Part 9 (2/2)

It was telling me that I like Billy, not just as a best friend, and that I need to talk to him and clear the air between us and tell him how I feel. It was exciting when Matt kissed me a but it felt right when Billy kissed me.

I told Dad that I hoped Billy being at camp with Brynn hasn't ruined everything.

That's when Dad told me the second thing he wanted me to remember. He said not to a.s.sume the worst as far as my friends are concerned.

He talked about how it is human nature to believe the worst is going to happen, but it doesn't usually come to pa.s.s. ”Trust your friends,” he said. ”Sometimes people surprise you, and I think your friends will surprise you in a good way.”

I told Dad I hoped so, but I wasn't sure.

Then Dad said the thing to do was to stop thinking so much and eat some pie.

He cut a slice from the second pie and brought out two forks. We both took a bite. It was deliciousa”the perfect blend of smooth and sweet and tart. I'm sure I sounded like Goldilocks, but I told Dad this pie tasted just right.

After we had cleaned the plate with our forks, I thanked Dad for the pie and the talk and told him it had helped.

He gave me a big hug and said, ”Anything for my number one daughter.”

I smiled. Dad knows I like that he calls me that sometimes, because it could mean I'm his oldest, but it could also mean I'm his favorite.

He hasn't said it for a while, and to be honest, it was nice to hear it again.

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.

a”C.S. Lewis Sat.u.r.day, July 13, 7:45 A.M.

Tossing and turning since 5:32 A.M.

I couldn't sleep last night.

My brain is racing. Today's the day Brynn and Billy come home from camp. I have so many questions I need answered, and even though I felt better after I talked to Dad, now I'm worried again. Dad told me I should believe in my friends and not expect the worst, but my brain doesn't seem to be able to follow his advice.

What if Brynn told Billy about Matt?

What if Brynn and Billy are a couple?

What if Billy doesn't feel the same way about me that I feel about him?

Billy and Brynn's bus doesn't get here until noon. Waiting won't be easy.

9:14 A.M.

I'm waiting. Not easy.

10:33 A.M.

I'm still waiting. Still not easy.

11:07 A.M.

I'm still waiting, and I just ate an entire s...o...b..x of Captain Crunch. May just said I look like there's a baby in my belly, and now June keeps repeating it. Ugh, I'm having a food baby! NOT how I want to look today!

11:31 A.M.

The bus arrives in 29 minutes, and I'm going to be there when it does. I'm going to brush my hair, put on lip gloss, and find a tunic top to wear so when my friends get off the bus, no one will see my food baby.

11:32 A.M.

I can't find a tunic top.

11:34 A.M.

What am I thinking?!

I can't be there when the bus arrives. I have to talk to Brynn before I talk to Billy. I need to know what she's told him before I talk to him. I'm going to have to wait for them to call me.

I'm sure they will call the minute they get home.

Right?

12:09 P.M.

Brynn lives two minutes from where the bus stops. If it took her two minutes to get off the bus and two minutes to get home, she has been home for five minutes already.

She should have called by now.

12:17 P.M.

Brynn still hasn't called. If she doesn't call by 12:22, I'm calling her.

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