Mr. Dietz, Adam, and Emily’s parents hung out in the kitchen while the party took over the living and dining rooms. Most of the guys who weren’t in our group dressed up as football players or cowboys, which meant a plaid shirt and cowboy hat. It was the girls who’d gone above and beyond: beauty queen pageants, Catholic school—
girls, or basical y anything that required them to dress up and put on a lot of makeup.
Not like I was complaining.
52
“Hey, California!” Keith cal ed out from his station in front of the TV. “You’re up.”
He threw me a gaming remote and I plunked down next to him.
We played video games for an hour or so. Every once in a while, he’d give me grief about my accent, my outfit (which was the exact same as his), my hair (which had been short for two months, but Keith had failed to notice), and pretty much anything I said. But I ate it up. This was how Keith treated his friends.
“Dude, next weekend. My house. You in?” Keith said after I final y beat him at a boxing game.
I had no idea what next weekend was or what we’d be doing at
his house, but I agreed.
I had a girlfriend, an amazing best friend, and was final y becoming one of the guys.
Things were starting to look up.
53
Don’t think I’m not offended that you were so desperate for
some bro time.
Dude, you know I didn’t mean it that way.
Dude. You make it seem like I forced you to have tea parties with my dolls and braid my hair.
You did start spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
That’s funny. I don’t remember hearing you complain while you
were eating all the food I was making.
That’s because you’re the best cook in the state of Wisconsin. If not the entire culinary world.
Flattery will get you everywhere.
Don’t I know it.
C H A P T E R F I V E
Having your two best friends date wasn’t as awkward as
I’d thought it would be.
It was much, much worse.
The first month was a little uncomfortable. I had to watch
what I said about one when I was with the other. Then one of
them would pump me for information. Sometimes I had to be
the go-between. I was even the third wheel on a lot of the first dates.
One time I went to get some popcorn before the start of a
movie, only to discover them kissing (or, more accurately,
sucking face) when I got back. I froze, not knowing what to
do. For a split second, I debated turning around and ram—
ming my head against the wall in hopes that I would get
amnesia. Instead, I cleared my throat very loudly and they
slowly peeled away. Thankfully, the lights dimmed down as I
settled back in my seat, so I didn’t have to make eye contact with either of them. I wasn’t sure who should’ve been
more embarrassed.
57
By the time November rolled around, Levi and Emily
were inseparable. They were constantly holding hands and I
swear I once saw them rubbing their noses together between
classes.
I tried desperately to not be bitter. It wasn’t that I wanted
a boyfriend, but I couldn’t help feel a slight sting when they
didn’t want me around. Instead of being a necessity, I was a
hindrance. Anytime I asked one of them to do something,
they already had plans with each other. And I wasn’t included.
Sometimes I even wished they would break up. But then I
figured that would make things even worse. What if I was
forced to pick sides?
There was no way for me to get things back to normal.
So instead I spent more time with Danielle. “They’re
getting pretty serious, huh?” Danielle asked me as we waited
in line to see a movie the week before winter break, just the
two of us.
“Yeah.” I was also getting tired of having to be the happy
couple’s spokesperson.
Danielle hesitated a second. “Don’t you think . . .” She
looked around to make sure we didn’t know anybody. “Don’t
you think Emily’s kind of slipped away a bit? I mean, I know
she wants to spend time with her boyfriend. Duh. But she’s
never strayed this far from us. It’s a bit much, you know?”
Yes, I did know. And times that by two for me. The only
reason I still saw Levi on Wednesdays was that Emily had
cheer practice.
“It is a little much.” I only allowed myself to admit it to Danielle.
58
“Although, let’s be honest, you’ll probably have to remind
me of this conversation when I finally get a boyfriend,” she
said dryly.
I tried to give her an understanding nod, although that
just wasn’t one of my priorities.
“Speak of the devils.” I followed Danielle’s gaze to the con—
cession stand, where Levi had his arm draped around Emily.
She leaned into his side and laughed at something he was
saying.
I really liked Levi, I really did. But he was not as funny as
Emily always pretended he was.
I groaned. “Do you think they’re seeing the same
movie as us?”
Dread came over me that I’d have to watch the Emily and Levi Make-Out Hour instead of the new Paul Grohl romantic comedy.
Danielle apparently read my mind. “Maybe we can sneak
by them and sit toward the front?”
“Sounds good.” We grabbed our tickets and headed toward
the theater with our heads down. I felt my heartbeat pulsing
quickly.