Dork Diaries 13 Read online

  Hey! Compared to the humiliation I suffered at school every day, wearing a stupid hat was easy. I put it on, and the three of us took a hilarious selfie doing duck lips!

  Zoey found a shopping cart, and Chloe and I hopped on. Then we zoomed through the store, giggling hysterically as I sang along to the corny music from my crown. . . .

  MY BFFS AND ME, SHOPPING FOR MY PARTY!

  The beach party section of the store was really colorful and covered an entire aisle. I just stared at the various displays in AWE! I had no idea there were so many different beach party themes, like Tropical Paradise, Surfer, Mermaid, Sea Creatures, Survivor, Moana, and Deserted Island, just to name a few.

  “WOW! Look at all this AMAZING stuff!” Chloe exclaimed.

  “So, Nikki, which party theme do you like best?” Zoey asked. “All of them are AWESOME!”

  “Actually, I don’t have the slightest idea!” I gushed. “HELP! I can’t make up my mind!”

  Chloe tapped her chin. “Well, do you want cute, cool, classy, edgy, chic, artsy, retro, or glam?!”

  “Come on, guys. Just CHILLAX! We’re planning a birthday party, not a rocket launch to Mars!” Zoey teased as we admired a SUPERcute grass skirt and flower headband. . . .

  THE PARTY STUFF WAS AWESOME!

  We decided the Tropical Paradise party theme was the best match to our invitations.

  Lucky for us, the store manager suddenly announced a “buy-one-get-one-FREE!” sale on all themed partyware.

  “OMG! I LOVE this stuff!” I said. “And now that everything is on SALE, we can buy TWICE as much! Come on, guys, let’s shop till we drop!”

  Chloe ran to get another shopping cart while Zoey and I frantically grabbed items off the shelves.

  It was a mad rush as shoppers swooped into the aisles like hungry vultures. Within minutes, most of the beach party shelves were bare.

  But my BFFs and I had TWO shopping carts loaded with cool stuff! We had a total BLAST shopping for my party !

  Finally, we headed for the checkout line to pay for everything.

  As we waited in line, I reached into my back pocket to take out the $200. And that’s when I had a COMPLETE MELTDOWN! . . .

  Yes! My money had disappeared into thin air!

  Just writing about all this is mentally exhausting. So I’ll finish this entry tomorrow!

  !!

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25

  This whole party thing has been a never-ending, gut-wrenching . . .

  ROLLER-COASTER RIDE!

  And just when you think the ride is finally over and it’s safe to get off, it spins you around until you’re dizzy, dangles you upside down in midair until you feel like you’re going to puke, and then plummets you two hundred feet into a death drop!

  All I want is to get off this thing and get my life back.

  I had no idea how I lost the money for my party!!

  I was SO mad at myself!

  While Zoey talked to the store manager to see if any money had been turned in, Chloe and I wandered aimlessly up and down the aisles of the store, trying to retrace our steps.

  But it was hopeless! I couldn’t believe we were going to have to cancel my party AGAIN.

  I burst into tears right there in the store as Chloe and Zoey did their best to try to console me. . . .

  CHLOE AND ZOEY, GIVING ME A BIG HUG!

  Somehow we accidentally activated that stupid party hat, because it started blaring the “Happy Birthday” song again.

  I was a little surprised when Chloe and Zoey started singing “Happy Birthday” to me. Although it was probably the SADDEST version I’ve ever heard, since both of them were pretty down in the dumps too.

  They started out singing kind of soft and shy, but by the last line they were singing boldly and passionately with all their hearts, like it was a Katy Perry power ballad or something.

  My BFFs did that to make ME feel better because they CARED! And when they finally finished, I had a huge lump in my throat.

  “Thanks, guys! I’m SO sorry!” I sniffed. “I know you worked really hard to help me with this party. Honestly, you both were looking forward to it even MORE than I was. Then I ruined everything by losing the money!”

  “Listen, Nikki! This should have been all about YOU and your special day!” Chloe said. “But we made it about US! We were too busy trying to impress people and become more popular so we’d get invited to parties! We really let you down.”

  “We’ve been selfishly treating this like a huge social event and not like a celebration for the kindest, sweetest, most supportive friend we’ve ever known! I guess we both just got caught up in all the excitement,” Zoey explained.

