Chapters (68)
- Cover
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- One
- Two
- Chapter One
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Chapter Two
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Chapter Three
- Ten
- Eleven
- Chapter Four
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Chapter Five
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Chapter Six
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Chapter Seven
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Chapter Eight
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Chapter Nine
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Chapter Ten
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Chapter Eleven
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Chapter Twelve
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Chapter Thirteen
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Chapter Fourteen
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Chapter Fifteen
- The Following Summer
- About the Author
- About the Publisher
Emily caught Ali staring. “My mom makes my lunch and wants me to be super healthy.”
Ali flushed. “Sorry—it looks yummy.”
Emily twirled a noodle around her pink fork and handed it to Ali. “Here, try some. It’s a light version of fettucine alfredo and it’s actually pretty good. I’m not going to offer you any kale. It’s gross.” She seemed her normal self again, which was a relief.
Ali took a bite and smiled. “I love it!” Maybe Digger could try making this instead of spaghetti or plain old mac and cheese.
“Are you wearing Emily’s sweater again?” Taylor asked, eyebrow raised.
Surprised, Ali ran her hands along the soft wool. “I love it.”
Emily smiled. “It’s not my sweater anymore, Taylor.”
Taylor raised her eyebrows and turned her attention to Jillian.
Emily pulled out her notebook. “I’ve been thinking about how we should do this. How about we do a PowerPoint presentation of our data, using my pictures and funny videos to make it more entertaining?”
“We can work on it in the computer lab tomorrow.” Ali’s promise to Cassie was forgotten.
Emily scrunched her face. “Why would we do that? We can just use our own computers.”
Ali’s cheeks burned. “I don’t have a computer.”
“Can’t you use your parents’ computer?”
“They don’t have one either.”
“What do you mean?” Taylor sounded incredulous. “Everybody has a computer.”
Ali gave her stock answer, the one that didn’t require her to tell people that her parents couldn’t afford a computer. “My dad doesn’t like computers.”
Emily did a double take. “He doesn’t like computers?”
“How do you do your homework without a computer?” chimed in Jillian.
“I borrow one from the school or work in the computer lab,” said Ali, desperate to change the subject. “How do you want to divide up the tasks?” she asked Emily.
But the table wasn’t finished. “I know a program where needy kids can apply to get used computers for free,” offered Taylor. “My mom is on the board of directors.”
Ali wished for a black hole to jump into.
“You need a computer,” Jillian confirmed.
Ali wanted to scream “Of course I do!” but instead said, “I’ll ask him again. Maybe he’ll change his mind.” Everyone gave her an encouraging nod.
As far back as she could remember, most of Ali’s Christmas presents had been donated by the food bank her family frequented. Her skates were supplied by local service clubs. Her mother picked through used clothing stores for the family’s wardrobe. Her parents applied for every free thing and program they could because there was never enough money. Ali knew they’d apply to get her a computer if she asked them to, but now that she was older, taking other people’s cast-offs was mortifying.
ALI’S RULES FOR WHEN EVERYTHING YOU OWN BELONGED TO SOMEONE ELSE FIRST