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annoyed. I took a deep breath and tried to think calm thoughts.
    â€œThe one good thing in all of it is that I have learned what’s really important in life,” said Tristan.
    â€œLike a state championship in track,” said Mark, slapping Tristan on the back, “which Tintagel has never had.”
    Mark cared about stuff like state championships for the school.
    I looked over to see Branna focused intensely on the two of them, and then it hit me: Tristan was perfect for her. She wanted someone serious enough to think about eternal love, and Tristan had to be pretty serious after his parents died. He had a long-term perspective, and he seemed strong and sensitive. Plus he hadn’t spent the last year ignoring her, like the guy Branna thought she was in love with, whoever he was.
    Tristan would be a lot better for her than that guy, and I had just the thing to convince her: the love philtre in my backpack. I could skip all the stuff about trying to find out who Branna was in love with, because that wouldn’t matter anymore.
    Maybe some people would say that it wasn’t my place to decide who Branna should be in love with. But it wasn’t like she was doing a good job of this on her own. I was the one who had the perfect boyfriend, so I figured that gave me the right to make things perfect for my best friend.
    Plus I wouldn’t have to worry about Tristan giving me that smile. He’d save it for Branna, and that would be quite a relief. I didn’t need any temptation close by. Mark was the guy for me.
    I didn’t think I needed hair or anything for Mom’s love philtre to work, just an excuse to get Tristan and Branna each to drink half of the love philtre. It couldn’t be that hard, right?
    Sure, my mom would say I should tell them what I was asking them to drink, so they could make a choice and all that. But who cared about choice when you could have happiness instead? I could hardly wait!
    There would be double dates from now until the day Branna and I graduated from Tintagel High! Tristan and Mark were even friends already, so there would be no conflict between them.
    â€œYou going to sit with us at the game tonight?” asked Mark.
    â€œYes, certainly. That would be ideal,” said Tristan. “Who else will be attending?” He was looking at me and Branna.
    â€œIzzie’s coming with me, and Branna always goes wherever Izzie does,” said Mark. Branna glanced at me ruefully.
    â€œAnyone thirsty?” I asked, and took out the Sprite bottle with the love philtre mixed in. I unscrewed the cap and held it out to Tristan.
    â€œWant some?” I asked, and smiled widely at him.
    â€œI wouldn’t wish to take something that belonged to you,” he said.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” I said. “I can’t drink it all myself. I’ll get fat. I forgot to get diet this time.”
    â€œIzzie?” said Branna. She knows I hate diet soda. I only drink the real stuff, and I don’t spend much of my life worrying about getting fat. It’s one of the things she and I have in common. We are the size we are, and we don’t like to listen to girls who were thin as pencils whine about how many calories a carrot has.
    Darn it! I should have thought of something better to say in front of Branna. Now I didn’t know how I was going to get her to drink.
    â€œGo ahead, do her a favor, Tristan,” said Mark. Tristan shrugged and put the bottle up to his mouth.
    I wondered if there would be some visible sign of magic, but I didn’t see anything when he tried to hand the bottle back to me. I shook my head. Maybe he hadn’t drunk enough of it yet. “Take some more. Please,” I said. “I don’t want to drink all that.”
    â€œIf you wish it,” said Tristan, staring at me steadily.
    Branna hadn’t drunk any of the philtre yet, so Tristan wouldn’t stare at her lovingly, but maybe he would