I didn’t know how to take her remark. I hoped she was being kind. But she sounded a bit catty. Anyway, my wish would never come true now. Thanks to one lousy candle.
For the gift opening, we converged on the living room and sat on the floor. I observed Christiana, noticing her shining eyes as she glanced at my gifts lined up on the sofa. She held hers tightly, fingering the pink bow in the center. Did she think her gift was more wonderful than all the rest?
I opened hers last, and soon discovered it was from both her and Andie. The gift was a jewelry box, which meant it probably wasn’t Andie’s idea at all. And by the sound of the Mozart tune, I was sure Christiana had chosen it.
To make things worse, when the beautician showed up, Christiana suddenly developed a headache. Andie turned on her friendly charm and arranged for her mom to pick them up.
“Why can’t you stay?” I cornered Andie, pleading with her.
“It’s Christiana’s first day here, and I’m her host,” she reminded me rather coldly. “She probably has jet lag. It’s two o’clock in the morning in Austria right now, you know.” And with that comment, she flounced off to get their jackets.
We started the facials without them. Andie and Christiana sat in the living room, whispering and giggling while they waited for their ride. I sat in the kitchen with the rest of the girls while Joy smeared Andie’s cucumber mask on my face. After it dried, I cracked it twice on purpose thinking about Christiana. She had to be so perfect. Every word, every gesture…
It was so disgusting. Besides that, she had Andie wrapped around her little finger.
Could my friendship with Andie survive five more weeks of this freak show?
SECOND-BEST FRIEND
Chapter 11
When Andie’s mother arrived, I was polite. I thanked the girls for the birthday present and said good-bye. But in my heart I was crushed.
Passing through the dining room, I saw it: a huge black spider hidden in the crevice of a chair. I froze. I’d sat in that very spot tonight!
Inching my way past it, I gulped. Then I ran to the kitchen to get a broom.
“What’s that for?” Joy asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “Stay right where you are.”
That brought all the girls running.
“Don’t anybody move,” I said as they huddled behind me, squealing. Bam! I came down hard on the monstrous insect. The girls leaned in, staring—holding their mouths.
“It’s not dead!” Amy-Liz cried.
“Whack it again,” Shauna screamed.
I raised the broom over my head, preparing for the kill.
“What kind of spider is it?” Joy asked.
“Indestructible,” Amy-Liz said.
With broom poised, I inched closer, poking the spider with the wooden handle. The ugly creature didn’t move.
“It’s fake,” I said.
That rotten girl, I thought of Christiana.
“Hey, good joke,” Amy-Liz said. Joy and Shauna agreed.
I snatched up the lifelike critter and flung it at them. Screams filled the house, and Mom came running.
“It’s nothing,” I said. But it was. Christiana had arrived only a few hours ago, and already she was messing up my life. Stealing the show at my party. Stealing my best friend…
Back in the kitchen, I checked my facial mask in one of the hand mirrors lying on the counter. An alien-green tint covered my face. Cucumber facial masks are supposed to look like that. But I got carried away and imagined that my eyes were green as emeralds, too. Green with envy, I thought. Look at me! I’m just a green-eyed monster. But I didn’t care.
Amy-Liz got brave and had her curly blond hair cut and styled. Joy and Shauna liked it so much they experimented with a new look, too.
Even without Andie, the make-over went pretty well. We made shy, sweet Joy look like a flirt with bright red, wet lipstick and tons of mascara. Shauna was grotesque with pale lips, dark eye shadow, and dark eyebrows. Amy-Liz went for the clown look with round circles of rouge on each cheek and on the tip of her nose. I wasn’t much of a sport and opted for a more natural look.
When the girls left for home, I helped Mom clean up.
“You didn’t have much fun tonight,” she said, wiping the kitchen counters.
