Emily cornered Ali after homeroom the next morning. It was clear she was in a horrible mood. “We need to work on our project today. Meet me in the cafeteria at lunch.”
Ali, taken aback, nodded. “Sure.” Had Emily forgotten that she’d already invited Ali to eat lunch with her today? Something was up, but she knew better than to ask what it was.
At lunchtime, she stopped to let Cassie, Murray, and Alfie know she couldn’t eat with them. Except she’d forgotten that Murray and Alfie were occupied elsewhere and that Cassie would be alone. As she approached the table, Cassie flashed her a relieved smile. Ali gulped, but told herself that Cassie would understand. Besides, Ali knew better than anyone that it was possible to survive eating alone.
She blurted out her explanation. “I can’t eat with you today. Emily and I are working on our project.”
Cassie blinked several times, glanced over at Emily’s table across the room, and then stared down at her lunch. Her lack of response was Ali’s undoing; paralyzed, she tried to think of how to make things better. What would Cassie like to hear her say? She knew that telling people what they wanted to hear was the best way to get along.
“I’m just eating with her because of the project. We aren’t friends or anything.” She recoiled at her words, ashamed.
But her instinct was right: Cassie smiled. “Okay. I guess I can go watch Murray and Alfie play. Are we still going to Tin Can Beach this weekend? Murray can come.”
“Sure.”
“Will you eat lunch with me tomorrow?”
Ali nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Emily beckon to her. “See you in science class!” She rushed away, not waiting for a response.
Emily had saved the seat next to her, across the table from Taylor and another girl Emily introduced as Jillian, who wasn’t in any of Ali’s classes. As Ali unpacked her brown paper bag, she couldn’t help but admire Emily’s purple metallic lunch box with its multiple compartments and colorful utensils. Unlike the other kids, who were eating sandwiches or chips, Emily was eating creamy noodles and a kale salad.
Emily caught Ali staring. “My mom makes my lunch and wants me to be super healthy.”
Ali flushed. “Sorry—it looks yummy.”
Emily twirled a noodle around her pink fork and handed it to Ali. “Here, try some. It’s a light version of fettucine alfredo and it’s actually pretty good. I’m not going to offer you any kale. It’s gross.” She seemed her normal self again, which was a relief.
Ali took a bite and smiled. “I love it!” Maybe Digger could try making this instead of spaghetti or plain old mac and cheese.
“Are you wearing Emily’s sweater again?” Taylor asked, eyebrow raised.
Surprised, Ali ran her hands along the soft wool. “I love it.”
Emily smiled. “It’s not my sweater anymore, Taylor.”
Taylor raised her eyebrows and turned her attention to Jillian.
Emily pulled out her notebook. “I’ve been thinking about how we should do this. How about we do a PowerPoint presentation of our data, using my pictures and funny videos to make it more entertaining?”
“We can work on it in the computer lab tomorrow.” Ali’s promise to Cassie was forgotten.
Emily scrunched her face. “Why would we do that? We can just use our own computers.”
Ali’s cheeks burned. “I don’t have a computer.”
“Can’t you use your parents’ computer?”
“They don’t have one either.”
“What do you mean?” Taylor sounded incredulous. “Everybody has a computer.”
Ali gave her stock answer, the one that didn’t require her to tell people that her parents couldn’t afford a computer. “My dad doesn’t like computers.”
Emily did a double take. “He doesn’t like computers?”
“How do you do your homework without a computer?” chimed in Jillian.
“I borrow one from the school or work in the computer lab,” said Ali, desperate to change the subject. “How do you want to divide up the tasks?” she asked Emily.
But the table wasn’t finished. “I know a program where needy kids can apply to get used computers for free,” offered Taylor. “My mom is on the board of directors.”
Ali wished for a black hole to jump into.
“You need a computer,” Jillian confirmed.
Ali wanted to scream “Of course I do!” but instead said, “I’ll ask him again. Maybe he’ll change his mind.” Everyone gave her an encouraging nod.
As far back as she could remember, most of Ali’s Christmas presents had been donated by the food bank her family frequented. Her skates were supplied by local service clubs. Her mother picked through used clothing stores for the family’s wardrobe. Her parents applied for every free thing and program they could because there was never enough money. Ali knew they’d apply to get her a computer if she asked them to, but now that she was older, taking other people’s cast-offs was mortifying.
ALI’S RULES FOR WHEN EVERYTHING YOU OWN BELONGED TO SOMEONE ELSE FIRST
Emily seemed to sense Ali’s discomfort. “Forget computers. What do you want to do, research funny videos or do the first draft of the presentation?”
“Whatever you don’t want to do.”
Emily’s brows furrowed. “I asked what you wanted to do.”
Ali shrugged. Emily should choose.
Emily’s expression turned inscrutable. “Fine. I’ll do the funny videos. Bring your work tomorrow and we’ll put it together.” She peered into her lunch box and frowned. “No cookie!”
Liked they’d rehearsed it, Taylor and Jillian each held out a cookie. The three girls burst into hysterical laughter. Ali laughed too, but didn’t know what she was laughing at. Emily took both cookies and blew her friends a kiss.
Jillian caught Ali’s confusion. “Emily’s mom won’t let her eat cookies, so we each bring an extra one for her.”
“Oh,” Ali said, still missing the joke.
“My mom thinks cookies are unhealthy.” Emily didn’t try to hide her sarcasm. “She’s the queen of diets. Those pink cupcakes the other day? All for show. She likes my friends to think she’s a fun mom.” Emily gobbled the cookies and stood up. “Want to come to the gym? Tom and some boys are shooting hoops. Maybe we can too.”
Ali, a total klutz, hated basketball. “Sure,” she said.
As she followed Emily out of the cafeteria, she saw Cassie was still sitting alone. She waved, but Cassie didn’t wave back.