Katie and the Cupcake War Read Online Free PDF Page A

Why can’t it be like that year-round?
    During lunch I tried not to think about Callie too much, but she and the PGC girls were making this big show of whispering and then looking over at us.
    â€œThat is so immature,” Alexis said.
    â€œTotally,” Mia agreed. “It must have really upset them when we beat them last year.”
    â€œWe should have another club meeting,” I said. “We need to come up with something really amazing. Tonight we’ll be busy baking for The SpecialDay.” Our friend Mona had a standing order with us, and we baked for her on Fridays.
    â€œHow about tomorrow afternoon?” Alexis suggested. “Mia and I have a soccer game in the morning, but we could do something around two.”
    â€œSounds good,” Emma said. “I have three dogs to walk in the morning, but I’m free in the afternoon.”
    â€œHey, maybe I’ll come watch your game,” I said to Mia and Alexis. “I’ll get my mom to drop me off.”
    â€œThen it’s set,” Alexis said. “We can meet at my house. Everyone should come with ideas.”
    I felt better knowing that we had a plan in place. I was not about to just sit back and let Callie beat us in a cupcake war!
    The rest of the day was pretty good—until English class. Ms. Harmeyer asked everyone to hand in their poems. I had completely forgotten about it!
    It is totally not like me to forget to do my homework. I got a sick feeling in my stomach. After class, I ran up to Ms. Harmeyer’s desk.
    â€œMs. Harmeyer, I forgot to do my poem,” I said. “I was waiting for my mom to help me and then things got . . . I just forgot. Can I do it over the weekend?”
    Ms. Harmeyer shook her head. “I’m sorry, Katie. You’re in middle school now, and my homework policy is very strict.”
    I felt like crying. “Okay,” I said. “I won’t forget again.”
    â€œI’ll be offering an extra-credit assignment soon,” she said.
    I nodded. “Thanks,” I said. “Have a nice weekend.”
    Things got much better once school was over. When I got off the bus, Mom was home, and she was cooking a Mexican-style chicken casserole—from scratch. Dinner was delicious, and at the end, Mom told me to close my eyes. When I opened them, she held out a plate with a perfect cupcake on it. The icing was blue, and there was a chocolate-covered graham cracker sticking up on top that looked like a chalkboard. A tiny white piece of candy next to the board looked like a piece of chalk. And Mom had written in icing on the board: “Back to School.”
    â€œI meant to make this for you on your first day, but I forgot,” Mom said, and her eyes were a little teary. “I’m so sorry, Katie. I’ve got a lot on my mind lately.”
    â€œIt’s okay.” I got up and gave her a hug. “Thisis an awesome cupcake! I’ve got to take a picture.”
    I took out my cell phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to my friends.
    Alexis replied first:
    Nice! Good idea for contest maybe.
    That reminded me. “Mom, can I go to a Cupcake Club meeting tomorrow? And there’s a soccer game in the morning, too.”
    Mom nodded. “Sure. As long as your room is clean.”
    I could still close my closet door, so I knew I was okay.
    â€œYup,” I answered.
    The next morning was one of those hot September days that still feels like summer. By the time the soccer game was over, I was dripping with sweat—and I didn’t even play! So I was glad we had our Cupcake Club meeting in Alexis’s nice, air-conditioned kitchen.
    When we arrived, Emma and her little brother, Jake, were already there. I happen to think that Jake is adorable, but I know he gets on Emma’s nerves sometimes. Even though she has two older brothers, Emma gets stuck babysitting Jake a lot.
    â€œKatie! Katie! I have a lizard!” Jake yelled, running toward