Simon slowly looked up at Lexi. A smile spread across his face. “I know they would. They keep saying that we aren’t moving that far, and that we can come back to visit,” Simon said. He gave Bandit’s back a long pet.
“I can get a ride, too,” Lexi said. “I’m sure of it.”
Lexi set Luna down, and the puppy toddled over to Bandit. The two dogs smelled each other’s noses, and Luna nuzzled up against Bandit’s belly to rest. They looked like they’d been buddies forever.
“Maybe we can try to meet up on weekends,” Simon said. “Then our parents can talk, too.”
Lexi knew her parents would like that. They would miss Simon and his family, too.
While Lexi was standing there, she felt something cold and wet on her hand. She knew at once it was Chance, Mr. Power’s dog. With a quick survey of the room, she located Lucky, the cat that lived in the pet store. Lucky looked to be asleep on top of the food shelf, but she was watching everyone out of a half-opened eye. Peeking out from under her tail was Gus, the fearless mouse. There was definitely something odd about Power’s Pets, but in a good way. “And I think you should try to come help in the store sometimes,” Lexi added. “I know Max, Henry, and Sadie will want to see you.”
“That would be great,” Simon said.
“I could sure use the extra hands,” Mr. Power said. “There’s a lot to keep track of around here. We’re getting some special new puppies in early next week.”
Lexi knew that the puppies could not be as special as Luna — could they? She wondered if the new puppies might do amazing tricks, too.
“We should head out now,” Simon suggested. “I think your pup needs a nap soon.”
Luna opened her jaws into a wide yawn and her long tongue rolled out.
“You’re right,” Lexi agreed, “but maybe we can get an ice cream on the way home?”
“Sounds good,” Simon said, sounding thoughtful.
As they left the store, Lexi turned back to wave. Mr. Power and Chance both smiled at her. Lexi looked forward to the next time she’d be back, but she had a busy week ahead. Simon had a lot to teach her about dog training before he left.
“You know,” Simon started, “I feel like we did a good job earlier telling each other the truth.”
“Yeah,” Lexi agreed.
“So I need to tell you something else.”
Lexi gulped. Luna hadn’t done her trick. There weren’t any sparkles in the air. What did Simon have to say?
“Lexi, I’ve wanted to tell you this for a while.” Simon took a deep breath. “Pumpkin isn’t my favorite ice cream flavor anymore. It’s vanilla.”
“What? Vanilla? Are you kidding me?” Lexi exclaimed. “I don’t know if I can be best friends with someone whose favorite flavor is vanilla!” Lexi looked at Simon and laughed. It felt good to have her best friend back.
Sure, he was moving and that would change some things. But it didn’t always take magic to know the truth. Lexi knew that she and Simon would always be great friends. And their dogs would, too.
Text copyright © 2014 by Kristin Earhart
Cover and interior art copyright © 2014 by Scholastic Inc.
All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. SCHOLASTIC, PUPPY POWERS, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
First printing, January 2014
Cover art by Vivienne To
Cover design by Jeannine Riske
e-ISBN 978-0-545-62070-3
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
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