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paintings.
    I made sure that when Jess came over to my house for the first time, Dad hid my pottery attempts that he usually displays on the mantel. Not proudly, he always likes to tease me, but because they are excellent conversation starters. I don’t protest this. My Christmas robin is quite literally a blob of clay with a red circle in the middle.
    â€œAnna.” Jess sighed. “They won’t be looking for someone like me, will they? I’m sure Brendan’s mom will be much happier with someone like Sophie who can hang on to her every word and look the part.”
    â€œYou look the perfect part,” I said sharply. “Come on; if you don’t get one, then I’ll buy one for you.”
    She finally gave in to my pestering, and we made our way over to the table. Sophie saw us approaching and nudged Josie in the ribs, who looked up and immediately scowled.“What do you want?” she spat, folding her arms.
    â€œI’m so sorry about chemistry, Josie,” I squeaked, feeling genuinely bad. “If there’s anything I can do—”
    â€œPersonally,” Jess interrupted chirpily, “I think your hair looks much better that length, Josie.”
    â€œThat hardly makes things okay,” Sophie replied angrily, tilting her head.
    â€œYes.” Josie pouted, taking her cue as ever from Queen Sophie. “There’s nothing you can do about it now.”
    â€œGreat, glad that’s all sorted,” Jess said firmly. “Now, I’d like to buy a raffle ticket please.”
    Sophie’s mouth dropped open. “You. You would like to buy a raffle ticket.”
    â€œYes, one please.”
    â€œBut”—Josie sniggered, looking her up and down—“you clearly don’t care about . . . the way things look.”
    Jess’s cheeks started to go red.
    â€œI’m not really sure it’s your thing, Jess,” Sophie said with a tone of mock regret and then shrugged. “I wouldn’t bother buying a ticket. It’s professional photography.”
    Jess looked at the ground, embarrassed, and I’m really not quite sure what came over me, but suddenly words were coming out of my mouth.
    â€œTen tickets please.”
    They all stared at me in shock. “Yeah, ten.” I repeated in a squeakier tone than I would have liked. I reached into my purse and held out the money.
    Sophie snorted and Josie followed suit, but there was now a small line beginning to form behind me. Josie looked at Sophie for instruction. Sophie pursed her lips and gave a curt nod. Josie snatched the money and shoved the tickets across the table.
    I walked away triumphantly, my heart slamming against my chest.
    â€œWell, what do you know.” Jess grinned as I passed her the tickets. She gave me a small grateful nudge. “Thanks.”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    Sitting in French later that afternoon, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Beatus dance. What would happen if they didn’t let me in because I didn’t have a date? Even worse, what would happen if they did let me in, but then everyone was dancing in pairs and I was the ONLY one not dancing?! What would happen if everyone started pointing and laughing at me because I was so pathetic?! WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GENUINELY DID HAVE TO BRING DOG AS MY DATE?!
    This called for emergency note passing with Jess.
    Hey—can I ask you a question?
    Anna, you’re passing notes in French? Are you crazy?! She’ll catch us! Ms. Brockley is very smart—she does archery in her spare time.
    It’s important.
    Okay, go on then, ask away.
    Would you date me?
    What?
    If you were a boy, would you date me?
    This is uncomfortable.
    No it’s not. I need to know.
    Well I don’t know. Probably not.
    WHAT? WHY NOT?
    Because of your obsession with your dog. He’s cute and everything but you’re out of control.
    Do I talk about Dog a lot?
    Yes. But maybe not