The Best Friend by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

are you doing? Homework?”
    â€œNot yet,” Becka told her. “I’ve been busy with Honey.”
    â€œHoney?” Mrs. Norwood started to unpack the groceries.
    â€œYeah,” Becka said, moving to the counter to help. “Why’d you let Honey go up to my room? You know I hate people trying on my stuff.”
    â€œHuh?” Becka’s mom set down a bag of flour. “What are you talking about, Becka?”
    â€œYou didn’t tell Honey it was okay for her to wait in my room?”
    â€œHow could I?” Mrs. Norwood asked, staring at Becka. “I haven’t been home all afternoon.”

chapter

8
    â€œT hat was so much fun last night,” Becka told Lilah. “I had a great time. Your little brother is a riot.”
    â€œYou ever see anyone find so many ways to break tree ornaments?” Lilah asked, shaking her head.
    â€œBut the tree looked perfect,” Becka said. “Scrawny but perfect.”
    It was Wednesday afternoon, a clear day, warm for winter, and only a few tiny patches of snow remained on the asphalt of the student parking lot. School had just let out. Becka and Lilah, backpacks slung on their shoulders, made their way toward the bike rack.
    â€œWhere do you want to ride?” Lilah asked, waving to some kids piling into a red Civic.
    â€œAnywhere,” Becka answered with enthusiasm. “I just want to ride and ride and ride. I feel as if I haven’t used my legs in weeks.”
    â€œYeah. Me too,” Lilah replied. “I was so glad the snow finally melted so we could take our bikes. Let’s take Park Drive to River Road, okay?”
    Becka nodded. “The hills will be a challenge.”
    â€œIt’ll be really pretty up above the river,” Lilah said. She stopped suddenly. “Look, there’s your pal Honey at the bike rack.”
    Becka groaned. “Just my luck she moved in next door. She’s like my shadow. Only closer.”
    â€œWhy don’t you tell her to get lost?” Lilah asked, stepping back as the red Civic roared past, its horn honking loudly.
    â€œSometimes I’d like to,” Becka said thoughtfully. “But then I decide she’s not so bad. I think she’s just really insecure.”
    â€œWho isn’t?” Lilah said dryly.
    They made their way to the bike rack at the back of the student lot. Honey was examining one of the bikes, but she stepped away when she saw Becka and Lilah approaching. “Hi! How’s it going?” she called, waving. She was wearing a yellow wind-breaker. Her hair was tied behind her head with a yellow ribbon.
    â€œHiya, Honey,” Lilah said cheerily.
    Honey didn’t seem to hear her. Can I go home with you?” Honey asked Becka.
    â€œNo. Lilah and I are going for a long bike ride,” Becka told her, tossing her backpack over the handlebars of her bike. “We’ve been sitting around for weeks. We need a workout.”
    Honey frowned. “I’ve got to get a bike. I want one just like yours. It’s a ten-speed, right?”
    Becka shook her head. No. A twenty-one speed.”
    â€œI like your hair that way,” Lilah said to Honey.
    â€œWill you be home tonight?” Honey asked Becka. “Yeah. I guess. I’ve got to work on my research paper for science.”
    â€œMe too,” Honey said. “I’ll call you, okay?” “Okay,” Becka said, backing her bike out of the rack.
    â€œSee you,” Honey said. She stood beside the rack, her hands crammed in the pockets of her windbreaker, watching as Becka and Lilah pedaled away.
    They made their way out of the parking lot and turned right onto Park Drive. The curb was still puddled with melting snow. Their tires sent up a spray as they rolled past.
    â€œDid you see the look on Honey’s face when you said she couldn’t come with us?” Lilah called, pedaling hard a few yards ahead of Becka. “She looked as if