Camp Confidential 09 - Best (Boy)friend Ever by Melissa J. Morgan Page B

sudden.
    Brynn rolled her eyes. “Has Jordan been eating funny mushrooms in the nature shack or something? Because he was out of control at the play. He started talking about how it was all about acne.”
    Thanks for not mentioning that detail, Jordan , Priya thought. “He was nervous. He really wanted to impress you, Brynn.”
    “Is that why he totally took credit for somebody else’s review and made it sound like it was his own—before all the pimple talk?” Brynn picked up Sophie’s bubble bath and took a whiff.
    “Yeah. That’s exactly why,” Priya said. “Jordan doesn’t know much about plays. But he knows you like them. And I told him you wanted a boyfriend who likes the same things you like—remember you said that the other night?” Priya didn’t mention that she’d started the whole conversation just to get that info from Brynn. “He read a bunch of reviews last night so he could talk to you about the play today—the way you wanted a guy to be able to do.”
    “Oh. That’s kind of . . .” Brynn let her words trail off as she fiddled with the top of the bubble bath.
    “Flattering?” Priya suggested.
    “Yeah,” Brynn admitted. A little smile twitched at one corner of her mouth.
    Priya rushed on. “You’re probably thinking, what good is it to be flattered by a stupid freak boy who lies?” Why did I say that? she thought. That wasn’t exactly helpful. “But that’s not Jordan. I know him the way you know Alex. He’s my best friend. So let me give you the skinny. You can trust Jordan. He knows all this embarrassing stuff about me, and he never blabs. And he’s funny—not just in the dumb way, like about the zits. He’s always making me laugh. And Sarah was saying that was important in a boyfriend, remember? And I think it’s cool. Who doesn’t like to laugh, right? He can make you laugh even if you’re all upset about something.”
    Priya gulped, then continued. “And he’ll try anything, as long as it doesn’t involve eating weird food. I’m sure you could get him to go to another play or whatever. And he comes up with lots of fun games. He’s fun. And maybe he’s not totally gorgeous. But he is cute, right? I mean, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about cuteness. But his eyelashes are amazing. And his eyes are like moss—in a good way. And his freckles. I just like them. And he’s a good dancer. Probably because he’s really athletic. You want a guy who’s a good dancer, you said so. You should go with him to the Potomac cruise. He wants you to. There’s going to be dancing there, and you could see for yourself. Plus Jordan is really—”
    “Stop! My ears are about to implode!” Brynn reached out and put her fingers over Priya’s lips. “So, he’s a great guy, that’s what you’re saying? Just nod yes or no.”
    Priya nodded yes. Jordan was the best. The absolute best.
    “And if I gave him another chance, I’d probably like him,” Brynn continued.
    Priya nodded yes again. Harder. “And he likes you! I forgot to say that!” she burst out. “Jordan really, really likes you!”
    And I really, really like him! Priya realized, horrified.
    He’s the best.
    And he’s funny.
    And he’s fun.
    And he’s athletic.
    And he’s cute. With the eyelashes, and the freckles, and the moss green eyes.
    And he’s trustworthy.
    He’s just the best in every way.
    And I completely, totally LIKE him like him , Priya thought.
    I liiiiiiiiiiiiiike him.
    “Then tell him I’ll go to the Potomac cruise with him,” Brynn said.
    “O-okay,” Priya answered.
    What did I do? Priya silently wailed. What did I just go and do?

chapter SEVEN

    “Are you trying to kill me?” Jordan asked under his breath. “I gotta know the deal.” He squeezed between Grace and Priya as the tour group gathered in the Pierce Mill the next morning. The mill was kept in the same condition it had been in in the 1820s. It couldn’t actually grind grain anymore, but people were raising money to