  “Will you please forgive us?!” they both asked.

  “Of course I will!” I gushed. “You guys are the best friends EVER! I’ll NEVER forget how much fun we had today. Especially when we were goofing off, riding around in that cart and—!”

  “OMG! THE CART!!” we shrieked.

  We dashed to the first cart and started digging like mad through our big pile of party stuff. And lying on the very bottom of the cart was $200 in cash!

  It had fallen out of my pocket!

  OMG! We were SO happy and relieved!

  And since my party was BACK ON again . . .

  . . . WE RUSHED TO THE CHECKOUT LINE BEFORE WE HAD ANOTHER DISASTER!

  Once we got back to my house, we placed all the bags in my bedroom.

  Then we carefully reviewed our checklist.

  We had the pool, food, birthday cake, decorations, party supplies, games, and DJ for the music.

  Everything was all set for my party!

  SQUEEE !

  After Chloe and Zoey left, I collapsed onto my bed in exhaustion.

  I was happy, and it felt really good to FINALLY have my life under control.

  Suddenly my cell phone beeped.

  Then, a few seconds later, it beeped again. This meant I had just received two new e-mails. I glanced at them and groaned loudly. . . .

  From

  Subject

  Trevor Chase

  Your Itinerary for Bad Boyz Tour

  Madame Danielle

  Your Itinerary for Trip to Paris

  JUST GREAT!

  I had my life under control, all right!

  For, like, thirty seconds!

  !!

  THURSDAY, JUNE 26

  JUST GREAT !

  Now I have a HOT MESS on my hands!

  But it’s all MY fault!

  I very STUPIDLY agreed to do the Bad Boyz tour AND the trip to Paris.

  AT THE SAME TIME!

  WHO does something like that but a TOTAL LOSER?!

  I really need to let Trevor Chase know ASAP that I WON’T be going on tour.

  But I’m totally DREADING it.

  I feel so GUILTY because Chloe, Zoey, and Brandon will probably be DEVASTATED once they find out!

  I’m the WORST friend ever !

  My party is in forty-eight hours, and time is running out.

  I finally decided to put aside all my fears and BRAVELY tackle my BIGGEST problem head-on!

  Ignoring this very serious matter could turn into a humiliating DISASTER at my party.

  So I did what any girl would do who’s STUCK with an ugly, saggy, scratchy black SWIMSUIT from the Water Safety section of PE class.

  I rushed to the mall to shop for a chic and stylish NEW swimsuit for my birthday party!

  PROBLEM SOLVED !

  Hey! I’M the BIRTHDAY GIRL! It’s mandatory that I look SUPERcute!

  Right?! . . .

  I loved ALL the swimsuits and had fun trying them on with various shoes and hairstyles.

  Of course I sent selfies to Chloe and Zoey. They enjoyed my swimwear TRY-ON-A-THON and said I looked like a real fashion model.

  We picked the Spunky, Sporty Splash Spectacular because tankinis are in!

  I ALSO decided to DELAY the news about the Bad Boyz tour until AFTER my birthday party! I KNOW! I KNOW! My friends de
serve to know my final decision. But it’ll just spoil all the fun. The last thing I want is them moping around all down in the dumps at my birthday party.

  Waiting a few more days won’t really matter!

  Like, WHAT could go wrong in just forty-eight hours?!

  !

  FRIDAY, JUNE 27

  TOMORROW IS MY

  BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

  SQUEEEE!!

  I’ve gone through so much DRAMA this month, I honestly thought this day would NEVER come.

  It feels like I’ve canceled this party one hundred times for some reason or another.

  Chloe and Zoey are here now, so I gotta run!

  The three of us and our moms are going to the pool this evening to start setting up for my party.

  Then almost everything will be ready for tomorrow.

  OMG!

  I can’t believe Brandon just texted me to say he’s going to stop by to help out!

  SQUEEEE!!

  LATER! I’ll write more tomorrow (if I get a chance)!

  !!

  SATURDAY, JUNE 28

  OMG! My birthday party has been even more PERFECT than I’d imagined! It’s been . . .

  WONDERFUL !!

  I’m taking a quick break to write this so I’ll remember everything FOREVER!! . . .

  MY BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY CAKE (WHICH CHEF BRI-BRI DID NOT BAKE)

  ALL MY FRIENDS CAME TO MY PARTY!

