Annie had never called me before. It was kind of a miracle, actually. And I started wondering if one miracle could turn into two, so I picked up the phone.
I called Tony at the bakery. I’m glad the person who answered didn’t ask who was calling because I think I would have chickened out if I had to give my name.
“Oh, hey. What’s up?” Tony said after I said hello. He didn’t sound excited.
“Hi.” I bit my lip. “I just wanted to wish you a happy late birthday.”
He didn’t say anything right away. Maybe he thought I was trying to make him feel bad about not inviting me to his party. But that wasn’t it. Despite everything, he was my friend. I really meant it about wishing him a happy birthday.
“Thanks,” Tony finally said. There was another long pause. “I would’ve invited you, but I didn’t think you wanted to come.”
“Because at the mall you acted all mad at me or something,” Tony said.
For the second time in an hour, I was shocked. “I wasn’t mad,” I explained. “I was just trying not to embarrass you in front of that Kevin guy.”
“Well, that’s how it seemed,” Tony said.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I guess I messed up.”
Tony was quiet. But I could hear people in the bakery in the background. I wondered if the cranky cake decorator was nearby, glaring at him.
“I’m sorry, too,” Tony said. “Look, I can’t talk now. The bakery is super busy.”
I wasn’t ready to let him go. But I didn’t really have a choice. “Okay,” I said. “Friends?”
I held my breath.
“Sure,” Tony said brightly.
But I could tell he was just being nice.
Maybe he was just being nice all along.