Read Online Ruby Reinvented by Ronni Arno - Free Book Online Page A

“Did you kick Shane’s butt?”
    â€œYeah.” Connor smiles. “I don’t know why he always thinks he can beat me. He hasn’t yet.”
    â€œHow much homework do you have? We have to meet my parents in an hour.”
    â€œNot much. I can’t wait for Clara’s. I’m starving.”
    â€œClara’s has the most amazing lobster roll,” Summer whispers to me.
    â€œYum,” I say. I have no idea what a lobster roll is. I picture shellfish doing somersaults.
    Summer nods her head and rubs her belly. “I can’t wait.”
    â€œMe neither.” I glance at Connor. His head is buried in his book.
    â€œLet’s meet at the usual place at five.” Summer starts packing up her backpack.
    â€œSounds good,” Connor says. He looks at me real fast and then looks back down at his book.
    I’m so excited to have dinner with Summer and Connor that I hardly even worry about how I’m going to FaceTime my parents tonight—although it’s always hanging over my head like the threat of rain on a cloudy day.
    At five, Summer and I make our way to the main entrance lobby. Summer plops down on a brown leather couch next to the front desk, and I sit down next to her smoothing my skirt, which lands just above my knees. I want to look nice for Summer’s parents. And Connor. But mostly Summer’s parents.
    Connor walks in a few minutes after us. He’s talking with an older girl, and I realize, after my jaw hurts, that I’m clenching my teeth. Older Girl is laughing at something Connor’s saying, and her brown curls are bouncing up and down. She’s completely adorable, and based on her cargo pants and plain brown sweatshirt, she isn’t even trying to be. Connor sits on the couch next to Summer, and Older Girl sits on Summer’s lap.
    â€œYou weigh a ton.” Summer squirms out from underneath her. “Get off of me.”
    Older Girl laughs and stands up. She looks at me with a great big smile on her face. “Hi. I’m Holly, Summer’s sister.”
    I instantly relax. Older Girl is Summer’s sister. Of course. That’s why she’s here talking to Connor.
    â€œI’m Bea.” I stand up.
    â€œNice to meet you, Bea. Welcome to Midcoast.”
    Summer and her sister look nothing alike, which is why I didn’t immediately realize they were sisters. Holly has brown curly hair, while Summer’s is straight and blond. Summer has blue eyes; Holly’s are brown. They both havethe same cute little nose, which I have to admit, I’m a little jealous of. I have Mom’s wide nose, which works really well on her face.
    Mrs. Kearney comes out of her office, briefcase in hand. “Clara’s Café tonight?”
    â€œYes, Mrs. Kearney,” Holly says.
    â€œHow are you adjusting to life at Midcoast?” Mrs. Kearney asks me as she locks her office door.
    â€œIt’s great.” I smile.
    â€œI’m glad you like it. It must be quite different than home.”
    Oh no. Of course Mrs. Kearney knows who my parents are. They registered me!
    Sweat breaks out on my forehead, and I try to think of something to say to change the subject, but my mind is blank. I hold my breath, waiting for her to say something else and blow my cover.
    â€œCan we bring you back a lobster roll?” Holly asks.
    I exhale.
    Mrs. Kearney laughs. “No thanks, Holly, but you’re sweet to ask. Say hi to your folks for me.”
    â€œWe will,” Holly says. “Have a good night.”
    Summer rolls her eyes and whispers to me, “Holly’s the ninth grade class president. That’s why she’s so insanely friendly with everyone who works here.”
    I nod as if this makes perfect sense. All I know is that Holly just saved my life.
    The front door opens, and Summer leaps off the couch toward the two people who walk in. They must be her parents. I stand and subtly floof my