Read All Shook Up (From the Files of Madison Finn, 22) for Free Online Page A

I still have your notebook,” Ivy growled at Madison. “I think I’ll just keep it for a while. You don’t mind, do you? I didn’t think so…. Oh, well. Buh-bye.”
    Madison’s mind raced. Ivy still had the notebook. That sneak! Madison wanted to scream out after the enemy, but she couldn’t lose her cool here. She didn’t want Mr. Books to come back over to reprimand her.
    “Just ignore her,” Hart whispered. “Ivy’s so lame. She’s always hanging around and trying to talk to me these days, but ugh . I used to think she was nicer, but … well …”
    “But what?” Madison couldn’t help asking.
    “But you’re the nice one,” Hart said plainly. “You know that.”
    Madison stood up. “I really should go,” she said, extending her hand. It just hovered out there, waiting for someone to grab it.
    Would Hart take it and hold it in his own? Madison hoped so. She was going for a fifth hand-holding right there; right then.
    Hart stood up.
    Madison held her breath.
    Then, in one slo-mo moment, Hart grabbed Madison’s hand. He squeezed it so all the fingers pinched together.
    “Want me to carry your book bag?” Hart asked.
    Madison readjusted the orange messenger bag on her shoulder while still managing not to let go of Hart’s hand.
    “I’m okay,” she said coyly, savoring the moment. “I’ve got it.” She wished she could add, “And I’ve got you, too, and how cool is that ?”
    Of course, the library was no place for slick movie-of-the-week lines. She’d save the line for her files, where no thought was too cheesy or too forward.
    The two of them kept holding hands all the way down the stairs to the first floor. By the time they reached the front door of the school, and Madison and Hart had to let go, they both had sweaty palms. Now it was time for the day’s good-byes. Hart had basketball practice, and Madison needed to head over to the animal clinic. It was after three o’clock; Dan was meeting her at the bus stop.
    “E me later,” Madison suggested to Hart as they parted ways.
    “Sure,” he said, although Madison was pretty sure he wouldn’t. Guys weren’t always so good about calling or e-mailing, even if they promised. They certainly weren’t as good as BFFs.
    As Hart walked away, Madhur appeared.
    “Hey! I was just thinking about you!” Madison said, stretching the truth a little. “We have to talk more about what we’re doing for the conference.”
    “I know,” Madhur nodded. “I told my mother about our being partners. She said I should invite you over this weekend for supper. We could do work in the afternoon and then you could stay to eat. Everyone in my house cooks on Sundays.”
    “Wow,” Madison said, grinning. “That sounds fun. I would … well, I have to ask my mom or dad first, actually. Can I E you later?”
    “I don’t have e-mail, remember?” Madhur said.
    “Oh, of course,” Madison said. “Um … can I just call you at home?”
    Madhur nodded. “That’s what I was going to do—if I didn’t see you here at school this afternoon. But I saw you, so …”
    “Where are you headed right now?” Madison asked.
    “To the library,” Madhur said softly. “I have a lot of homework.”
    “You do?” Madison asked. “I didn’t think the teachers were giving that much reading this week….”
    “No. I’m a few chapters ahead of the rest of the class.”
    “Oh, I forgot. You do all your homework way in advance,” Madison said.
    “Where are you going?” Madhur asked.
    “I’m on my way to the Far Hills Animal Clinic. My friend Dan and I are volunteers there. These kittens got sick and died, and … well, it’s a sad story. I told Dan I would help him out this afternoon.”
    “The animal clinic? Wow,” Madhur said.
    “I remember from your speech in class that you like animals a lot, right?”
    Madhur nodded. “For sure.”
    “Do you want to come to the clinic with us?” Madison asked.
    “Oh, no.” Madhur demurred. “I couldn’t. I mean,