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“And that gives her the right to pick on me and use my best friend in whatever games she’s playing with her boyfriend?”
“Well, no. But –”
“Tiana, stop,” I interrupt. “I don’t need to hear her excuses right now. I just… I can’t listen to her talk about what happened between her and Oli. He has no idea that she’s with Joel, does he?”
She doesn’t say anything, but colour seeps into her cheeks.
I sigh. “Look, you should get back to class.”
“What are you doing?”
It’s my turn to shrug. “Ditching.”
Tiana nods. “I’ll cover for you. I’ll tell Ms Meaks you went home sick.”
I offer her a small smile. “Thanks, Tiana. I appreciate it.”
∞
I’m working on my article for the magazine in my bedroom when my phone pings with a message. Surprise and some unidentifiable emotion sweep through me when I see it’s from Oliver. Hesitating, I don’t know if I want to ignore it or see what he has to say. Eventually curiosity wins over.
Sorry about yesterday, I was so hungover! Wanna hang out later?
I stare at my phone. I want my best friend back, but I don’t know this Oliver. The old Oliver would never snap at me and ignore me for days. I’m trying to be there for him, but he isn’t making it easy for me. Then he goes and sends me text messages like this.Ugh!Nothing was this complicated before that bloody kiss at his birthday, now everything is just awkward and confusing.
Sorry, got an article to finish for the magazine. Rain check?
I sigh and place the phone face down on my desk. The run in with Sarah and Caley is way too fresh in my memory. I focus back on my laptop, rereading the last thing I wrote:
Frenemies are people who make plans with you, only to cancel on you when something better comes along. They view every interaction as a competition they need to win to feel better about themselves. They’ll offer you support when you need it, but they can’t take pleasure in your successes. You don’t necessarily need to cut these people out of your life completely, but you can minimise the effect these toxic friendships have on your mental wellbeing. Create backup plans so you are not left on your own when they bail, congratulate them on their successes-but manage your expectations for how they will react to yours, and limit how much you rely on them when you have a problem.
My thoughts turn immediately to Tiana. We’ve only been working together on the magazine for a week, but I already know she’s nothing like Sarah and Caley. She’s kind and doesn’t try to make the people around her miserable just because she can. My stomach churns when I remember her words the other day about why Sarah’s going after Oliver. As hurt as I feel over his indifference towards me on the weekend, I don’t want him sucked in by Sarah’s vindictive actions. He’s still my best friend.
Picking up my phone, I tap out a new message.
Come over after school.
Unable to concentrate, I try distracting myself with a movie. I’m not in the mood for anything soppy and romantic, so I opt forHarry Potter. Halfway through the second movie there’s a knock on my bedroom door. I look up as Oliver lets himself in.
“Hey you.” He nudges me with his knee as he drops on to my bed.
I try to smile, but it’s more of a grimace.
He raises his eyebrows, cocking his head at me.
“Something wrong?”
There’s no way out of this, I have to tell him the truth. Sighing, I pause the movie and sit up, leaning against the wall for support. I pick at a loose thread on my top. “Uh, so you hooked up with Sarah Kelly on Saturday night?”
Oliver’s smile wavers, and he rubs the back of his neck. “Uh, I didn’t realise you knew her.”
“We go to school together.”
“I had no idea.” He drops his eyes to the floor.
“Look,” I say. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us anymore. I know the kiss at your birthday party didn’t mean anything.” He opens his mouth, but I raise my hand to stop him. “No, it’s fine. Our friendship means more to me than whatever that was.” I swallow hard realising as I say the words I’m lying. The kiss did mean more than I thought, but clearly my feelings on that don’t matter anymore.
“Hannah–” Oliver tries to interrupt again but I shake my head.
