Risky Friends

By Julie Anne Peters

Kacie Shannon's life is changed forever when she helps Skye Collingsworth cheat on a math quiz. Even though she doesn’t get caught, Kacie suddenly has a new best friend. Skye isn't all that she appears to be, however, and soon Kacie finds her life spiraling out of control. Is staying friends with someone you like worth risking your own self respect? And will Kacie learn the truth about Skye before it's too late? (For ages 10 and up)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Anne Peters
• Release date: Aug 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465891471

Julie Anne Peters

Julie Anne Peters is the critically-acclaimed, award-winning author of more than a dozen books for young adults and children. Her books have been published in numerous countries, including Korea, China, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil. Julie is a member of The Society of Book Writers and Illustrators, the Colorado Authors League, and The Authors Guild. She loves writing because she gets to be her own boss and doesn't have to work in an office cubicle. It's hard to think outside the box when you work in a cube. Julie lives in Lakewood, Colorado, with her partner, Sherri, and far too many cats. The cats are under the impression that they're creative geniuses, since they spend a majority of their day walking back and forth across her computer keyboard. They probably generate more words per day than she does, but who can read cat gibberish?

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What readers have to say about Risky Friends

"I love the book Risky Friends. I give it a 10."

I read your book about three times. I'm not a person to sit down and read, but your book is wonderful.

RISKY FRIENDS

by

Julie Anne Peters

Copyright 1993 by Julie Anne Peters

Revised and Updated 2011

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CHAPTER 1

I slept through my alarm twice. Then I sparked an electrical fire in my hair blower, split the only fingernail I'd ever managed to grow longer than a nub, and poured an entire pitcher of purple grape juice down the front of my new white silk blouse. When I slid into algebra, losing my race with the late bell and breaking the strap on my best leather sandals, I suspected this was going to be one craptastic day.

Clear your desks. Pop quiz, Ms. Tannenbaum said. The collective moan echoed off the foothills.

Our algebra teacher was built like a tree, with a little pointy head and spreading hips. Her first name was Noëlle, which was irresistible. We nicknamed her Oh Tannenbaum.

Quiet, please, she caroled, passing out the tests.

My pencil broke. I sighed hopelessly, printed Kacie Shannon in red Magic Marker across the top of the page, and began. To my amazement, no doubt thanks to Jordan's help with homework last night, I could actually work most of the problems.

Oh, no, a moan rose from the girl sitting across the aisle. I can't do these, she said. I don't know how to solve any of them. I feel sick. She turned her pale face toward me.

Was she serious? About the sick part, I mean. It'd be just my luck to have someone barf in my lap today. I was about to ask if she was okay when Oh Tannenbaum twisted her trunk to scowl in our direction. I clamped my mouth and lowered my eyes, pretending to concentrate.

The girl's hand shot up in the air. Ms. Tannenbaum?

Yes, Skye.

May I please go to the restroom?

Oh Tannenbaum's eyes narrowed. After the quiz, she said.

Skye pleaded, But I have to go now. I really do.

Then hand in your paper.

Skye Collinsworth slumped over her desk, exhaling audibly. I clucked in disgust. Can you believe some teachers? Oh Tannenbaum shuffled over to answer someone's question, and when I glanced sideways at Skye, I noticed a tear plop onto her quiz.

If I flunk this class my father will be furious, she whispered to me. I'm already grounded for a C minus on my English paper last week. I was up all night studying for a history test, and I just didn't have time for algebra.

She rested her cheek on her crossed arms, eyes brimming with tears. We'd never actually spoken before, just smiled at each other once or twice since school had started a month ago. I sure understood where she was coming from. If I didn't have my best friend to help me with homework, I'd never be able to keep up. Middle school was tough, and so far eighth grade was the worst.

I couldn't believe Skye's father actually grounded her for a C minus. D maybe, but C? C is average, right? What's wrong with being average?

Skye buried her head in her arms and began to cry. Loud, heart-wrenching sobs. I couldn't stand it. Oh Tannenbaum was deliberately ignoring her. She waddled out of the classroom to chitchat with a colleague in the hall. And in that single moment, of a single day, in a single year, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I passed my test to Skye.

She raised her head in slow motion, sniffed, and wiped her eyes. Then, flashing me a grateful smile, she quickly copied the answers onto her tear-stained paper.

After class Skye caught up with me in the hall. You're Kacie, right? she asked, falling into step beside me.

I nodded.

Gosh, Kacie. You really saved my life. Why'd you do it, anyway? I mean, we're not even friends.

I shrugged. Call it temporary insanity. Just don't tell anyone, okay?

I wouldn't breathe a word, she breathed, covering her heart. What do you think I am—a, a Candace Torrey?

I burst out laughing. Candace Torrey's reputation as the mouth of Mountain View Middle School was obviously widespread. Last week she'd started the rumor that Cameron Griff was sneaking over to Tara McClure's house every night. Come to find out their parents got married over the summer, which made them stepbrother and stepsister. I mean, geez. They lived together!

Skye said, Do you even know my name?

Skye Collinsworth.

She looked shocked. Small town, I explained. You were here at the end of last year, weren't you?

I started in April. My father and I moved here right after— she stopped short, and looked away.

After what? I wondered. Obviously, she didn't want to talk about it, so I changed the subject. Do you like living in Lafayette? I know it's kind of a Podunk town, but the people here are really nice.

So far it's okay. At least it's not totally removed from civilization. I mean, the Pearl Street mall in Boulder is only a few miles away, right?

Don't forget. We have two McD's now.

Ooh, sub-urban, she said, and we both cracked up.

While I paused at my locker to unload/reload for my next class, Skye leaned up against the locker next to mine. I don't know about the people, though. I've had a hard time making friends. One thing is for sure... She elbowed me as the entire football team sprinted down the hall in their gym shorts. The guys are hot.

My eyes followed hers. At the exact same moment we both exhaled a dreamy sigh, then sputtered into giggles.

I spun the combination lock and heaved my bent, stuck locker open with a yank. Like an unleashed tornado, books crashed and papers swirled out into the hall. Skye scrambled around to help me retrieve everything.

Thanks, I said. Where's your next class?

She tossed her blond hair over her shoulder. "Clear over in the annex. History, with 'fish lips' Fuller.