Portia's Exclusive and Confidential Rules on True Friendship Read Online Free PDF Page A

with an urgent e-mail.
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Â 
    Big news! I just discovered that I adore the intricate art of mathematics! It’s so challenging, yet so blissfully logical. I can’t get over what a natural I am at least common denominators. Such ridiculous joy to be able to speak math so fluently. How’s your case going? World Peace!:) Amy
    P.S. Have you ever considered stripes?
    I ignore this message for now, and instead inspect my new subject more closely.
    Misty emerges from a secret hiding place, carrying bits of potato peels in the palm of her hand. She sits on the ground next to me and proceeds to feed Sweet Sunshine, who’s still residing in her pendant. “That’s funny. I haven’t heard a chirp from Sweet Sunshine since we left your mom’s restaurant.”
    Then Misty downloads background data on how she found Maxwell. “We had just moved to Palmville, and I was exploring the backyard when I spotted poor Maxwell. He had dug himself a little secret spot in thefar corner of the yard. I couldn’t believe how sad he looked.”
    I stare into Maxwell’s big, sorrowful eyes.
    Misty continues with the case’s backstory as I take notes on my trusty PDA. “My mom is one hundred percent fed up with my rescuing ways, and now that we’ve moved to Palmville, her no-pets-at-home policy is more strictly enforced than ever. If Maxwell, Ralphie, and Sweet Sunshine were discovered, I’d be totally in the doghouse!”
    I finally get it! “So that’s why the case is a secret. Your mom can’t find out.”
    Misty explains, “I’ll only be grounded until the next millennium.” Her face starts to match the downward direction of Maxwell’s floppy ears.
    My detective genes (which I suspect I inherited from international super sleuth, Patch, my somewhere-in-the-universe-but-not-here-yet dad) are trying to figure out an angle here. “I’ll need to spend a little time alone with the subject.”
    Misty backs away in awe. “Of course. Anything you say.”
    I move closer to Maxwell, who immediately hops away from me, burrowing himself deep inside his temporary home.
    The Case Of Maxwell: The Depressed Orphan Bunny
    IDENTIFYING DATA
    SUBJECT: Maxwell (Last name unknown). Floppy ears, brown eyes, twitchy nose, off-white fur with black spots and a pink belly. Appears to be full grown. Exact age unknown.
    NATURE OF CONTACT: Introduced by a new girl at Palmville Middle School named Misty Longfellow.
    LENGTH OF CONTACT: Less than five minutes. Have yet to pet the subject at the time of this notation.
    BACKGROUND MATERIAL: Subject lives in hiding, after having been rescued by Misty Longfellow, an avid animal lover. Is acting strange, even for a bunny. Refuses food and water. Remains statue still. Maintains a constant in-the-dumps attitude and expresses little to no interest in cheering up.
    DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORY: Orphan Bunny Depression.
    METHODS: More visits and observation.
    A digital meditation bell rings on my PDA, signaling that it’s Indigo inquiring about my whereabouts. I quickly text her back to tell her I’m on my way. After a quick good-bye to Misty, I hop on my bike and head down the winding canyon road, reversing the twisting and turning pathway home.
    Misty rushes after me. “I’m beyond pleased that you’ve taken the case.” She yelps like a wild dog, which inspires the neighborhood dogs to start howling again. Then a flock of small birds trail her as she trots back up the hill to check on her peculiar bunny.
    I feel the dry wind against all the features of my face. My hair dances in every direction. I swipe in front of me to get a clear view of the dusty road that pours out onto Main Street. Then it hits me, almost as hard as the harsh reality that a math quiz is in my very near future. I’ve landed a new case! I wonder if this is how my super-sleuthing dad begins his