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
But hadn’t Murray said she was the most interesting person at Princess Elizabeth School? He wouldn’t have said that about Ali before she became a Copycat. No, being the best Ali was not enough.
Her mother stopped to say goodnight when she got home from her evening shift. “How’d you do?”
“It was so much fun. I’m getting better.”
“I’m glad. But don’t ignore your schoolwork, okay? You’re being careful when you train?”
“Uh-huh. I haven’t left the house yet.”
“Good. Digger says being an animal out in the world can be dangerous. No going outside unless he’s with you. Promise?”
“Promise.”
Emily appeared at Ali’s locker first thing the next morning. Flustered, Ali blurted out, “I promised Cassie I’d eat lunch with her today. She’ll have to eat alone unless I eat with her.” She said it fast, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
Emily flinched. “Oh.” She held out her hand. “Can you give me your part of the presentation so I can put it all together this weekend?”
How could she tell Emily she’d forgotten to do it? She couldn’t. “I forgot it at home,” she said.
Emily threw up her hands. “How could you forget it at home? I need to finish it this weekend. You know how busy I am during the week.”
Ali knew. “I’m so sorry.”
Emily shook her head. “You just made my life super hard, Ali.”
Taylor came around the corner. “I’ve been looking all over for you, Emily. What’s wrong?”
Emily didn’t try to hide her frustration. “Ali forgot the presentation at home, so now I can’t work on it this weekend.”
“That’s awful,” Taylor said, like Ali’s forgetfulness was a crime. “But it’s okay. I just overheard Cassie and Murray talking about how they’re going to Tin Can Beach with her tomorrow afternoon. Ali can drop it off on the way, right, Ali?”
Ali studied Emily’s face to see if this was an acceptable proposal. The last thing she wanted to do on a Friday night was homework, but this was her fault, so she would.
But Emily wasn’t interested in the project now. “You’re going to Tin Can Beach tomorrow?” She said it like an accusation, like Ali was doing something she shouldn’t.
Ali’s head began to throb. She wasn’t sure how to respond, afraid if she said the wrong thing she’d make Emily angrier.
“I—” she began, but Emily cut her off.
“Never mind—I’ll do the presentation myself. Like always.” Without a second glance at Ali or Taylor, she stomped off.
ALI’S RULES ABOUT HOMEWORK
- Do it.
- Do it.
- Seriously: do it.
Stunned, Ali turned to Taylor, who shook her head. “She just wants to do well. Her parents expect a lot. You know what that’s like.”