Ali should have spent the evening working on the science project, but she forgot all about it when Gigi suggested they train. Gigi was in an extra good mood; Digger said she’d found the bag of decorations, put two and two together, and had given him a long list of invitees.

“This party is getting out of hand,” he muttered. “We should just take her out to dinner.” But Ali didn’t think he meant it. She’d tried to talk to him about Alfie after school, but he’d brushed her off. Should she tell him that Alfie had said he needed to talk? No—that would only make him feel worse. She left him in his workshop and joined Gigi upstairs.

“Tonight, I want you to keep changing so we can see if you can think on your feet,” said Gigi. “I’ll tell you what to copy.”

It was a good idea in theory, but Ali was bested by her first transformation, a snapping turtle. She spent fifteen minutes stuck on her back, turtle feet flailing, when she tripped over a pair of Gigi’s shoes. Next, Ali the raccoon was mesmerized by the sunflower seeds on the windowsill and spent twenty minutes eating them one by one, which was unpleasant for a girl who detested sunflower seeds. Ali the hyena was too noisy, Ali the snail was a boring blob, and Ali the big bad wolf bared her teeth at poor Gigi, who huddled under the covers in mock fear. Her last transformation was into Topsy, the lazy cat who lived next door and who spent her days snoozing on the front porch.

“You’re improving,” crowed Gigi when Ali collapsed on the carpet. “It’s remarkable when you consider it’s been such a short time.”

“How long until I’m as good as Digger?”

Gigi laughed. “Digger is talented, but he can be lazy about practicing. He only bothers to change into three things with any regularity.”

Ali could only think of two: a dog and Ali. “What’s the third?”

Gigi leaned forward and whispered, “Sometimes he turns into the Incredible Hulk when no one else is around. I came downstairs the other day to ask him a question and found the Incredible Hulk eating a grilled-cheese sandwich and watching a ball game.”

Ali sat up. “No way!”

Gigi nodded. “Nearly scared me to death. He used to change into the Hulk all the time when he was a boy. Teddy liked to turn into Spider-Man.”

“I can’t believe it.” She pictured Digger as the Incredible Hulk and burst into laughter.

“It’s a good reminder that you need to have fun with your powers. When I was young, I used to go to the woods and turn into a rhinoceros. I’ve always been partial to a horn.”

“I want to be the best Copycat ever,” said Ali.

Gigi shook her head. “Be the best Ali. That will be enough.”