“It was fun, I just…” What could I say? Turning fourteen wasn’t what it was cracked up to be. “I don’t know,” I said, twisting the lids on the foundation and cream blush. “Maybe it’s just when you look forward to something so long, you have a mental image of how it’ll turn out. Then when Christiana started telling her boring stories, I felt icky inside.”
“I understand, honey.” She gathered up the dirty napkins.
“Then Christiana said she was sick, which I seriously doubt, and Andie left, too.” It was hard recounting the miserable evening. I didn’t want to think about it. Writing my feelings secretly in my journal was much easier.
So I kissed Mom on the cheek and wiped my tears. “I’ll be upstairs for a while,” I said. “Thanks for everything.”
February 11 continued: The party was weird. It was mostly a welcoming party for Christiana! Ick!
Goofey goes in the kennel tomorrow. Poor thing. I’ll be broke by the end of the week. But I’ll use all my allowance next month for my missionary project and the sponsor child for sure.
A strange sensation rippled through my scalp, down my shoulders, and into my spine. I shivered and stopped writing. It felt like someone was reading over my shoulder.
Slowly looking up, I half expected to see an angel, or…maybe God himself. But then, why would God need to read my words when He already knew them?
At that moment, Bearie-O fell off the shelf, landing in my lap.
I stroked the top of his bald teddy head. The loving had worn it thin.
Bearie-O was symbolic of my friendship with Andie. Thinking back on the amazing bond we shared, I felt myself becoming even more jealous of Andie’s attention to Christiana. I grabbed my journal and counted out the days. Thirty-four to go! March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, was the day Christiana was scheduled to leave. I drew a giant smiley face over the date and wrote in big letters: CHRISTIANA GO HOME!
Valentine’s Day, my true birthday, came at last. A giant red envelope was stuck to my locker at school. I spotted it as I pushed through the crowded hallway.
“Happy Valentine-birthday,” Jared said as I reached for his card.
I grinned back at him. “Thanks,” I said. “Is it for Valentine’s or my birthday?”
“Look inside,” he said slyly.
I tore the envelope open. A card with red and pink hearts wished me a Happy Valentine’s Day. The card behind it was homemade. Light pink construction paper, folded in quarters with pen and ink designs around the edges. The verse was without rhyme—free verse.
“This is incredible!” I said, referring to the homemade card and verse. “You’re good, Jared. Thanks!”
“Thank you…for being born, that is.” He bowed and rose with a grin.
I opened my locker, hiding my blushing face.
“Happy birthday!” I heard an all-too familiar voice. Andie’s. But I kept my face inside my locker.
Jared leaned next to me. “You’re being paged.”
“Is she with Christiana?” I muttered.
“Who else?” he teased.
Both girls came right up to my locker. “You look the same,” Andie commented. “Thought you were having a make-over.”
I dragged up a smile.
Jared saved the day. “You girls going to hear Mandee Trent Friday night?”
Andie pulled something out of her jeans pocket. “Two tickets say we’ll be there.” She held them up.
Christiana smiled—at Jared. “I am dying to see what everyone is talking about,” she chimed in, using one of Andie’s expressions.
“I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself,” Jared said. “The church is taking a busload to Denver.”
Without missi
ng a beat, Christiana said, “Oh, save us some seats, will you, Jared?” She flashed him a dazzling smile.
“Absolutely,” Jared said.
I felt uneasy. He seemed just a little too friendly with the Austrian beauty.
Later, Jared met me at lunch. “What’s going on with you and Andie?” he asked, sliding in beside me at the table.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I watched Andie and Christiana out of the corner of my eye.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with Christiana, does it?” He was prying, and I didn’t like it.
“Let’s just say I’m sick of hearing about the Alps and Mozart’s birthplace and fakey headaches.”
Jared frowned. “Headaches?”
I told him about my birthday party and Christiana’s sudden illness.
“What’s so bad about a headache?” He grinned at me.
I sighed. “Maybe if you’d been there…”
Jared reached for his drink. “You’re jealous,” he said casually.
