#3 Truth and Kisses by Laurie Friedman

to be my best friend. You and Billy and I are all supposed to be best friends. I know you like Billy, but you haven’t said the first word about it to me, and now you’re telling me that kissing him was no big deal?” My lips were starting to tremble.
    Brynn stood there silent for long time. Whenever we have an issue, she’s always defensive. This time was no exception. “April, there’s nothing going on between Billy and me.”
    That wasn’t an answer to my question. “You’re so into ‘brutal honesty’ but you can’t even admit that you like Billy?”
    I waited for Brynn to confirm what we both knew was the truth, but she didn’t do that. “I think we need to take a break,” said Brynn.
    I nodded.
    I couldn’t have agreed more.
    9:45 p.m.
In my room
    Billy just called. He didn’t waste any time on small talk. “What’s going on with you? You haven’t picked up when I’ve called, and I know you and Brynn had a fight at school.”
    I wasn’t sure if I wanted to say: I saw you kissing at the dance. Or: I thought it seemed like you wanted to get back together. Or even: Funny how neither you nor Brynn mentioned anything to me about how you’re a couple now. So all I said was, “Everything’s fine.”
    Billy hesitated, like he was thinking before he spoke. “It just seems like you’ve been upset all week.” He paused. “I guess I just want to know what you’re thinking.”
    â€œNothing,” I lied. I know I could have said that I don’t like it when he and Brynn kiss, or when he says things like “I miss this.” But I didn’t say any of that. Billy hates it when I won’t tell him what’s on my mind.
    It felt incredibly satisfying to just stay quiet.
    Friday, February 21, 6:03 p.m.
Big problems
    Brynn and Billy are the least of my problems. Even though Brynn and I aren’t speaking and Billy’s upset because I won’t tell him what’s on my mind, my biggest problem is Des. Today as I was helping her into her costume for dress rehearsal, which is tomorrow, I could see tears welling up in her eyes. “What’s the matter?” I asked.
    â€œI’m not ready for the show.” I looked at poor Des, and her face said it all. Tomorrow is dress rehearsal, and she didn’t feel confident. She was scared.
    â€œYou’ll be OK,” I said to Des. But my words sounded weak, even to me.
    Saturday, February 22
Dress rehearsal disaster
    My problems continue to multiply. Dress rehearsal was a complete disaster for Des. When she was supposed to go left, she went right. When she should have gone right, I don’t know where she went. It’s not a competition, but most of the other girls looked better than she did. When we were done going through the show, Ms. Baumann pulled me aside. “April, you need to do something.”
    Clearly.
    3:45 p.m.
Back from the diner
    I went to the diner to talk to Dad. I had to talk to somebody, and his years of writing an advice column for the Faraway newspaper have always made him a better-than-average choice in my mind. When I got there, he was already in his office. He looked up when he saw me. “April,” he smiled. “What brings you here?” He knows the only reason I’d come to the diner on a Saturday afternoon is because I needed to talk.
    I sat down in a chair and took a Tootsie Roll out of the bowl on his desk. He didn’t say a word while I chewed and swallowed. I got straight to the point. “Brynn and I both like Billy.”
    Dad raised an eyebrow like he wanted me to elaborate, so I did. I told him everything that happened. When I was done, he sat for a minute with his lips pursed, like he was thinking. Then he spoke. “You know, you’re not the first set of friends to fight over a guy,” he said.
    I hadn’t expected that. “Can you give me an example of