Landry in Like Read Free

happened in a while. Sure, I had made some new friends since then, but it still hurt to be excluded.
    India came in just as Mrs. Hearst started to pass out the tests. I felt my stomach flip-flop as I wrote my name at the top. Then I saw the first question, which just happened to be the first flash card Ashanti and I went over. Half the test was multiple choice, which was confusing, but still easier than filling in the blanks. I hated those. The essay questions weren’t easy, but I remembered what Ashanti’s dad told her about putting down everything you did know. I was still writing on the last question when Mrs. Hearst gave us the two minute warning.
    â€œOkay, pens down,” she said. “Pass your exam booklets to your neighbor on your left.”
    The bell rang and I picked up my backpack.
    â€œHow bad did you bomb it?” Ericka asked.
    â€œIt was easier than I thought,” I said. That was sort of true. After all, I had expected not to know anything on the test.
    â€œNext time you need to focus on what’s important,” Tori said. “Not boys and stupid modeling.”
    â€œBoys?” India asked looking at me.
    â€œYeah, she and Vladi kissed. What? Didn’t she tell you?” Ericka asked.
    India gave me a hurt look. “No. I have to get to class.”
    She and Peyton walked away from us. Great, I never told Ericka about the kiss. Tori must have, but now it seemed like India was the last to know. Ugh. And there was nothing I could do about it until later.

Chapter 3
    A fter school , I went to find India. She and Devon were standing at her locker.
    â€œSo you guys—”
    â€œHow could you tell Ericka about you and Vladi kissing before us?” Devon asked.
    â€œI didn’t. I told Tori and she must have—”
    â€œOh, so now Tori gets all the news first?” Devon asked glaring at me.
    â€œI was going to tell you guys. Honest! I was planning to until all this stupid test stuff happened and then Tori was—”
    â€œSave it,” India said, walking past me.
    â€œWait! You guys.” I tried to catch up to them, but they were walking so fast I couldn’t keep up. I felt the tears well up in my eyes, and I couldn’t get on the bus crying so I ran to the bathroom. I was composing myself when I remembered what my mom said about not missing the bus, and I tore out of the school toward the bus line … just in time to see the busses all pulling away. Oh man, my mom was going to kill me. I pulled out my phone debating whether or not I should call her. Then I noticed I had a text from Ashanti asking where I was.
    I wrote back that I missed the bus because India and Devon got mad at me, and I didn’t know when my mom would be done with her meeting. She texted back:
    Ashanti: Yeah, they’re grilling Peyton now on why she didn’t tell them about the kiss, but she said it was your news to tell. Let me see if my dad can come get you, okay?
    I said a silent prayer Mr. Russell was available. Otherwise, I was stuck at the school until at least six p.m.
    Ashanti wrote back. He said he’d meet me at the front of the school. I texted back smiley faces and hearts.
    I went to wait and Mr. Russell’s car pulled up.
    â€œThank you so much,” I said as I got in the passenger seat.
    â€œNot a problem,” he said. “I do have to stop at the grocery store to pick up dinner. Do you mind going with me since it’s on the way?”
    â€œThat’s fine,” I said.
    We drove over to My Lil’ Foodie Mart, and he pulled out his phone. “My wife emails me a list, but then she sends texts with more items. How does she expect me to remember all of that? I’m supposed to make dinner for Ashanti and me tonight, and have I mentioned I hate to cook?”
    â€œMy mom and I get the pre-made dinners from the deli.”
    â€œI thought they just made subs and things like that.”
    â€œYou can order the