Amigas and School Scandals Read Online Free PDF Page A

pattern. I just don’t get it... .”
    She carefully adjusted the circumference of her mushroom formation. I could see three trays beside her with the morsels arranged in straight lines. I grabbed a tray, handed another to Lilly, and began mimicking her circular prototype.
    â€œThank you, Mariana,” she said, smiling at me.
    â€œSo, where are your uncles? I haven’t met them yet.” Lilly asked as she followed my lead.
    â€œOh, they should be here any minute. They’re always late.” My mom stayed focused.
    Her eyes were so wide that, for a second, I thought she was going to bust out a ruler to make sure her design was perfectly symmetrical.
    â€œSo, what are you gonna tell them?” Lilly asked.
    â€œAbout what?” my mom mumbled.
    â€œAbout Teresa?”
    My mom coughed slightly. “Excuse me?”
    â€œWell, I assumed it would come up.” Lilly stopped arranging the mushrooms and peered at my mom.
    â€œI’ll let Lorenzo handle that.”
    â€œOh, okay. I’m just saying that they’d probably want to know.”
    â€œLilly, drop it. You don’t know them,” I warned, shooting her a look.
    â€œFine, it’s just ...”
    â€œI’m sure my dad will tell them. Right, Mom?”
    My mom paused and fixed a pleasant smile across her face. Then, without a word, she swiftly lifted her tray and took it to a nearby waiter.
    â€œReal subtle,” I mumbled.
    â€œWhat? I’m a guest. I thought I could get away with it.”
    â€œYeah, I wouldn’t test that theory too much, especially not with my dad.”
    Before my mom could return to work on her next tray, I heard the front door swing open. I didn’t have to see who it was. My Uncle Roberto’s deep belly laugh traveled halfway across the house. They were here.
    Â 
    The burgers were burnt, though it wasn’t the caterer’s fault. My mom was paranoid about a recent E. coli outbreak and insisted that the red meat be served well-done. As a result, my aunts and uncles (who arrived more than an hour late) were whining about the “tasteless gray stones” doused in ketchup and fancy mustard.
    I introduced Lilly, then left her with Vince so I could spend time alone with Madison and Emily. I had to believe that I could fix our fractured friendship. While I’d fought with them before, usually it blew over after a brief confrontation and a sincere apology. But I had tried that already. Now after ten minutes of sitting across a picnic table with barely a spoken word between us, I was doubting whether Lilly was the only root to our problems.
    â€œSorry my aunt made you put Tweetie inside,” I grumbled, mustard dripping onto my chin. I wiped at my face with a white linen napkin and placed my burger back on my plate.
    â€œPlease, like a dog that small can really cause allergies ... outside, ” Madison griped. “But, whatever. I’m sure Tootsie’s keeping her company.”
    I smiled, nodding as I chewed.
    â€œYa know, these burgers kinda suck. I wouldn’t hire these caterers for your party,” she added as she picked at her uneaten meal.
    â€œWhat party?”
    â€œYour Sweet Sixteen! You are having one, right?”
    My birthday was in less than two months and, aside from a less-than-serious conversation with Lilly and Alex in Puerto Rico, I hadn’t really considered a party. It’s not like I wanted to compete with Madison’s bash. Regardless of the Orlando Bloom sighting, Madison excelled at details. Her party had everything from flowers to match her highlights to a designer gown for her Chihuahua. Anything I concocted would look lame in comparison. But I also didn’t want to overlook the day entirely.
    â€œOh, I don’t know. I guess I’ll have something. If anything, it’ll be pretty low-key.”
    â€œGee, sounds like a blast.” Madison rolled her eyes at Emily, who nodded in agreement.
    I had