  A FEW OF MY FRENEMIES CAME TOO!

  CHLOE, ZOEY, AND ME IN OUR SUPERCUTE TROPICAL ISLAND OUTFITS

  COOL ANDRÉ AND KA-RAY-ZEE MAX C.

  HANGING OUT WITH MY FAMILY

  Not only was my party a BLAST, but there were several MEMORABLE MOMENTS! . . .

  MOST “VIRAL VIDEO” MOMENT

  EVERYONE DABBING AND DOING COOL FORTNITE DANCES, LIKE THE FLOSS, HYPE, AND ORANGE JUSTICE!

  MOST “PRINCESS SUGAR PLUM SUPERFANGIRL” MOMENT

  VIOLET, CHASE, AND ME, TRYING TO RIDE A UNICORN TO BABY UNICORN ISLAND TO VISIT PRINCESS SUGAR PLUM!

  MOST “SORRY I’M NOT SORRY” MOMENT

  CHEF BRI-BRI, CHARGING MACKENZIE AND TIFFANY $25 TO EAT FIFTEEN DOGGIE SNACKS!

  MOST “SQUEEEEEE!-INDUCING” MOMENT

  BRANDON AND ME, TAKING A SELFIE!

  What can I say?! My EPIC party is BANGIN’!

  With all the confusion about whether my birthday party was ON or OFF, I never actually agreed to be either Brandon’s or André’s date.

  So I was happy that they both came to my party and didn’t SQUABBLE with each other like spoiled toddlers.

  We all hung out together and had a lot of fun.

  It was amazing that EVERYONE I invited actually came. I was SUPERexcited to see Brandon’s good friend Max Crumbly, and my friend Chase, who I met when I was in the exchange program at North Hampton Hills.

  And, as always, Violet totally rocked the house with her AWESOME DJ skillz and music.

  I thanked Chloe and Zoey again for all their hard work and gave them a big hug!

  This party NEVER would have happened without THEIR encouragement and support. AND, of course, that AWESOME book they gave me, My Very Rich and Trashy Life! Party Planner (Because Life’s a Party and You Should Smile While You Still Have Teeth)!

  They’re the BEST. FRIENDS. EVER!!

  OMG! This was one of the HAPPIEST days of my ENTIRE LIFE!

  SQUEEEEE!!

  Anyway, I have to stop writing now. MacKenzie is being SUPERnice and wants to show me her birthday gift to make sure I like it. I guess inviting her WASN’T a huge mistake after all.

  Hey! I’m just relieved she didn’t RUIN my party like in that horrible NIGHTMARE!

  !!

  SUNDAY, JUNE 29

  Okay, remember when I said that everything about my birthday party was PERFECT?

  Well . . . I was WRONG !!

  And remember when I said I was just relieved MacKenzie hadn’t RUINED my party like she’d done in that horrible nightmare?

  Unfortunately, I was WRONG about that, too !!

  I should have been SUSPICIOUS when MacKenzie and Tiffany were acting really nice to me and gushing about how GREAT my party was and how I was going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the FABULOUS birthday present they got me.

  And I should have been VERY SUSPICIOUS when they INSISTED that Brandon, Chloe, and Zoey come and see my fabulous present too! It was all just a sneaky plan to SABOTAGE my friendships! Because THIS is what happened! . . .

  MACKENZIE, BLABBING ALL MY BUSINESS!

  Chloe, Zoey, and Brandon just stared at me in shock with their mouths hanging open.

  It was suddenly quite obvious to me that MacKenzie and Tiffany had only come to my birthday party to start some DRAMA!

  Chloe glared at both of them. “You two are WRONG! If Nikki were going to Paris, she would have told us FIRST! We’re her BFFs!”

  “Sorry to burst your bubble! But not ALL the gossip you hear is TRUE!” Zoey fumed.

  “Enough with the drama already!” Brandon sighed. “Nikki promised to tell us if she was going to Paris. And she would have IF it were true.”

  “RIGHT, NIKKI?!” my three friends asked suddenly, putting me on the spot.

  “WRONG!” Tiffany sneered. “Nikki’s name is on the list for the trip to Paris along with mine! I can show you the e-mail on my cell phone.”

  JUST GREAT !! This was NOT the way I wanted my friends to find out! I should’ve just been honest and told them the truth weeks ago.

