Front Page Face-Off Read Free Page A

oblivion!”
    â€œShe wouldn’t be the focus of the article,” I explained. “Just an example.”
    Jenner raised an eyebrow.
    â€œAn anonymous example.”
    Jenner refused to blink, and I groaned. “Come on! People care more about dating than frogs.”
    â€œYeah, that’s a good quote for your tombstone,” she said. “We should order now so it’ll be ready when Renee’s done ripping your head off.”
    â€œFine. Why don’t we stop by Ben’s house and ask him which he thinks is better?”
    Jenner smirked at me. “You just want a chance to hear him say you’re the lead reporter again.”
    â€œWell, I didn’t see him all summer,” I said. “He went to France for the first half and then Major made us go to Yosemite for most of the second.”
    â€œFine.” Jenner sighed. “I have time to kill.”
    â€œGreat! Let me just drop off my stuff and tell Major.” Mom was out of the country on business for two weeks, and she’d invited Major over to “bond” with me. … A nice way of saying she’d found a free babysitter.
    We reached my house, and Jenner followed me into the hallway. “Major?” I called.
    â€œIn the kitchen!” bellowed a gravelly voice. “Come tell me what you want for dinner.”
    Jenner poked me. “He cooks? When it’s just me and my dad, he never cooks.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be impressed. Everything he makes comes from a box with ‘Just add water!’ on the outside.”
    â€œYeah, but …” Jenner sniffed the air. “At least he makes cake.”
    When I walked into the kitchen, Major had an assortment of boxes and bags lined up on the counter. It was a little weird to see him wearing an apron over his military fatigues, but Major liked to stay professional at all times. Even his pajamas were government issue.
    â€œGirls, hello!” he boomed. “How was school?”
    â€œAre you baking cake?” Jenner asked.
    Major grinned and pointed to a fluffy white monster with brown crust. “Angel food cake. Would you like a slice?”
    Jenner’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please .”
    Major grabbed a plate for her. “How about you, Delilah?”
    â€œJust a small one,” I said. “We’re heading back out in a minute.”
    Major put down the plate and pulled a slip of paper from his pocket, studying it for a moment before glancing up at me. “Do you have any homework?”
    â€œNot on the first day of school.” I unzipped my backpack so he could see inside, and Major wrinkled his nose.
    â€œ What is that smell?”
    I took a whiff of Paige’s signature scent, which was starting to overwhelm the aroma of baked cake. “Oh, just perfume.” I held out my hands for a plate of spongy goodness, but Major kept it just out of reach.
    â€œYou know how your mother feels about perfume, Delilah.” He referred to his paper again. “Not until … you’re in high school.”
    â€œIt’s not mine!” I whipped the Little Debbie invite out of my bag. “It’s from this.”
    Major took the invite from me, his lips moving as he read until they eventually curved into a smile. “Well, this is great, Delilah!”
    â€œYeah, but I’m not going to join,” I said.
    Major clucked his tongue and passed me a slice of cake. “That’s too bad. The social skills you develop now willshape your future.” He sounded as if he’d memorized the words out of a parenting manual.
    â€œMy future is journalism, Major.” I ripped off a chunk of cake and popped it into my mouth. “And being part of a snob society won’t help.”
    Major leaned against the counter. “I hate to break this to you, Delilah, but the ‘snob society’ is very influential in the news world. Who do you think owns all the