Read Online #3 Truth and Kisses by Laurie Friedman - Free Book Online Page B

p.m.
Study Hall
    This day has continued to go shockingly well. This morning, all of my teachers let us have Valentine’s celebrations in class. Mrs. Thompson even brought in pink glazed doughnuts and gave each of us cards that said You light my Bunsen burner. It was weird—and maybe slightly inappropriate—but still, it was sweet of her to try.
    At lunch, Brynn was in the newsroom putting the “finishing touches” on her article, which meant I got to eat lunch alone with Billy. “So, are you ready for the dance tonight?” he asked. He bumped my shoulder with his like we used to do when we were going out.
    I nodded. “Want to tell me about any of the surprises you have planned?” I looked right into Billy’s eyes as I spoke.
    Billy held my gaze. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
    I can’t wait to find out!
    5:30 p.m.
Home from the community center
    Being anxious about tonight because of a card is dumb.
    I’d been excited all day about the dance tonight and the possibility of what might happen with Billy, but something happened at the community center that dampened my spirits. There was no rehearsal this afternoon, just a party. Ms. Baumann brought juice and heart-shaped cookies with red and white sprinkles. Everyone on the dance team gave the girls at the community center cards we’d made. The one I’d made for Des had a lip kiss on the front that I’d done myself with Mom’s red lipstick.
    Des had made a card for me too. She’d drawn a picture of a sandwich and a bag of potato chips on the front. I thought it was a strange image for a Valentine’s card. “ I hope you get the sandwich and the chips,” it said on the inside. I shook my head at Des. “I don’t mean to be dumb, but I’m not sure I get it.”
    She shrugged. “I hope you get everything you want tonight,” she said. Then she lowered her voice. “You know, like, if it doesn’t work out, I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
    I felt my stomach turn over. As I sat there munching cookies and sipping juice, I found myself wondering if her words were in some way weirdly prophetic. I thought about it all the way home. Bottom line: it’s stupid to worry about a strange Valentine’s card when I have a dance to get ready for.
    6:43 p.m.
Dressed
But not sure I’m ready
    Not that May and June are fashion experts, but when they saw me dressed for the dance, they both said, “You look pretty!” at the same time. They were a chorus of sameness, which usually bothers me, but tonight I liked it.
    Mom called Dad to come home from the diner so he could take pictures. “You look beautiful, sweetheart,” he said when he saw me.
    Even though he’s my dad, it was nice to hear it. I just hope Billy has the same reaction. Hopefully when he sees me, he’ll know for sure (I mean, hopefully he knows already) that he wants to get back together. I was so confident about it the other night when we were on the phone, but now I’m not so sure. Des’s card kind of weirded me out. If he doesn’t say something to me, I can still say something to him. That was my original plan anyway.
    Not a big deal. Either way, tonight should have a happy ending.
    11:17 p.m.
Happy endings don’t exist
At least, not at school dances
    Tonight was the most disastrous night ever.
    It didn’t start that way. The gym looked amazing. There were silver sparkly things hanging from the ceiling, lights everywhere, a DJ, a crepe maker, and a Dippin’ Dots cart. When I walked in, I could tell everyone was super pumped and upbeat. Brynn was already there talking to Heather, Kelly, and Julia. I walked up to their group, and Brynn gave me a huge hug. “You look gorgeous!” she squealed.
    â€œI love your dress!” Heather said. Kelly and Julia both nodded in agreement.
    â€œSee!” Brynn said. “Aren’t