The Best Friend Read Free Page A

exclaimed, staring hard at Becka.
    â€œWow! I’m sorry, but I’m just speechless.”
    â€œMe too,” Becka replied.
    Why can’t I remember her? Am I losing my mind?
    â€œAre you going to Shadyside High?” Trish asked from in front of the window.
    â€œWow,” Honey said, staring at Becka.
    Does she have to stare at me like that? Becka thought uncomfortably. It’s like I’m a hot fudge sundae she’s about to devour!
    â€œDid you used to go to our school, Honey?” Lilah asked.
    Honey, her attention glued to Becka, didn’t seem to hear the questions of the other two girls. “It’s really you,” she said to Becka.
    â€œYeah. It’s me all right,” Becka replied.
    I can’t take much more of this, Becka thought. Who is she and what does she want?
    Wiping more tears from her eyes, Honey finally turned to Lilah and Trish. “Sorry I’m so emotional,” she said, shaking her head. “But Becka and I—You see, we were best best friends in third and fourth grade. And I just can’t believe I’m back!”
    She lunged forward and wrapped Becka in another hug.
    Best best friends? Becka thought.
    I don’t remember having a best friend named Honey.
    My best friend in fourth grade was Deena Martinson.
    Grinning at Becka, Honey pushed her thick hair up high on her head with both hands. “This is awesome. It’s just awesome!”
    Becka sank back onto the edge of her bed. “It sure is.” She motioned for Honey to take the chair in front of her dressing table.
    â€œI’m so excited, I don’t know if I can sit down,” Honey said. But she quickly pulled the chair in front of Becka and sat down, crossing her legs, tapping one sneaker on the carpet.
    â€œSo where did you move after fourth grade?” Lilah asked, dropping down to the floor, leaning back against Becka’s bed and tucking her long legs under her.
    Honey didn’t seem to hear Lilah. She stared at Becka. “When I heard we were moving to Fear Street, my first thought was, Does Becka still live there? And sure enough, you do. In the very same house.”
    â€œYeah. My parents love this old house,” Becka said, glancing across the room at Trish.
    â€œThat’s so great! We’re next-door neighbors now!” Honey gushed.
    â€œWhere have you been living?” Trish asked.
    â€œIt’s just my dad and me,” Honey told Becka. “Mom died last year. It’s been tough, very hard on both of us. Very hard.”
    Is Honey ignoring Trish and Lilah? Becka wondered. Doesn’t she hear their questions?
    Honey had pulled the chair right up in front ofBecka, as if the other two girls weren’t part of the conversation.
    â€œThat’s one reason I’m so happy you’re still here,” Honey continued, beaming at Becka, her enormous gray eyes burning into Becka’s. “So it’ll be a lot like old times. I mean, so we can be best friends again.”
    To her surprise, Becka suddenly found herself feeling guilty. She obviously had been important in Honey’s life. Their friendship obviously meant a lot to Honey. But Becka couldn’t even remember knowing Honey.
    Some friend I am, Becka thought, scolding herself.
    What’s wrong with me, anyway?
    Trish said something from the window seat. Honey ignored her again. “You’ve got to tell me all about yourself,” she told Becka. “We’ve got so much catching up to do.”
    â€œThere isn’t much to tell,” Becka replied uncomfortably.
    Suddenly Becka’s mother poked her head into the bedroom. “How’s it going in here?” she asked, her eyes moving from face to face.
    â€œMrs. Norwood!” Honey shrieked, excitedly leaping up from her chair. She dove across the room and wrapped Becka’s mom in an emotional hug.
    Mrs. Norwood cast an astonished glance at Becka.
    â€œIt’s so good to see