“There’s no gossip aboutme.”
Kate has the ability to raise one eyebrow at a time. I’ve always admired the talent—except for now. “Wanna bet? Have you asked him to the dance?”
“No.” I gesture impatiently at my foot. I stubbed my baby toe on the way to the bathroom earlier, so that adds to the discomfort. Also, it didn’t help my mood.
“No?”
“No, and I’m not about to. He’s out with Fern Theissen tonight.” I spit out her name like I’m referring to an evil corporation trying to steal the fish from my country.
Totally not fair to Fern. Fifi. Whatever her name is.
What kind of name is Fifi? Sounds like a dog.
Also, not very fair.
“Apparently, they’re old and dear friends,” I add, losing a bit of the spite.
“I did hear she was in town,” Kate muses, trying to sound casual. “Did her brother come with?”
I shake my head. “Just Fern. Just tall, beautiful, blonde Fern.”
“Brother is also tall, blond, and beautiful. Just saying.”
“Of course he is. Don’t give me any more reasons to dislike her. Not that I dislike her,” I quickly correct. “I’m just not sure I like… there’s nothingwrongwith her… it’s just…”
There is obviously something wrong withme. I pull up my blanket, wishing I could hide beneath it.
Kate narrows her eyes. “Uh huh. You should ask him to the dance.”
“She probably already has,” I growl. “Not that I was going to.” I angrily point to my foot.
“It’s not like you to feel sorry for yourself.”
“Maybe it should be.”
Kate only laughs. “Oh, Sophie. You’ve got it bad. I haven’t seen you this hung up on a guy since Wade Wilkerson in grade five.”
“There’s been a lot of guys I’ve been hung up on since him.”
“I know.” Kate smiles sadly. “And I hate that I missed hearing about them.”
I missed a lot. We all did. Hanging out with Kate and Lyra—it’s just Kate today, but I know Lyra would be here if she were in town—talking and teasing and sharing everything and anything.
Talking about boys. I missed talking to my best friends about boys, and now we’ve moved on to men.
They are a lot more complicated.
I had friends in high school during the years of no-talk to the royal family and friends that my mother imposed. Back then, Mom’s rules were the law, and because I never knew the entire story, I went along with what she wanted.
I never knew the true story about her and Dad, and let her poison me against the royal family. And Kate, because she was still Lyra’s best friend.
I have friends now, but it’s not the same as having Kate and Lyra back in my life.
Did my mother even realize how my social life took a hit by banning Lyra from my life?
And why did I ever listen to her? There’s no way I would do that now.
Ten-year-old me was very different from the me of today.
