Best Friends (Until Someone Better Comes Along) Read Online Free PDF Page A

family was joining them at the lake, then he would make sure his family would be at the lake too.
    My mom put her hand on her hip. I could tell she was annoyed with me, since she breathed in and out twice. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. “That’s your father’s job.”
    â€œWell, there you go, then,” I said simply. “You said it yourself. It’s Dad’s job to be down there, mingling. It’s my job to sit up here and try to take part in the summer you dragged me away from back home.” I smiled and waved my phone in the air. “I’m going to participate in my real life via text, so it will almost be like I’m at home with my real friends.” I looked her straight in the eye and smiled. “Fun summer, huh?”
    She stared back, stone-faced. Then she studied me carefully. “Are you picking your nails again?” she asked. “Why do you do that? Can’t you just leave well enough alone?”
    â€œI like my bloody stumps, thanks.” I started to wiggle my fingers in the air, taunting. But then I realized I’d already pushed my limit, so I quickly stuffed my hands under my body to try to prevent any further conversation about them. “You know it’s a habit.”
    â€œWell, break it,” she demanded, then stormed out of theroom. She banged around in the kitchen for a while, while I stared at the blank screen on my phone.
    Through the open window in my bedroom, I could hear the sounds of people gathering in the common outdoor area in the center of all the cabins. I’d forgotten about the get-to-know-you barbecue. Now I was stuck making a choice: Stay inside with one critical, crabby, and stranger-anxious mom, or brave the group of misfits again and see if there was anyone worth my time. I heard the ding of the tiny microwave—Lean Cuisine dinner!—and knew it was an easy choice.
    When my mom was nuking broccoli, things were about to start to stink.

Chapter Four
    O utside, a campfire was already roaring and several barbecues had been loaded with charcoal. There were probably about thirty people altogether, enough that I should have been able to hide and observe for a while before I’d have to find someone to talk to. But instead of me getting to stand back, coolly watching, my dad spotted me and ruined everything. As soon as he saw me, he called me over to where he stood with a group of people who were all wearing socks and sandals.
    â€œIsabella, I’d like you to meet Chuck and Craig, who run the design team.” Two dudes, both in plaid shorts, said hello. One of them—Chuck? It really didn’t matter—had a piece of lettuce or something stuck in his teeth, and no one had beennice enough to give him a heads-up. I thought about saying something, but my dad spoke again before I got the chance. “And this is John, who does our media strategy.” John winked, and I did my best to smile back. John seemed like a creep. “Of course, you already know Erica Winter, the big boss.” My dad laughed, and Erica the Big Boss joined him even though it wasn’t the least bit funny. The whole scene was disturbing. Erica should have been offended that someone called her Big, when she was anything but, but it didn’t seem to bother her.
    â€œNice to meet you all,” I said, understanding that my job was to smile and pretend to be the great daughter my dad wished he had. “Good to see you again, Ms. Winter.”
    â€œIt’s Erica,” she said. “No need for formality at the lake.”
    â€œRight,” I said, nodding and smiling like a puppet. I watched as my mom picked her way down the cabin stairs, her smile forced. She strolled up to stand beside my dad and greeted the other adults. It was always so embarrassing, watching my mom with adults she didn’t know—she smiled really awkwardly, and said, “So . . .” a lot to make up for any lulls in the