Alexis and the Missing Ingredient Read Online Free PDF Page B

spotted us. The two of them began running toward each other.
    They united in a big hug, wagging side to side really hard. I was smiling so hard, my face hurt, and I wondered again how Katie must feel right now, but I didn’t want to turn to stare at her. Eventually, Ava and Mia separated, but they were still holding hands when they came over to us.
    Ava gave Katie a hug and a grin and then gave me a kind of half hug, too. It was awkward, because I am not a big hugger, and I don’t really know her, anyway, but we laughed. It was nice to see her.
    â€œAre you ready?” asked Mia.
    â€œReady for anything!” Ava declared.
    â€œDid you bring your bag?” Mia asked, looking around Ava to see if she had it in her other hand.
    â€œMy bag?” asked Ava blankly.
    â€œFor sleeping over!” said Mia, exasperated.
    â€œOh! Was I supposed to bring my bag?”
    â€œDuh!” teased Mia.
    â€œSorry!” said Ava. “Well . . . maybe I can go home and just catch up with you guys later?” She seemed kind of bummed, and to me it seemed pointless.
    â€œYou can borrow some of my stuff,” I offered with a shrug.
    â€œYeah, me too,” said Katie. “Don’t go home.”
    Ava laughed. “Okay! But I do wish you’d told me you were going to meet me at school—I have a sweet outfit all planned out for dinner. Anyway, where are we off to now? The usual?”
    â€œYou know it!” said Mia as we started to stroll away from her old school.
    Katie and I looked at each other.
    â€œUm, is the usual that churro place?” I asked.
    Ava laughed again. “Yes. At only the best bakery in the city!”
    â€œWell, it depends on what you’re having . . . ,” said Mia seriously.
    â€œOkay, the best hot chocolate place in the city, then,” said Ava confidently.
    â€œFor cupcakes, you have to go somewhere else,” said Mia, turning to us.
    â€œLike where?” I asked.
    Here, Katie actually took the lead and began ticking off places on her fingers. “Magnolia Bakery, of course, then its offshoots: Buttercup Bake Shop and Billy’s. Then there’s Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Oh, and Baked by Melissa for minis. William Greenberg’s. Eleni’s. Yura. Crumbs for major toppings . . .”
    â€œWow!” I said. “I’m impressed. You don’t even live here!”
    Katie laughed. “My mom and I have done the cupcake tour of New York City a couple of times. I do consider myself a local expert.” She pretended to fluff her hair in a joking, show-offy way, and we all laughed.
    â€œI defer to Katie when it comes to New York City baking! No one knows more!” said Mia.
    I happened to glance at Ava and saw her wincea little. Yikes. All these different friendships were kind of a minefield. As soon as you were making one friend feel good, it turned out you were hurting another.
    â€œAva, what are you the expert on?” I asked lightly.
    â€œMe!” Mia declared, and we all laughed again, but for Katie it was definitely a little forced.
    â€œWell, I am an expert on Korean food, since it’s my heritage, and I’m an expert on bookstores. And coffee shops—”
    â€œAnd hot chocolate!” interrupted Mia, turning to open a door and lead us inside City Bakery.
    The cavernous space was dark and industrial-looking, and pretty crowded for a random weekday afternoon. The cases held rich, gooey treats, and most tables along the sides were filled with young, cool-looking people.
    â€œI’ll grab a table! Order me the usual and I’ll pay you right back!” Mia directed Ava.
    â€œGot it!” agreed Ava, like this was a familiar drill. Ava led me and Katie to the back to order, and she filled us in on the choices.
    â€œWe used to always come here after school on Mondays to start off the week on the right foot. Mia used to get just regular hot