Read Online Girls We Love by J. Minter - Free Book Online

don’t think Mom …,” David started. “Um, never mind. I’m sure you’re right.”
    â€œI know I’m right,” SBB said, grabbing at David’s T-shirt, “which is why I’m so afraid.”
    â€œAfraid of what?”
    â€œWell”—SBB opened her blue eyes at David—“I need some girl time.”
    â€œGirl time?”
    â€œYeah, with my new friends. Flan and Lynn.”
    â€œLynn?” David said, twisting a little bit so that SBB had to let go of his shirt. “You mean Liv?”
    â€œRight, Liv,” SBB said. “Oh, you’re annoyed, aren’t you? But listen, because I can’t see any of my old friends, I really need to spend some time with my new girlfriends. Is that okay with you and Mom? I mean, you and Hilary?”
    â€œYeah,” David said, “sure, that’s cool. Go hang with Liv. And Flan. Flan and Liv.”
    â€œOkay,” SBB said. “Are you sure? It’s really okay if… ”
    â€œNo, go… go…,” David said, taking SBB’s two small hands in his, squeezing them, and then letting them go.
    â€œOh no!” she wailed, covering her face with her hands. “You
are
mad!”
    â€œNo, no, no!” David waved at her, like he was trying to direct traffic in a snowstorm. “Not mad, not mad!”
    She peeked through her fingers. “Really?”
    â€œNo! I mean, yes! Please, go, have fun. I’m okay. Really.”
    A smile broke out over Sara-Beth’s face, and she threw her arms around David again, this time at his middle. “David, you are such… a good…
mmmph
… guy.”
    â€œThanks,” David said, petting her head. “I’m going to go catch the beginning of the Yankees game on TV, okay? Say bye when you leave?”
    â€œOkay.” Sara-Beth beamed a smile up at David—good, understanding David.
    â€œOh, and by the way, I might come by Patch’s later. Might not happen, but Arno and I were talking about going over there tonight. But don’t worry, I know not to crowd,” David said, taking a deep breath. “You won’t even know I’m there.”
    Sara-Beth threw on a low-key Barneys black knit poncho over tight black leggings, and then put her black wig back on. She waved good-bye to the Grobarts, who looked like the light was about to go out of their lives—sometimes, she felt like they needed her as much as she needed them, but only sometimes. Then she hurried down to her waiting limo. On the way to Flan’s house, she made the driver pull over for a bottle of Baileys and three packages of tamari-flavored rice crisps.
    When SBB got to the Floods’, she was greeted on the steps by her two new younger girlfriends.
    â€œHi!” Flan said, jumping up and kissing SBB on either cheek.
    â€œHello, sweetie,” SBB said. “You look just gorgeous.”
    â€œThanks,” Flan said, brushing her brownish hair over her ear and looking sort of embarrassed by the compliment. She ducked her head when she talked, which SBB knew from her movement class signified humility. “This is my friend Liv, who I told you about.”
    Liv extended her hand forcefully. “It’s such an honor,” she said. “I mean, your spread in
W
? The Mumbai look? My total fashion inspiration for all of second-semester eighth grade!”
    â€œThat’s nice of you to say,” SBB said, lowering her voice and looking around to make sure nobody on Perry Street was watching. “But I’m really not here to be my celebrity self. This is just me, okay?”
    â€œOkay,” Flan said, ushering her into the house and then up the stairs. “We made cookies, too, so you can feel really normal!”
    SBB felt her heart clutch a little. “Oh… thanks. You girls are terrible, though! I have to be camera-ready in like under two weeks!”
    â€œOh, that’s okay!” Flan