I sprinkled hot sauce on my tacos. “You could say that.”
“It doesn’t become you, Holly.”
“Don’t preach. You’ll start sounding like Danny.”
“I don’t care who I sound like,” he said. “Christiana probably isn’t a Christian. At least, I get that impression.”
“Well, if you’re so interested, why don’t you convert her?” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh; it just tumbled out. Maybe because Andie and Christiana were heading toward our table right then. “Excuse me,” I said, hopping up.
“Hey, where’re you going?” Jared leaped up, leaving his tray behind.
“Enjoy your lunch. And your company.”
But Jared followed me down the hall to my locker. He stared at me while I worked my combination lock. “Don’t mess up your birthday, Holly-Heart,” he said softly.
“Then don’t bug me about Andie. She’s my problem.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “If that’s the way you want it.”
Looking at his face, I felt lousy. Jared accepted me as I was, guilty or not guilty. He was only trying to help smooth things over with Andie. After all, it wasn’t the first time she and I had fought.
“Hey, you’re riding to Denver with me on the bus,” he said, changing the subject. “Okay?”
I groaned. “I would, but my family’s going skiing, and I just—”
“Just want to stay away from Andie,” he interrupted.
“Skiing’s a good excuse, don’t you think?” I said, avoiding his eyes.
“But it won’t be half as much fun without you.”
“I’m sorry.” I really was.
“I know.”
That was another thing I liked about Jared. He wasn’t pushy. He accepted things the way they were. For now, our friendship was comfortable, secure. Had Andie filled Christiana in on Jared and me?
I headed for PE. Andie and her sidekick would be there, sharing the same gym locker. It was hopeless the way Christiana finagled everything to her benefit. Why couldn’t Andie see the light?
SECOND-BEST FRIEND
Chapter 12
Timed tests were scheduled for the last half of PE. And wouldn’t you know it, Christiana and I were competing for first place. On ropes, no less!
Shaking uncontrollably, every muscle in my body straining with each pull, I did my best to block Christiana from my view. It was impossible. Her strawberry blond hair swayed as she slithered up the rope with her long, slender legs. Closing my eyes, I inched upward. Finally I reached the top.
The class was cheering…screaming. I’d made it! Opening my eyes, I saw the girls gathered around Christiana like she was a celebrity or something. Her smile of victory made me ill. I was wrong. She’d beat me hands down.
Sliding down slowly, I noticed Paula was waiting at the bottom of the rope.
“You almost tied her.” She flashed her toothpaste smile.
I ignored her.
Andie was next for the test. I felt sick inside, helplessly watching her hang in midair, unable to get her chubby legs to assist in the climb. She barely made it to the first mark. Whew, that hurt.
I couldn’t watch anymore.
Miss Tucker kept me after class. She said encouraging things about my rope time, but I still felt resentment toward Christiana. “You’re good, Meredith,” Miss Tucker said. “I’d like to see you get more athletically involved around here.”
“Thanks.” I glanced at the wall clock. She’d kept me too long. I had to hit the showers fast.
She patted me on the shoulder. “I hear you’re having a birthday today. Hope it’s a good one.”
“Thanks.” I headed for the steps to the locker room.
Paula was waiting. “How’s Goofey?” she asked.
This girl never quits, I thought, mustering up two words. “Goofey’s better.” Of course, I avoided the kennel issue entirely.
“We can’t be late for the math test,” Paula said as we hurried downstairs.
I unlocked my gym locker and pulled out my clothes and a clean towel. Andie and Christiana were already dressing for class. I was really late.
“Is Goofey having visitors yet?” Paula persisted.
I was sick of the questions. “Only me.”
“Well, I hope you have a happy birthday, Holly,” she said, closing her gym locker.
“Yeah, right,” I muttered as I undressed.
I stuffed my sweaty gym clothes into my locker, wrapped my towel around me, and headed for the showers, leaving my locker open. Time was running out. Our math teacher was a stickler for being prompt. Her pet peeve was kids who showed up late for class. She was known to knock a whole letter grade off a test for every five minutes a student was late.
