Absolutely Alfie and the Worst Best Sleepover Read online

  “Because breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day,” Lulu said, rubbing her stomach.

  “Chocolate chip pancakes,” Alfie said, remembering her old friend’s favorites. “Or breakfast burritos. Or toaster waffles.”

  “Or all three,” Lulu said, laughing. “Let’s have everything! And games.”

  “We can call it the ‘Jammie Breakfast Party,’” Alfie suggested.

  “Or the ‘Saturday Morning Jammie Breakfast Party,’” Lulu said. “So the girls know exactly when they’re supposed to come. Because we’re talking about tomorrow morning, Alfie.”

  Jeesh, Alfie thought, her eyes wide with alarm. She’d better call her mom!

  The school office lady would let her use the phone, she was pretty sure.

  “Let’s go outside and invite all the other girls, before lunch is over,” Lulu was saying.

  “You do it,” Alfie said. “Because I have to run to the office and call my mom, or our Saturday Morning Jammie Breakfast Party is never gonna happen.”

  “Go,” Lulu shouted. “Go!”

  18

  The Saturday Morning Jammie Breakfast Party!

  “What did I ever do to deserve this?” EllRay asked early the next morning, pausing before blowing up more balloons.

  It was almost time for the Saturday Morning Jammie Breakfast Party!

  “You got to have me as a little sister, that’s what happened,” Alfie said, almost dancing, she was so excited. “Do you like my new jammies?” she asked, twirling in front of him.

  “I do,” Lulu Marino said. She had arrived early—to make sure she was there when the first guest arrived, and to help a little. Lulu had decided to wear a long gauzy skirt and a sparkly top to the breakfast party. Her shiny black hair even had some glitter in it. “I mean, it’s what I sleep in,” she had claimed, adjusting the frothy layers of her skirt.

  “I guess I like your jammies,” EllRay said, giving his sister the once-over. “But they’re more like leggings and a big T-shirt, if you ask me.”

  “Cute, though,” Alfie added, admiring herself the best that she could. Her new jammie bottoms were striped, and the top was covered with large, colorful flowers. “I feel like a bumblebee,” she said, totally satisfied.

  The entire Jakes family had sprung into action the night before, piling into Mrs. Jakes’ car right after dinner.

  They shopped first at the party store for decorations and favors.

  Then Alfie and her mom dashed into a department store to score Alfie’s awesome new jammies.

  Then they cruised the supermarket aisles for a cartful of breakfast fixings.

  They ended the night at the bakery counter, picking up the special cake Alfie’s mom had ordered the afternoon before, after Alfie called from the office. Good Morning, All-Star Girls! was spelled out on top of the cake. It was decorated with thirteen roses, and the cheerful message made Alfie happy each time she looked at it.

  Now Princess was safely stashed away in her parents’ bedroom so she couldn’t slip out the front door as guests came and went. Music was already playing. And the savory scent of fried sausage—for the breakfast burritos to come—wafted into the living room.

  “Are you gonna wear those sweatpants and basketball team shirt and saggy socks to the party?” Lulu asked EllRay, who had started blowing up more balloons.

  “I’m not gonna be at the party,” EllRay informed her, pinching the end of a half-inflated balloon as he paused to answer her question. “Me and my dad are going out for, like, a year, I think we decided,” he added, shooting Alfie a look.

  Sque-e-eak! went the balloon as EllRay let out a little air.

  “Send me postcards,” Alfie said, her hands over her ears.

  “Me too, okay?” Lulu said, fluffing up her skirt again. “Because I don’t have a brother.”

  She was clearly awed by being in the presence of a sixth-grader, Alfie thought. Even if it was only EllRay.

  EllRay darted Alfie a second look, this one saying, Get her away from me! because honored guest Lulu Marino’s antics were making Suzette Monahan’s old McDonald’s demand look like nothing, Alfie thought, trying not to laugh.

  First, Lulu had insisted on peeking inside all the already-wrapped party favors.

  Then she’d tasted the frosting on the cake and sampled the crumbled sausage.

  She’d even wandered into Dr. Jakes’ home office without permission.

  Her dad would be talking about “pulling a Lulu” from now on whenever someone acted up, Alfie was sure.

  But she and Lulu were good again.

  “Who’s coming, did you say?” Lulu asked Alfie.

  “I already told you twice,” Alfie said, peeking out the living room window. “Everyone except two new girls whose families already had plans.”

  “So that makes nine other kids,” Lulu said, nodding.

  “Including Arletty,” Alfie said, happy that her old friend could make it to the morning party after all. “And Bella, don’t forget,” she added, and she turned to look at Lulu.

  “I already said ‘Sorry,’ don’t worry,” Lulu told her, laughing.

  “I think your first guests have arrived, ladies,” Mrs. Jakes said, nodding toward the front door as she walked into the room. “So let’s have a party!”

  But Alfie and Lulu held back as Mrs. Jakes headed for the door. There were butterflies fluttering around inside her tummy, Alfie thought, rubbing it. She could not imagine how Lulu was feeling. “Are you happy?” she asked her old friend.

  “Mostly,” Lulu said, her voice soft. “I was thinking about my sleepover for a second, that’s all.”

  “It would’ve been great,” Alfie said. “But this isn’t a sleepover, Lulu. And you can still have your party someday. So why be sad when you’re about to be happy?”

  Lulu suddenly looked lost. “I don’t know,” she said, her eyes wide.

  And Alfie believed her. Maybe feeling always a little bit sad was a “special darling” thing, she figured, because—how perfect could things be most of the time?

  But things were cool enough anyway.

  The sound of excited voices floated in from the front door.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Alfie told Lulu.

  “Really?” Lulu asked.

  “Really.”

  “I am, too,” Lulu said, brightening.

  Her smile was sunny now, and Alfie smiled back at her. “Let’s have a party,” she said, echoing her mom’s earlier words.

  “Okay,” Lulu said. She reached for Alfie’s hand, and Alfie’s heart gave a jump of pure happiness.

  Freeze!

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