Alexis and the Missing Ingredient Read Online Free PDF

confidently Mia managed the whole thing. We were weaving in and out of people in Penn Station and then onto a subway, then off a subway, then upstairs, downstairs, upstairs. And she knew where she was going the whole time! I may be a leader when it comes to business, but Mia is a leader when it comes to travel, that’s for sure! Even crossing the street, Katie and I were chatting at one point and weren’t paying attention. Mia had to stick her arm out to keep us from being run over by a turning taxi.
    â€œPhew!” I said. “Thanks!”
    â€œYou’ve got to pay attention,” cautioned Mia. “Ihave to get you girls home in one piece!”
    I was impressed. Just a few hours ago my mother was reprimanding me for walking alone in the mall, and here was Mia, navigating the subway and the city. I suddenly remembered I needed to text my dad.
    We r in the city. Having a gr8 time!
    We made our way to Mia’s dad’s apartment, which was downtown, according to Mia. It was kind of weird to think of living in the city, but I guess to Mia it was just normal. I, for one, could never get used to the noise of the traffic and the bustle of the sidewalks and the constant activity. It was so foreign to me. It seemed Katie felt the same way. She and I couldn’t stop staring at people—a guy with a Mohawk and tattoos, a homeless lady in layers of rags, a mom pushing triplets in a stroller. There was so much to see!
    Mia laughed at us as our eyes bulged out of our heads. “Guys, don’t stare!” she admonished us in a whisper. “It’s rude. And sometimes people get mad, like, ‘Yo! What are you lookin’ at?’ ” she joked in a thick New York accent.
    Katie’s eyes were wide. “But how can you not look? I just cannot stop staring at everyone!”
    Mia shrugged. “It’s just, like, whatever , to me. To each his own.”
    â€œHuh,” I said, still boggled.
    We dropped off our stuff at Mia’s dad’s place, which was very cool. He’s an architect, and his apartment looked like something you’d see in a magazine—all sleek. Then we headed out to meet Ava. Mia walks pretty fast, so I was hustling to keep up with her, and Katie was lagging way behind.
    â€œCome on, chicas!” Mia called over her shoulder. “City pace!”
    Katie and I looked at each other, and it was obvious we both wanted to roll our eyes, but neither of us wanted to gang up on our hostess. I knew then, though, that Katie and I would have to stick together. After all, it would be two city girls and two suburban girls. We’d be the new clueless ones, the ones doing everything wrong, like staring, walking too slowly, not paying attention.
    We rounded a corner and saw throngs of kids pouring out of a building up ahead.
    â€œThis is it!” chirped Mia. “My old stomping grounds! Let’s wait here.” She stopped at the corner.
    Katie and I started to chat idly about school, but Mia kept interrupting to point out people.
    â€œHey, see that lady crossing the street over there? That’s my old math teacher. Supermean!” or “Oh! Look! There’s my best friend from kindergarten, Jack Sproule! I haven’t seen him in ages.”
    â€œDo you want to go closer, so you can talk to people?” I suggested, but Mia declined.
    â€œNo way. It was great leaving most of these people. And there’s no point going back, because people will make a big deal that I’m there, and then we’ll be stuck with a huge group.”
    Katie and I glanced at each other. “O-kaay. If you’re sure . . . ,” we said.
    Mia continued to watch the crowd, like a hawk. It did seem as if she was kind of wistful, like she wanted to still be a part of it all. Shortly, Ava emerged with a pack of kids. Mia started yelling her name and waving wildly.
    â€œAvy!” Mia yelled.
    â€œMimi!” Ava cried as she