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the monthly child support and alimony checks he sends,” she told us. She said her dad lives in New York, making tons of money and living with a new family.
    â€œThat’s gotta be kind of hard,” I said. I thought it was bad enough my dad had moved out, but at least I knew he still thought about me and missed me. I knew because he called and told me so.
    â€œI’m used to it,” Kirstie said. “I’m not saying I like it. But I have made a lot of friends along the way.”
    â€œI don’t know how you make new friends every year,” I said. “I wouldn’t have a clue how to do it. If Ms. Harrison hadn’t sat me and Arlene next to each other in first grade, I might not even have her.”
    â€œOf course you would!” Arlene said. “We’d be friends no matter what.”
    â€œThat’s what I think,” Kirstie said. “I think that friends are meant to be just like husbands or boyfriends or whatever. You and I are meant to be friends.”
    She said that just to me. Not to Arlene.
    â€œSo, Kristie,” Arlene began.
    â€œIt’s Kir stie,” she corrected.
    I’m not saying Arlene was egging her on, but I’m pretty sure she knew what Kirstie’s name was. I wondered why she was being so snotty to her. I meant what I’d said: If I were a new kid at school, I’d be petrified. I was glad to be the one person who was talking to Kirstie, and I was also glad that she was the one person besides Arlene who was talking to me. Win-win.
    â€œSorry. Kir stie. Why did you start school on a Friday? That’s sort of weird. Why not just start today?”
    I’d been wondering the same thing too. “Mom had to start her job on Friday because of some event that that was going on that night, so she said if she had to jump right in, then I had to too. I didn’t mind, though. Friday was exciting, what with all the flowers and everything.” I could feel my face turn red as I set down my lasagna-laden spork. Kirstie nudged my arm and smiled at me. Arlene looked between us. Kirstie asked her, “Hey, what class do you have just before lunch?”
    â€œMath. Why?”
    â€œJust wondering. Where’s your class?”
    Arlene sighed as if she were being asked to bus the tables. “Mr. Jenkins. He’s by the language department. Why?”
    â€œI thought I saw you on Friday, that’s all.” Kirstie rolled her lips in and gave the slightest shake of her head. I hadn’t forgotten what she’d heard on Friday, and even though herdescriptions were vague—a blonde and a brunette—it seemed like she thought something was up.
    Â 
    Later, before I saw Kirstie again in science class, Arlene asked, “What is up with that girl?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I asked. “She’s okay.” The truth was, I really liked her. I liked how easy she was to get along with, and how readily she had made friends with me.
    â€œA little clingy, don’t you think? And what was up with the interrogation of me and my class schedule? Why does she care?”
    â€œShe was just making conversation. She’s new here. Imagine if you had to start somewhere new and you didn’t know a single person. You’d ask questions too.”
    â€œNot like hers. Look, I’m sure she’s nice and all, but something about her seems off. That’s all.”
    I tried not to pay too much attention to what Arlene said. I tried not to think about their reaction to each other at lunch, which had resulted in anything but insta-friends. I tried not to think about the flowers, even though the jokes had been few and far between today. Basically, I tried not to think at all. And it was working out for me.
    Until I got to science class and Kirstie slipped me a note that read, “She’s the one. Meet me by the marquee after school!”

5
    Do You Stand Out from the Crowd, or Blend In with the