Free Sleepover Stakeout (9780545443111) by Kim Harrington

was be Darcy’s friend. I sat beside her and made little circles on her back with my hand. “I’m sorry about the braces,” I said gently.
    â€œSorry?” She wiped the chocolate off her mouth with a napkin. “Don’t be sorry. They’re awesome!”
    Shocked, I stuttered, “Uh — what?”
    â€œThe pain stinks, but like you said, that’s only for a day or so. Check them out!” She smiled huge, and I really saw the braces for the first time.
    They were purple.
    My eyes widened. “Purple braces? I didn’t know those existed.”
    â€œMe neither,” Darcy said excitedly. “I thought I’d be stuck with those same metal ones like everyone else. But my mom told me I could get colored ones. This changes everything. These things rock!”
    Darcy wore either black or purple every day, and the braces totally matched her tough-chick style. They actually did look kind of cool on her!
    I wished I felt the same about the new addition to my face.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked, realizing I wasn’t as happy as she was.
    I filled her in on the Durkin brothers’ appearance at the mall and what Slade had said about me looking ugly.
    Darcy rolled her eyes. “Slade’s such a jerk. He just wanted to impress his older brothers, and you impress a Durkin by being mean. You happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time. You are not ugly and your glasses look great. I swear.”
    She held out her fist like a solemn oath. I half-heartedly bumped it. “Thanks,” I muttered, but I knew she was just trying to make me feel better. She’s my best friend. That’s her job.
    Darcy knows me well, so she changed the subject. “Tell me all the details about yesterday’s investigation,” she prodded.
    As we wolfed down our lunches, I filled her in on everything, from the lack of leads to the fact that the Old Witch was totally harmless, even sweet.
    Darcy settled back into her seat and furrowed her brow. “Really.”
    I raised my hands. “So we’re out of options. I have no idea what to do next.”
    The bell rang, and we got to our feet.
    â€œPartners in Crime meeting at my house after school,” Darcy said, picking up her tray. She leaned toward me and whispered, “I have a theory.”
    Â 
    That afternoon, I waited for Darcy at my locker. I held my books in my arms and leaned up against the cool metal, watching kids get ready to leave for the day.
    Down the hall, Zane and Maya were walking side by side. They’d have to pass me to get to the exit. I didn’t want to stare, so I pretended to gaze straight in front of me, but really my eyes looked left, trying to sneak peeks at them. As they got closer, I realized they were talking in low voices. I strained to hear. Were they talking about whatever Zane’s secret was? Dang it, why couldn’t I be Spider-Man right now? (Not for shooting webs out of my wrists — that’s gross — but for his superhearing.)
    Maya seemed to be trying to convince Zane of something. She was pleading with her hands while he had a sheepish, unsure expression on his face. And then he noticed me.
    Yep, Zane caught me staring. He stopped walking and his eyes widened. Maya whispered something to him, and he shook his head quickly and started walking faster in my direction.
    I straightened up, and every nag my mother ever said ran through my head. Don’t slouch! Pull your shoulders back. I flattened myself against the locker, and the dial poked me in the back. I winced and lowered my face. Keep your head up, Mom’s voice said. My thumb nervously went to my mouth. Don’t bite your nails!
    I almost yelled “Fine!” out loud, but thankfully I wasn’t completely insane in that moment. Only mildly crazy.
    I thought Zane was going to continue to power walk by, but as he got to where I was standing, he slowed. He looked up — right at