“You didn’t tell him?” Abi places her hand on her hip and shakes her head.

“Watch out!”

We both jump to miss the foam ball someone has thrown our way. We’re playing dodgeball in gym, and Abi and I seem to be everyone’s favorite targets. Still, it’s nice to be able to talk to her out in the open without having to stress about what people think.

“I couldn’t. Honestly, I’m just glad he’s still talking to me. I think we might even get back to being friends. Nothing would make me happier.”

“Mmm hmm.” Abi pops an exaggerated head weave. “Don’t even try that on me, girlfriend.” She ducks to avoid another ball.

“Hey! No head shots!” I stomp over to the dude who threw it. “What do you think you’re doing? Apologize.”

Abi waves him off. “Forget it, Lexi. Not worth it.”

“No. I mean it.” I turn toward the crowd watching us. “You can throw the stupid ball at me all you want, but leave Abi out of it. She never did anything to you. She was my assistant, and she’s …” I glance at her. “My friend, but I was the one who called the shots. I’m the one who supposedly ruined your lives.”

“Supposedly?” Annie Blevins, a short red-headed girl with big eyes and a mouth to match, steps forward. I set her up New Year’s Eve with a guy from her English class. “You still don’t get it, do you? You took our money and screwed us over. Did you really think coaching me to become a huge football fan overnight was going to work? Did you honestly believe knowing the stats of the entire Redskins offensive line was going to be my ticket to true love?”

I draw myself up to my full five feet, nine inches and glare down at Annie. “Yes, actually, I did. And so did you.” I wave my finger at the whole group. “So did all of you. And you were happy to go along with it as long as it worked. So maybe it didn’t last. And maybe I screwed up. Fine. Hate me if you want, but I was trying to help. I was trying to help you find love, and if that’s a crime, well, I guess I’m guilty as charged.” I turn and stalk away toward the girls’ locker room. I’ve dodged enough balls for one day.

I change in the very back of the room, hoping to avoid everyone, but it’s no use. As I’m fastening the belt to my jeans, Alicea Springer corners me.

“Lexi?”

I sigh and sink down onto the nearest bench. Here we go. “Alicea, I’m not in the mood. I know you’re pissed, and you have every right to be, and I’m sorry. I really am. I’m sorry I did such a crappy job setting you up, I’m sorry you and Ty broke up right before prom, and I’m really, truly sorry for the way things turned out with him and Lindsay.”

“Well, I appreciate that, but—”

“But what?” I tear up, and my voice cracks. Damn it. The last thing I want is to let my classmates see me cry, but a girl can only take so much. “You’re just dying to tell me how much I screwed up your life, aren’t you? You want to pile on? Fine. Bring it. Bring the hate.”

“Actually, that’s not why I’m here.” Alicea sits down next to me. “I’m here to thank you.”

Thank me?

“I was always super shy around guys. I never knew what to say, or how to say it. I worried so much about sounding stupid; I wouldn’t say anything at all. In fact, I did the same thing around girls, adults, little kids, pretty much everyone. But you changed all that.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You and your emails.” She gazes off into the distance and recites, “You’re beautiful and brilliant, and you have a voice that matters. Now use it! Sound familiar?”

I nod. I don’t remember typing those exact words, but it sounds like something the Boyfriend Whisperer would have said, especially to someone as quiet and withdrawn as Alicea.

“I read those words over and over until I believed them. And they worked. They got me to talk to Ty. Not only that, I made friends with a few girls in my dance class, and I even aced my oral report in poli-sci last week. Mr. Bartlett said I spoke with passion and conviction. Me!”

“Wow, that’s awesome. That’s amazing.” I remember Chris’s crack that night at Italiano’s about Alicea having more face time with her computer than with guys. Did my emails really give her that kind of confidence?

Alicea grabs my hands in hers. “I mean it. Thank you. You’ve changed my life.”

I smile and give her a long, tight hug. Maybe Boyfriend Whisperer Enterprises did some good after all.