Free Best Friends for Never by Lisi Harrison Page A

was
my
—” But she stopped, suddenly remembering that her mother expected her to be a Dirty Devil.
    Claire didn't know what to say next. If she told her mother what happened at school, Massie would get in trouble. And the thought of Massie's wrath made the insides of Claire's stomach bunch up in fear. She would hunt Claire down like a limited edition Motorola and destroy her like last year's Ugg boots. Claire's appetite for Halloween candy was completely gone.
    “Yeah,” Todd said interrupting her. He widened his eyes just enough for Claire to notice. This usually meant she should shut up and follow his lead, but she couldn't imagine where he was taking her.
    “Mom, I know you wanted her to dress up like Massie, but me and Nate really needed a third, so we begged her and she finally said yes. You're not mad, are you?”
    Claire shrugged and gave a what-can-you-do? look.
    “How could I be mad at that?” Judi smiled lovingly. “I think it's incredibly thoughtful.”
    “Okay,” Jay said as he took the lens cap off his camera. “Picture time.”
    Jay started snapping and Judi directed the kids, suggesting different poses so their pictures would have variety.
    “How did you know about my costume with Massie?” Claire asked Todd through her fake smile.
    “I happened to overhear your phone conversation with Layne,” Todd said through his teeth.
    “Why did you lie for me?” Claire whispered.
    “Sometimes I like to use my powers for good instead of evil. And I figured you could repay me by doing my math homework this weekend,” he said.
    “Fine,” Claire said.
    It was either that or admit to her parents that their dream—to have her and Massie become friends—would never be more than a fantasy.

THE BLOCK ESTATE
MASSIE'S BEDROOM
    6:50 PM
    October 31st
    Massie was standing in front of her full-length mirror, trying to slide the devil horns onto her head without ruining her perfect part. It would have been easier if she wasn't talking on her cell phone at the same time, but she was late.
    “Kristen, try to stop crying,” Massie said. “I can't understand what you're saying.”
    “My” (gasp) “Mom” (sniff) “won't let me” (sharp inhale) “go tonight.” Kristen let out a final sob.
    “Tell her it's an all-girls party.”
    “It's not that.” Kristen blew her nose into the phone. “It's the call she got from Principal Burns about our outfits today. I knew we should never have worn—”
    “No offense, but your mother's way too strict.” Massie straightened the devil's tail on the back of her skirt. “When I got home, my dad gave me a two-second speech about obeying school rules and went right back to downloading an audio book off the Internet.”
    “You're so lucky you have cool parents,” Kristen said.
    “Can't you just sneak out?” Massie asked.
    “No way! I'm already in enough trouble.”
    “Well, it will totally suck if Dylan steals Derrington.”
    Kristen started crying even harder.
    Massie knew that comment was the last thing Kristen wanted to hear as soon as she said it, but she was upset that her friend was going to miss her party. Massie wished that just this once, Kristen would stand up to her parents.
    “Kidding,” Massie said. “I'm sure she won't even have the guts to talk to him.”
    “Yeah, right.” Kristen sniffed. “Ever since she lost weight, she's been a total flirt.”
    “Don't worry. I'll call you, 'kay?” Massie knew she should have been more comforting, but she had five minutes to get Bean in her Dirty Devil outfit, and her makeup wasn't even close to finished.
    After fifteen more minutes of primping, Massie was finally ready. By seven o'clock she was in position by the side gate, ready to greet her guests. It was a warm night, especially for October, which made the backyard feel as magical as it looked.
    “Everyone is going to be talking about this for the next fifty years,” Landon said as she zipped by carrying a venti cup of coffee and a box filled with