CALLIE AND I NEEDED TWO TABLES IN ORCHARD to hold all of our books, papers, folders, and notes. I’d always liked visiting Orchard’s common room. The walls were painted a light cranberry and trimmed with oatmeal-colored paint. The colors made the room feel sophisticated—like a college hangout.
“This,” Callie said, “is ridiculous.” She shook her head at our mess.
“Totally. The teachers have lost it. I mean, I don’t even know where to start.”
“But at least that’s been the only bad part about school starting,” Callie said, smiling. “We knew there would be tons of homework and we’ll get it done. Everything else has been so awesome. I missed you and Jacob so much over the summer and it’s been so much fun hanging out. It was hard to be away from Jacob for a whole summer.”
“I get it. And that’s great,” I said, flipping to a clean sheet of paper. “Is he superbusy too?”
“Yeah, we have to coordinate schedules just to get coffee. It’s so wrong.”
“Same thing with Eric and me. Our phones are having the relationship right now. At least I get to see him once in a while at the stable.”
Callie giggled. “How’s riding? Tell me about it. We’ve barely had a chance to talk about that.”
“It’s hard,” I said. “I’m just trying to focus on myself and not worry about Heather and Jasmine. If I could stop worrying about them, things would be so much easier.”
“Absolutely. That’s your thing—you’re good and you don’t give yourself enough credit. You can absolutely compete with those girls. You’re going to kill at shows.”
There wasn’t a hint of insincerity in Callie’s voice.
“Thanks.” I smiled. “How are your lessons going?”
“Pretty well,” Callie said. “You would have been so proud of Eric and me today.”
“What happened?”
Callie uncapped her Zebra highlighter. “We worked on jumping in the outdoor arena today. Mr. Conner set up a bunch of verticals of increasing height. We both got called out by Mr. Conner for having the best form when we jumped.”
“Niiice.” I raised my palm for a high five. “Eric didn’t tell me about that.”
“He was cool about it,” Callie said. “But I couldn’t stop smiling after Mr. Conner said it to me. I told Eric that he was making me look bad.”
I sighed quietly. Callie and Eric—my best friend and boyfriend—were having fun together and I was miserable on my own team.
I flipped to the right chapter for history before glancing over at Callie. “So … do you and Eric talk a lot? Like, before or after class?”
Callie shrugged and wrote her name on her math worksheet. “Sometimes. You know how it is—there’s not really much time to talk. Everyone’s rushing around to get to the arena on time.”
“Yeah,” I said.
Callie glanced over at me. “You don’t care that we’re talking, right? Do you?”
“No, no!” I said. “I don’t care at all.” My voice got squeaky and I knew Callie would think I was lying. I didn’t care if they talked all day—I just hated that they were building a friendship because if they ever found out about my lies, that friendship would be ruined too.
Callie looked down at the table. “It’s just … I thought we were past that. After what happened with Jacob, you still don’t trust me with Eric?”
I dropped my pen and reached across the table to touch her arm. “Of course I do, Callie. I know it sounded that way, but it wasn’t what I meant at all. I promise.”
Callie stared at me for a minute, playing with her silver hoop earring. “Okay. Because you know I’d never do that again. Ever. I’m just so glad we’re best friends again. I’d never risk messing that up. And … I’m really happy with Jacob.”
Guilt. Guiltguiltguilt. “Just forget I said that. We are best friends. I don’t care at all if you talk to Eric. Really.”
Callie smiled. “Okay. And finally, right? No secrets—nothing. It’s a good feeling.”
I nodded and we went back to our homework. A few minutes later my phone buzzed. I leaned over and opened the phone.
Hope 2day’s lesson went btr.
Jacob.
I snapped the phone shut and took a breath before I sat up.
Right. No more secrets.