  “Listen, g-guys! It’s TRUE! I AM g-going to PARIS!” I stammered nervously. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw André standing nearby, and his face lit up with a HUGE grin.

  “YOU ARE?!” my friends gasped in disbelief.

  “WHY didn’t you tell us?!” Brandon asked.

  “WHEN did you plan to tell us?!” Zoey asked.

  “WHAT were you thinking?! You’re going to Paris with Tiffany?! Everyone knows that SHE HATES YOUR GUTS!” Chloe scolded me.

  Okay, my friends had just asked me WAY too many COMPLICATED questions. “I planned to tell you. Um . . . AFTER my party. But I was really worried you guys would be upset or mad at me. So I kind of procrastinated just a little,” I muttered.

  “Nikki, we’re your FRIENDS! We’re actually HAPPY for you! You didn’t have to keep Paris a SECRET from us!” Zoey exclaimed.

  “I DIDN’T?! Um . . . I mean, I DIDN’T! I’d NEVER do that!” I lied. “Keeping a secret like that from your best friends is really . . . SHADY!”

  “Sure, we’re a teeny bit DISAPPOINTED!” Chloe griped. “And maybe a little UPSET! And possibly TOTALLY DEVASTATED! But we’ll get over it. Maybe!” . . .

  MY TOTALLY DEVASTATED FRIENDS?!

  “We just want you to achieve your DREAMS! Nikki, you deserve Paris!” Brandon gushed.

  Then the strangest thing happened.

  My friends started planning a BON VOYAGE party for me!

  Right there at my BIRTHDAY party!

  Like, WHO does THAT?!

  My SILLY, WONDERFUL, ADORKABLE friends, that’s who !

  I’m REALLY going to miss them !

  MacKenzie and Tiffany just smirked and rolled their eyes at us. I felt the OVERWHELMING urge to yell, “SHUT UP!” even though they weren’t saying anything.

  For weeks I’d been totally stressing about Paris and keeping it a deep, dark secret from my friends.

  For no reason WHATSOEVER!

  Well, one thing is for sure. I will NOT be inviting those DRAMA QUEENS to my bon voyage party.

  I have two words for each of them: “GIRL, BYE!”

  !

  MONDAY, JUNE 30

  I barely got any sleep last night! I just tossed and turned for hours, my thoughts racing.

  My party was a huge success! My friends are supportive! I co-own a booming doggie snack business with the world-famous child prodigy Chef Bri-Bri, pastry chef to the stars! And I have a SUPERexciting summer ahead of me!

  But, deep down, something just didn’t feel right. I wasn’t sure WHAT it was or HOW t
o fix it.

  I was pleasantly surprised when I got a phone call yesterday from my friend Chase. She said she’d had a great time at my party and had met a guy there named Max Crumbly. I told her all about him and that he’s really nice. I couldn’t help but gush about how they’d make a really CUTE couple !

  Chase and I had originally planned to be roommates for the trip to Paris. But it’s just my ROTTEN LUCK that she ended up on the waiting list instead of that selfie-addicted drama queen, Tiffany !

  Anyway, later on I was chillaxing with my diary and procrastinating about writing the thank-you cards for my birthday presents . . .

  . . . when I got a very STRANGE text from Brandon!

  He said he had just gotten some really GOOD NEWS and that I needed to meet him at the CupCakery in ten minutes because he wanted to tell me in person.

  TEN MINUTES?! WHAT was going on?!

  I was pretty sure it was about Fuzzy Friends. Probably that fund-raiser I’d helped him with. He LOVES that place and is really passionate about finding good homes for the animals. It’s just one of the things I really adore about him.

  Suddenly I got a huge lump in my throat. OMG! I was ALREADY starting to miss him!

  That’s when I came up with a BRILLIANT plan.

  First I made a couple of quick phone calls. Then I sat down and wrote a very special letter to Brandon. I pretty much poured my heart out.

  When I arrived at the CupCakery, I was shocked and surprised to see that he’d written a letter to ME, too! So we exchanged letters. . . .

  Okay, I’ll admit it!

  Brandon and I TOTALLY MESSED UP!

  At first we were both really UPSET!

  The humongous problem we were trying to fix was ME in Paris and HIM on the Bad Boyz tour.