Riley by Susan Hughes Read Free Book Online

days, but Kat and Grace had become friends. Not best friends, like Kat and Maya—they did almost everything together. Maya liked to tease Kat and make her laugh. She said, “You love puppies, but your name is Kat? That’s crazy!” In return, Kat helped Maya with school projects and told her silly jokes. They had been in the same class since kindergarten, but not this year.
    But now Kat had a new friend: Grace. And Maya had agreed to try to be friends with Grace too, even though the girls didn’t know each other at all, even though they didn’t seem to have much in common. Grace was quiet. Maya wasn’t. Grace had trouble saying how she felt about things. Maya did not.
    Kat was keeping her fingers crossed that her two friends—her best friend and her new friend—would get along. This was the first time they were going to hang out together. They were going to Tails Up! together, and Kat had invited both girls to come over for dinner after. Maya had been to Kat’s house at least a million times, but it would be Grace’s very first time.
    â€œWell, how lovely!” Ms. Mitchell looked pleased. “Any puppy would be very lucky to have you three looking after him. Have fun, girls!”
    Kat and Grace hurried out of the school and across the playground. They stopped to look for Maya. They were all walking to Tails Up! together.
    â€œSorry I’m late.” Maya ran up, trying to catch her breath. “Okay, let’s go. But just tell me one thing: did I miss the answer to the joke?”
    â€œOh, right, the joke!” Grace said grinning. She rolled her eyes. Every morning, Kat told a joke. Today it was, “Why are dalmatians not good at hide-and-seek?” As usual, she made her friends wait forever before she told them the answer.
    â€œSo tell us, Kat-Nip,” Maya demanded. “Answer.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Kat teased. “You don’t want to guess again?”
    â€œOh, please. Put us out of our misery,” Maya said. “Right, Grace?”
    â€œRight!” Grace chimed in.
    â€œHere goes: dalmatians aren’t good at hide-and-seek because they’re always spotted!” Kat said.
    â€œAgh!” moaned Grace and Maya.
    â€œWorst joke ever!” Maya complained happily, as they all rushed toward Tails Up!

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