are you confused about anything then?” Ivy demanded.

  Madison’s mind flickered. She wondered if maybe, even though she claimed to be her friend, Poison Ivy wasn’t still working the puppet strings, competing with Madison, trying to be better in every way—especially where boys were concerned. If she sent Madison off the trail with Dan, then Ivy could sniff out the next opportunity to swoop in and get the next cute boy for herself. Maybe she’d even parade Hart back into the picture. …

  “We better pretend to work,” Ivy said, “or Mr. Wolff will get suspicious. What I should do is fill in everything and let you copy off me since that’s what I did in reverse last year. I was so lame. Wasn’t I?”

  “You and the drones,” Madison said without realizing it.

  “Huh? Drones?” Ivy nodded. “Oh wait. Rose and Joan, right? Yeah, I remember when you called us that. I also remember ignoring you.” Madison had never told Ivy about the horrible nicknames they’d given to Ivy’s pals the prior year, but somehow Ivy found out. There had been so much animosity between the two of them for so long, the snarky comments were on autopilot. Madison bit her tongue so she wouldn’t let anything else hurtful slip out today.

  She and Ivy were friends now, even if it was a different category of friendship than she was used to.

  “Attention!” Mr. Wolff banged his hand on the SMART board. “Eyes up here, ladies and gentlemen. The lab instructions are on the sheets that Vanya passed around. I see some of you getting to work, but please read them carefully first. You can work independently today. You should use this time wisely.”

  “Let’s just do the lab,” Ivy groaned. “We can continue the heartfelt talk later, okay? I don’t wanna be mean, but—”

  Madison laughed. “Butt!”

  Ivy snickered and then held it in. “What are you, like six?”

  Ivy grabbed the question sheet. Madison fished in her bag for a pencil. They put their heads down and tried to work.

  “I need to get a good grade. Eighth grade Ivy wants an A. And I want to get it on my own this year, with no help. No offense.”

  Madison kept quiet. This was no ordinary Monday science lab. This had turned into a lab in the science of friendship. Now she and Ivy were friends enough to make sense of what had gone on between them—and to make sense of Mr. Wolff’s confusing-as-ever lab directions.

  Mr. Wolff — Earth Science Lab #6

  Essential Question: How do scientists use the different types of fossils to explain Earth’s past?

  1. Each group examines the following items: trilobite, brachiopod, pelecypod, horn coral, blastoid, shark’s tooth, gastropod, cephalopod, sea urchin, and starfish.

  2. Review separate question sheet.

  • The trilobites were marine animals in what era?

  • How do brachiopods and pelecypods differ?

  • Why are teeth the most common fossil of a shark?

  • Why is it important to learn about fossils of ancient animals?

  3. Create your own fossil together for the lab. Mold and cast fossil, plus write lab per usual format, using all evidence that is gathered to answer the essential question.

  “Ugh, maybe we do need to help each other. He has a terrible rubric, doesn’t he?” Ivy groaned. “I always lose random points for spelling or missing part of a sentence.”

  “Well, we won’t miss anything on our lab this time,” Madison said. “We’re in this thing together, and I want an A, too.”

  Ivy feigned a look of annoyance then smiled.

  “The only fossilized thing we should really think about is our bad relationship,” Madison joked. “We’ve unearthed it, chipped away the dirt, and found it again.”

  Ivy’s jaw dropped. “That is way too deep for me.”

  “Ha!” Madison giggled. “Deep. I get it!”

  Ivy leaned in and whispered, “Just keep me posted on that thing we talked about. You’re the one who knows what’s right for you.”

  “Yeah,” Madison said.

  “And I’ll totally tease you like crazy when you make up with Hart and start going out again, ’kay?”

  “I am not going to go out with Hart again.”

  “You’re not?” Ivy smiled. “Good for you.”

  “Why is that good? You’re still going to go after him, aren’t you?” Madison asked.

  “No, Maddi
e! Stop!” Ivy yelped. “Look, you want the truth,” she whispered now so it didn’t look like they were yelling and making a scene.

  “I want the truth.”

  “Hart … he’s okay. But I did a lot of thinking after I totally embarrassed myself. I need someone who makes me laugh all the time. And you need someone who says things to you like, ‘I’ve liked you ever since I met you,’ or someone who laughs at all those incredibly lame jokes you tell. A weirdo like you, basically.”

  When the bell rang, Madison said good-bye to Poison Ivy and zipped to eighth period. Mrs. Wing had swapped sections so she could have an extra tech class this week. Normally, Tuesdays were reserved for American cinema.

  Egg and Drew corralled Madison as soon as she walked into the room.

  “What is your problem?” Egg asked.

  “What?” Madison was confused. “What problem?”

  “You dissed Hart,” Drew said. “What’s that about?”

  “I did not diss him. I didn’t diss anyone. Back off.”

  “You totally dissed him!” Egg said. “Someone saw you do it.”

  “Prove it,” Madison said.

  When the second bell rang, Dan entered and took a seat near Madison and the other guys. But he didn’t say much.

  “Madison,” Mrs. Wing cooed as she strolled by, her bracelets jangling as always. “I heard about Phinnie and I’m sorry.”

  Madison’s face went white. “What do you mean? Is there something I don’t know?”

  “Oh, my, no!” Mrs. Wing quickly added. “No, of course not! I meant simply that I’m sorry that he relapsed and had to visit the clinic again. Dr. Wing told me.”

  “But he’s awesome now!” Dan piped up. “My mom and I fed him this morning.”

  “That’s a very nice update,” Mrs. Wing said to Dan.

  “Except I left out the part where he farted a lot,” Dan added.

  Madison blushed, even though Dan wasn’t talking about her. Maybe it was just the word, fart. He was giving her a lot of attention.

  “You’re annoying, aren’t you?” Madison said.

  For the rest of class, she tried to keep her focus on technology, but her brain kept buzzing with other stuff: Phinnie, Hart, and even Dad. By the time class ended, Madison leaped out of her seat in total go-mode. She hurried out of the room and headed for her locker. Of course, she had to hurry. Dad and Stephanie were taking Madison out to dinner, and she needed to get home and change into something dressier.