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Back The Copycat Save as PDF
Chapters (68)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Epigraph
  4. One
  5. Two
  6. Chapter One
  7. Three
  8. Four
  9. Five
  10. Six
  11. Chapter Two
  12. Seven
  13. Eight
  14. Nine
  15. Chapter Three
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Chapter Four
  19. Twelve
  20. Thirteen
  21. Fourteen
  22. Chapter Five
  23. Fifteen
  24. Sixteen
  25. Chapter Six
  26. Seventeen
  27. Eighteen
  28. Nineteen
  29. Chapter Seven
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Chapter Eight
  34. Twenty-Three
  35. Twenty-Four
  36. Twenty-Five
  37. Chapter Nine
  38. Twenty-Six
  39. Twenty-Seven
  40. Chapter Ten
  41. Twenty-Eight
  42. Twenty-Nine
  43. Thirty
  44. Thirty-One
  45. Chapter Eleven
  46. Thirty-Two
  47. Thirty-Three
  48. Thirty-Four
  49. Thirty-Five
  50. Chapter Twelve
  51. Thirty-Six
  52. Thirty-Seven
  53. Thirty-Eight
  54. Chapter Thirteen
  55. Thirty-Nine
  56. Forty
  57. Forty-One
  58. Forty-Two
  59. Chapter Fourteen
  60. Forty-Three
  61. Forty-Four
  62. Forty-Five
  63. Forty-Six
  64. Forty-Seven
  65. Chapter Fifteen
  66. The Following Summer
  67. About the Author
  68. About the Publisher

For the first time in a while, Digger laughed out loud, a real belly laugh that made Ali wish he laughed like that more often.

Emily was aghast. “You ran some guy’s underwear up a flagpole?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Digger, oblivious to Emily’s tone.

“This is so weird,” Emily grumbled.

Ali didn’t say anything, but she agreed with Emily. It was weird.

“What are you doing these days, Digger?” Mrs. Arai asked.

Carefree Digger became guarded. “This and that. We better get going, Ali-Cat. Your mom’s going to wonder where we are.” He pointed at the tote in Ali’s arms. “What’s all this?”

Mrs. Arai beamed. “Ali said you’re planning a movie-themed party for your grandmother’s birthday. I had some leftover party supplies and donated them to the cause.”

Digger shot Ali a questioning look and smiled at Mrs. Arai. “We can’t take all this.”

“You can and you will. It’ll just collect dust here. And your grandmother is such a legend. It would be my honor if you used them. The only thing I’d like back is the red carpet.”

Digger paused. Ali could almost hear the argument in his head. In the end, he nodded. “Thank you, Tina, that’s very generous. I’ll be sure to tell my grandmother what you donated. I haven’t seen a guest list, but I’m sure your family is on it.”

ALI’S DIGGER RULES (AMENDED)

  1. Don’t tell anyone that Digger is a Copycat.
  2. Don’t mention Teddy Sloane.
  3. Don’t force Digger to talk when he doesn’t want to.
  4. Don’t complain. It won’t change things.
  5. Don’t point out jobs in the newspaper to Digger.
  6. Digger has MANY secrets!

“Hooray!” shouted Emily. “I love parties!”

Ali gave her a weak smile and wondered how much trouble she was in.

Digger reached for the front-door handle. “On that note, it’s time to hit the road.”

“I’ll walk you out,” said Mrs. Arai.

The two adults headed outside. Ali started to follow, but was held back by Emily.

“How strange was that?”

“Strange.”

“Just think! You and I could have been sisters if our parents had stayed together. I always wanted a sister. I hate being an only child.”

Ali wouldn’t want another mother. But Emily was right: being an only child was no fun. If she had a brother or sister, moving around might not have been so lonely.

Emily brightened. “How about this? As of right now, you are my long-lost sister.” She put her arm around Ali’s shoulder, pulled out her phone, and held it out in front of them. “Say ‘Sisters’!” she cried. “I am so posting this.” She captioned the picture SISTERS. “What’s your phone number and username? I want to add you to my contacts so we can text.”