mean, Bill has really straightened himself out. He isnât hanging out withMickey and Clay anymore. Heâs got a really good attitude, andââ
Before Becka could finish her sentence, the bedroom door was flung open. Becka dropped her knitting. Lilah sat up straight. Trish leapt to her feet.
All three of them stared in surprise as a girl with a mane of long auburn hair excitedly swept into the room. âHi!â she shouted, her eyes darting from girl to girl, finally landing on Becka.
âBecka!â the girl cried. Stepping over Lilah, she bent down, threw her arms around Becka, and wrapped her up in a tight hug. âBecka! Becka! Iâm so happy to see you!â she squealed.
Her mouth open wide in bewilderment, Becka struggled unsuccessfully to free herself from the girlâs hug.
I canât believe it!â the girl cried. âI just canât believe it! Becka, itâs you! Itâs really you!â
Becka gasped, utterly speechless. Who is this girl? she asked herself.
Iâve never seen her before!
chapter
3
âI just canât believe it!â the girl cried, finally letting go of Becka and taking a step back. She tugged at her thick auburn hair, tossing it back over her shoulder as she shrugged out of her coat. âI just canât believe Iâm here!â
Becka scrambled off the bed and nearly tripped over Lilah, who was climbing to her feet, confusion on her face.
Do I know her? Becka asked herself, staring hard at the intruder, studying her face, struggling to call up some memory of her.
Have I ever seen her before?
She was about Beckaâs size, but with a full figure.
She wasnât exactly pretty. But she was very dramatic looking with her flowing auburn hair down past her shoulders, round, gray eyes, and full lips coated in dark lipstick. She wore a bright orange sweater that clashed with her hair and a green miniskirt over black tights.
Becka couldnât help but notice the girlâs hands, which were balled into tight fists at her sides. They were so big. They seemed to be the wrong size, out of proportion for the rest of her.
âThe door was open downstairs, so I let myself in. Do you believe I moved right next door?â the girl gushed. âIsnât that the most amazing coincidence?â
Who is she? Becka wondered, frantically searching her memory. She saw tears form in the corners of the girlâs big gray eyes.
Sheâs so emotional, Becka thought. So excited to see me. So overjoyed. I must know her. I must.
She turned to Trish for help. But Trish only returned her glance with a wide-eyed shrug. Lilah was staring at the girl too, bewilderment on her face.
Oh, Becka, you look exactly the same!â the girl cried and stepped forward to wrap Becka in another emotional hug.
âSo do you,â Becka managed to reply, staring over the girlâs shoulder at Lilah, motioning for Lilah to help her.
Hi , Iâm Lilah Brewer,â Lilah said when the girl had once again let go of Becka. âI donât think weâve met. And this is Trish. Trish Walters,â Lilah said, pointing to Trish who had backed up to the window seat.
âHi.â Trish gave the girl an awkward smile. Her silver braces gleamed in the light from the window.
The girl turned away from Becka, a startled expression on her face, as if she hadnât realized there were other people in the room. âI remember you two,â she said, wiping the tears from her eyes with her big hands. âIâm Honey Perkins.â
Who? Becka wondered, staring hard at the girl.
Do I know a Honey Perkins?
Is this some kind of a mistake or something?
Honey turned back to Becka, her smile growing wider. I canât believe it. I just canât. Do you believe weâre moving in next door? Isnât that amazing?â
âYeah,â Becka said, trying to work up some enthusiasm. âItâs amazing!â âWow!â Honey