3 Chapter One (3)

"I'll let her in on my way out," Mom said. "See you later, guys?" She kissed Dad, hugged me, and wooshed out of the kitchen.

A second later, Gabby appeared, her honey colored curls spilling over the front of her green cardigan. Bram jumped on her, his tiny claws digging into her jeans as his tail wagged frantically. It's sad but true: My dog hates me and love my best friend.

"Hey, cutie," Gabby said to Bram,rubbing behind his ears." Morning, Mr. Paley!" she greeted Dad, who waved to her from where he stood at the sink. Then Gabby turned to me, her dark eyes dancing . " I knew you'd be ready this morning, Em," she said. " it's your kind of weather."

Gabby gets me. She's gotten me ever since the first grade, when I was the only kid who wanted to stay inside and draw during recess. One day, with out any fuss, Gabby walked away from the monkey bars and the dodgeball games , sat down next to me, and start to daw, too . And the thing is, Gabby likes sports and running around outside. But she'd simply decided that I need someone to keep me company. So we drew and drew, and by the end of recess, we were inseparable.

We still are. Gabby lives about five minutes away, and if I'm not at her place, She's at mine. we'll spend hours painting each other's nails ( mine black, Gabby purple ), downloading music, swapping cuff bracelet, and talking,talking,talking. We have other g ood friend- like Padma, Lahiri, and Caitlin Egan, with whom we eat lunch everyday - but I don't feel as bonded to them. I'm an only child, and Gabby is totally my stand-in sister.

" Hang on. Im almost done, I said. my mouth half full as I wolfed down the remains of my sausage.

" Pace yourself, Emma-Rose!" Dad called as he scribbled the breakfast pans .

Gabby shook her head at me. "I don't know how you can eat that stuff."

Gabby is a vegetarian , and usually she puts up with my burger craving just like I put up with her salad, But my BFF can be but annoying when she starts gushing about the wonders of bean sprouts .

"Its easy," I replied, reaching for my glass of cranberry juice. " You know, open mouth , insert food , chew. I can get you some tofu to practice on ."

Gabby stuck out her tongue at me, and the we both burst out laughing.