Portia's Exclusive and Confidential Rules on True Friendship Read Free

And besides, Misty doesn’t “know” Portia Avatar. I’ve spoken maybe twenty-five words to her. But I must admit, this new girl is certainly different. Maybe because of her unusualness, the case might be worth pursuing.
    I find myself saying, “Let’s talk more about your ‘friend in need’ later at my mom’s restaurant, Contentment. I’ll be there after four.”
    Misty skips in place. “You mean you might actually consider the case? This is the most joyful news I’ve heard all century!” She stops skipping. “I forgot to tellyou one thing. No one must know anything about this. It’s top secret.”
    I assure Misty that it’s my job as a girl detective to keep secrets. I’m a professional.
    She responds, “Absolutely, of course, for sure.”

Chapter 3
    3:03 P.M., H ALLWAY,
P ALMVILLE M IDDLE S CHOOL
    I load up my books, preparing myself for a long afternoon of homework. As I place one five-pound book after another into my knapsack, I wonder about the case that new girl had brought up earlier at lunch.
    QUESTIONS: What could it possibly be about? Who is the mysterious subject and what does she mean when she says a life is “at stake”? And why the big secret?
    I grab one of the magenta shoulder straps of my bookbag and secure it under my arm, then feel around for the other strap, which is hanging just out of my reach. Suddenly Webster Holiday appears and hands me the strap. He gives me a half-moon smile. “Gravity can be so unkind, Miss Avatar.”
    FACT: Webster Holiday, age eleven (he skipped a grade), has the brightest green eyes in the entire five-mile radius of Palmville. He’s also super smart and possesses a sly sense of humor. Sometimes his jokes fly over me like a soaring California bald eagle, but most of the time, I get what he’s trying for, even if the punch line isn’t always delivered with absolute grace and precision.
    Adjusting the strap on my shoulder, I quietly say, “Thanks, Webster. Did you have even a vague idea of what Killjoy was talking about in class?” Forcing a laugh, I answered my own question. “Of course you did. You’re a total math genius.”
    Webster’s face remains 97 percent expressionless. “I’ve done the numbers and have determined that there’s a high probability that Killjoy’s math quiz willbe sprung upon us in the next forty-two hours.”
    For some unknown reason, I get a major energy boost and continue on my word safari going nowhere. “I’m so not ready for it. Thanks for the warning, though. I know Miss K. is going to throw in some trick questions, and she always adds ridiculous bonus questions too.”
    I look around and notice there’s no Webster anywhere anymore. It’s just me talking to myself—with a surprise new guest. Miss Killjoy is standing right next to me. “Portia, is there something you want to discuss with me?”
    Embarrassment central! “No, Miss Killjoy. I’m perfectly fine. Webster was here, and…never mind.” Staring at my math textbook sitting on the top shelf of my locker, I decide to distract her from thinking too much about my peculiar behavior. “Wow, math is such a mind-boggling subject.”
    Miss K. smiles and responds, “I like to think so. Good afternoon, Portia!”
    Before she picks up on the fact that my sincerity meter is way down below zero, I break free of her piercing eyes and make a run for it, out the door, down the hill covered with painted desert flowers, past the straight line of tall,skinny palms, through a man-made stone path toward town. I head to my after-school job helping out at the dusty wonderland Trash and Treasures, Palmville’s one and only junk shop.
    My brisk walk to Trash and Treasures is accompanied by a sweet-sounding medley of Palmville’s finest bird residents. It’s true that all the birds are extremely happy