Bad Best Friend

Friendship, cliques, and middle school drama with a heavy dose of heart--perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead!

Niki Ames can't wait to start eighth grade, that all-important year before high school. She and her best friend, Ava, have shared so many plans for the coming year. But then the unthinkable happens: at gym class pair-up, Ava chooses someone else to be her partner. Niki is devastated. It's clear that Ava wants to be part of the popular group, leaving Niki behind. Niki has to decide who her real friends should be, where her real interests lie. Meanwhile, life at home is complicated. Niki's nine-year-old brother Danny continues to act out more and more publicly. Their mother refuses to admit that Danny is somewhere on the autism spectrum, but it's clear he needs help. Niki doesn't want to be like her brother, to be labeled as different. She just wants to be popular! Is she a bad sister and a bad best friend?

Leseprobe:

1

Everybody stand next to your best friend, the gym teacher said.

I bumped Ava s shoulder with mine.

We were already standing next to each other, of course.

We ve been best friends since third grade, basically since the day she moved here. No. A few weeks after. Still, nearly forever. It s not like we were making a big, momentous decision right there in front of the entire eighth grade. Everybody knows Ava and I are best friends.

So I wasn t worried or anything. Knowing, hundred percent, that you can choose her, and that your best friend will of course choose you right back, right away, in front of everybody, no hesitation? Best feeling in the world.

But Ava didn t bump me back.

I rolled my eyes at Ava and whispered, We re not even supposed to have best friends, I thought.
It s a rule at Snug Island Primary School: We Are All Friends Here! There s a poster saying that at the entrance. Ava and I make fun of how fake it is. Com e on in and start your day with a lie, kids! We walk under those words literally every day: We Are All Friends Here! The only SIPS teacher who d ever admit it s not exactly true, that we re maybe not all friends, not all equal friends, don t even necessarily like each other all that much? It would be Ms. Andry, the ancient gym teacher. She s so over it, no time for that politically correct fakery. Ava and I love how fully fried Ms. Andry is.

Ava wasn t saying anything back to me.

She was looking at her sneakers.

I looked at her sneakers too.

That s why I saw her sneakers step-together-step away from me.

Toward Britney.

I smiled at Ava. My mom always says, Smiles, sunshine, and a quick cleanup make everything better! Why is Ms. Andry always so extra? I whispered to Ava.

Ava always says, Why is Ms. Andry so extra?

This time, Ava didn t say anything.

I mean, what s even her actual plan? I whispered.

Ava forced out a little one-ha laugh. But she still wouldn t look at me.

Ms. Andry pointed her bony witch finger right at me. You! she said.

Do not pee in your pants, Niki, I told myself.

Who are you with? she barked at me.

I was very busy not peeing in my pants so did not have a chance to answer evil Ms. Andry at that time.

Who s your person? Ms. Andry barked at Ava, having realized I was worthless.

Britney, Ava said.

Britney? That s somebody s name? Ms. Andry asked. Which one is Britney?

Ava pointed her thumb at, well, Britney.

Everybody knows Britney. Britney, Isabel, and Madeleine. They re the Squad. Even Ms. Andry had to know that.

Britney leaned toward Ava, my best friend, and whispered into her ear. Ava s heart-shaped mouth puckered into a smile.

So who s yours? Ms. Andry asked me. Trying again.

I was watching Ava. She was whispering something back to Britney. The two of them flicked thei r eyes toward me. When they saw I was watching them, they turned quickly away, in unison.

This isn t calculus, kids, Ms. Andry barked. Just pick your best friend; I don t care who s your partner. There s an even number of you people, come on.

What if our best friend isn t here? Bradley asked.

Oh, like you have a best friend, Chase said.

Eat dirt, Chase, Bradley said. Your best friend is your mom.

My best friend is your mom! Chase said back.

Ava and the Squad were all cracking up at the boys and their loud dissing. Bradley and Chase are best friends. They,