Emily stared off in the distance. “Dr. Reynolds said that it was sad, but that the herd had to leave the sick one behind so it didn’t drag them all down. But I don’t agree with her. I don’t think you abandon your family. Or your friends.”

Was Emily talking about her?

“I didn’t abandon you,” Ali whispered.

Emily seemed taken aback. “I didn’t mean you. I barely know you. And I know you aren’t what you seem. You say whatever you think the other person wants to hear. You act like whoever you’re with. I don’t need a shadow. I need a real friend. You’re nothing but a copycat.”

Emily’s words hurt Ali, because she knew Emily was right. She was a Copycat, through and through, in every way a person could be one.

“I want to be your real friend,” Ali whispered.

“Do you? A friend does their share. A friend invites friends to sit with them at lunch,” said Emily.

“But you sit with Taylor and hate Cassie.”

“You don’t understand anything, Ali Sloane.” Emily burst into tears and raced away. Stunned, Ali slid down the wall until her bottom touched the floor. This was the worst day ever. She was just like that seal. Everyone wanted to leave her behind.

Thirty-Eight

Alfie was waiting at her locker after school. “Can we talk?”

Ali could barely see the street when they stepped outside, the fog was so thick. It reminded Ali of the spring she was five years old and had pneumonia. Feverish, she had stayed in bed for days, listening to the sound of kids playing outside. It was like they existed in a different world, a world she couldn’t imagine being part of. The fog was the same. Somewhere in the world the sun was shining, but Ali didn’t think she’d ever see the sun again.

“This isn’t about Murray and Cassie, is it?” she asked.

Alfie stopped. “Has something happened?”

Ali shook her head, relieved Murray and Cassie hadn’t complained about her to Alfie.

Alfie took a deep breath. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“What?

“I’m in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

Alfie’s hand shook as he rubbed his forehead. “Something’s happened. I think you know what I’m talking about. . . .”

Confused, Ali stared at him. She’d never seen him so upset. Then it hit her: Digger’s invitation. “Your grandfather’s mad that Digger invited your family to Gigi’s party.”

“What? Oh yeah, I saw Digger out on the porch, putting it in the mailbox. For a second I thought it was my dad. They look so much alike.”

“That must have freaked you out.”

“It did. I knew Granddad would be furious if I talked to him, but I didn’t care. I have so many questions, so I went outside.”