Best Friends for Never by Lisi Harrison

thought you two wanted to spend the day together, and now I see your friends are here.” Kendra checked to make sure they were alone by the hair accessories display.
    “The truth is, dear,” she said softly, “Judi is concerned. She doesn't think Claire has hit her social stride yet and really wants you both to get along.”
    “Everything is
fine
,” Massie said. “Don't worry, okay?” She started to back away, but her mother grabbed her thin wrist and stopped her.
    “I hope so, because Judi and Claire are two of the sweetest people I know, and I would hate to see them upset.”
    “Mom, everything is—”
    “She would be devastated if she thought you were lying about your friendship with Claire just to get permission for your party. It would also mean calling the whole thing off, and I know how much everyone in your grade has been looking forward to it.”
    “You have nothing to worry about, okay?” Massie stood on her tiptoes and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I was just on my way to find Claire before you stopped me. So can I
please
go help her shop? She needs me.”
    “Yes,” Kendra sighed. “You may want to suggest she try black. It will look so pretty with her bright eyes.”
    Massie gave her mother the thumbs-up sign and hurried off. But Claire was the last thing on her mind.

THE LIMITED
DRESSING ROOM NO. 5
    2:12 PM
    October 25th
    “I have about two minutes before my mother gets suspicious, so I'll make this quick,” Massie whispered. “Remember that bet I told you about? Well, it's killing me—I have nothing to wear.”
    “Why don't you just admit defeat?” Alicia said. “It's only a bet.”
    “Because then she has to wear her old snowsuit to school for a week,” Kristen said.
    “It's two weeks,” Dylan said.
    “No, it isn't, it's one week,” Kristen said.
    “Ehmagod, will you guys please stop fighting already? I need your help.”
    Massie reached into her red Coach clutch and pulled out her Visa.
    “Take this and buy me some cute tops. I would love a purple scoop neck and maybe something in winter white and then whatever else you think I'll like. I'll take care of our costumes if you do this for me.”
    “Don't forget I lost five pounds, so I probably went down a size,” Dylan said.
    “Got it,” Massie barked. “Now go!”
    The girls stormed out, eager to complete their mission.
    Massie breathed a sigh of relief. She fixed her hair, reapplied her lip gloss, and adjusted her tie belt before unlocking the dressing room door. She had just saved her dying wardrobe, and she felt at peace for the first time all day. Her next stop would be The Espresso Bar for a celebratory chai latte.
    Massie was greeted by a mob of impatient shoppers holding armfuls of clothes, waiting for her to leave. But her victory was too sweet to be soured by a bunch of Limited customers, and besides, it wasn't like she'd ever see
them
again.
    She held her head high and walked out of the dressing room, managing to avoid eye contact with everyone.
    “I heard you.”
    Massie knew the voice but kept going.
    “I know what you're doing.”
    Don't look back. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Keep moving. You're almost out!
    “Massie, STOP,” Claire said. She was at the front of the line, holding a periwinkle blue sweater and a few other items from the sale rack.
    “What did you hear?” Massie said.
    “I don't want to fight.” Claire's voice was patient and kind. “I know this has been hard for you, so I'll give you another chance. You can either call your friends to tell them you've changed your mind. Or you can wear the new sweaters under your old snowsuit.” Claire had an evil grin on her face. It gave Massie goose bumps.
    Massie lifted her phone out of her bag and flipped it open.
    “Darn,” she said, and snapped it shut. “Battery's dead.”
    “Here you go,” said a girl with dreadlocks who happened to be in line behind Claire. She handed over her red-gold-and-green Nokia. “You're