I hurried into the shower room. Piling up my jeans, sweater, and clean underwear next to the wall near the shower, I hopped in.
Soaping up quickly, I relived Christiana’s look of triumph when she had beat me on the ropes.
Poor Andie, short and chubby—what a nightmare the ropes had always been for her. If Christiana cared about Andie’s feelings at all, she’d have been cheering her on instead of gloating about winning first place.
“Holly, hurry!” It was Paula. “We have five minutes to get to math,” she hollered.
Peeking out of the shower stall, I saw Paula applying mascara with one hand while holding a compact with the other. Her hair was still damp from her shower. Could I never escape this girl?
Careful not to get my own hair too wet, I rinsed off quickly. Then, reaching for my towel, I dried off in record speed. Funny, it wasn’t Andie reminding me about math. She was probably in class already, choosing a seat next to the Austrian Olympian.
I wrapped my damp towel around me and reached for my clothes. But the spot where I’d put them was empty. “That’s strange,” I said. Someone had moved my clothes by mistake.
Tiptoeing out of the shower, I looked around. My feet grew colder with each step on the wet cement floor. Scrambling over the full length of the room, I was frustrated. “I know I put them right here,” I said out loud.
Wait a minute. Paula was just here, I thought. What was she still doing here?
That’s when I saw the note. Leaning over, I picked it up. Someone had written: HAPPY “BIRTHDAY SUIT” in purple ink on the paper.
Was it Paula? I gripped the note and the corners of my towel. The clamor of the next class added to my confusion as they came bustling into the locker room.
I clumped toward my locker.
“You’re late, Meredith,” Miss Tucker yelled over the locker room noise.
“My clothes are gone,” I said, but she was too busy to pay attention. Flinging my gym locker wide open, I looked inside. It was empty!
Where were my things? How would I ever make it to math?
Still clasping the note, I retraced my steps to the shower stalls, frantic to find my clothes. Where would a prankster hide them? In desperation, I choked the tears back. Wiping my ey
es, I examined the handwriting on the note once again. I didn’t recognize it. And, of course, it wasn’t signed.
Clutching the note and the towel, I darted back into the locker area. I gazed up at the clock. Two o’clock. The math test was starting now.
Dizzy with rage, I stumbled to my open locker, pushed the note inside, and slammed the door.
“Holly!”
I spun around. It was Paula.
“What do you want?” I gripped the towel.
“I saw what she did.”
“Who?”
“Christiana. She took your things and ran off before I could catch her. I even followed her to math class, but I didn’t want to make a scene, so I came back to help you.” She turned to open her locker and began to undress.
I stared at her. “What are you doing?”
“I’ll wear my gym clothes to class. I always keep a clean pair in here just in case,” she explained, tossing her sweater to me.
“I can’t take your clothes,” I muttered, dumbfounded.
“Why not?” she said, throwing her jeans at me. “That’s what friends are for.”
She slipped into some blue sweats and pulled a T-shirt over her head. “You can still make it if you hurry,” she said as she fluffed her brunette locks and ran out of the locker room.
I was speechless.
SECOND-BEST FRIEND
Chapter 13
After school, Jared caught up with me at the bus stop. He whipped out a birthday present with a flourish. “Ta-da!” he announced. “Okay if I ride with the cutest girl in Dressel Hills?”
“Sure,” I said, forcing a happy face as I pulled my jacket tight against me. Jared had noticed I was wearing different clothes. I could tell by the way he looked at me. After all, I didn’t exactly fill out Paula Miller’s clothes the way she did. But it was better than the “birthday suit” by far!
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Andie and Christiana coming, half a block away. They were walking fast at first, but I was sure they’d spotted me because suddenly they slowed their pace. I kept my eyes on Jared, refusing to acknowledge their presence.
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