When I got to school the next morning,

I sat on a bench in the lobby.

I figured I’d sit there reading

until the warning bell rang.

Because I didn’t want to see Pearl.

Only,

before I could even pull out my book,

Pearl walked into the lobby

and saw me.

And

before I could decide whether to hurry away,

she headed straight over

and sat down beside me!

“Hey,” she said.

Very quietly, for Pearl.

I didn’t answer—

I hadn’t figured out what to say.

That’s why I’d been trying to avoid her.

She looked worried.

Then she said, “Did I do something bad?

Or say something wrong?

I know you’re mad at me.

But I can’t think of why!”

I hesitated.

Then I said,

“You talked to Ainsley about me.

I don’t like that.”

Pearl looked confused.

“I must’ve said good things,” she said.

“No, you didn’t!” I said.

“You said I’m too nice to Antoine

and my dad sings like a garbage truck.

She told me that!”

“Oh,” Pearl said,

covering her mouth with her hand.

Obviously remembering.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“I wasn’t trying to be mean!

I was just telling her about you.

Because you’re my best friend!”

“How could ‘garbage truck’ not be mean?” I said.

“And how could it not be mean

to say I’m bad with my dog?”

“It came out wrong!” Pearl said.

Her voice was quivery.

Then she said,

“I don’t want you to be mad at me!

You’re as important to me

as paper is to pencil!”

“You hurt my feelings,” I said.

My voice was quivery, too.

We both sat there,

very miserable.

Then Pearl sat up a little straighter.

I could tell she’d had an idea.

So I said, “What?”

And she said,

“How about if I tell you something about Ainsley?

Would that make things fair?”

“What do you mean?” I said. “What kind of thing?”

Pearl looked to her right

and to her left,

like a spy.

Then she whispered in my ear,

“Ainsley has a crush on Adam.”

“She does?” I said,

too loudly.

I’d never dreamed of anyone ever

having a crush on Adam.

Pearl nodded, then whispered,

“She thinks he’s cute.”

“Adam?” I said,

making sure I’d heard right.

Adam was a nice person.

And smart, too.

But cute?

“Shhh,” Pearl said with wide eyes.

“You have to promise never to tell anyone.

It’s a secret.

I swore I wouldn’t tell.”

“I promise,” I said.

We smiled at each other

for the first time in forever

as the warning bell rang.

Then we hurried together to class.