Too Much Drama by Laurie Friedman

told them why she hadn’t invited me, based on the fact that no one seemed to want anything to do with me at practice. I was ostracized like Hester Prynne in
The Scarlet Letter
(which we’re reading in English.) And as I was leaving practice, Kate came up to me and said she was sorry she mentioned the spa day to me. “I felt bad,” she said. “I didn’t realize you and Brynn aren’t friends anymore.”
    â€œNo problem,” I said.
    Then Kate said “Brynn told everyone what Sophie did at the party.” She made a face like just the memory of what Brynn told her was unpleasant. “I didn’t see it. But it sounded bad—Sophie moving in on Billy like that. It sounds like she was being pretty aggressive.” She raised a brow like she was waiting for me to respond.
    I felt like I had to defend Sophie, even though I really didn’t want to get dragged into this. “Since you didn’t see it, don’t you think you’re being pretty judgmental?”
    Kate ignored my question. “I know she’s related to you or something, but it’s wrong that she kissed someone else’s boyfriend.”
    â€œBilly isn’t Brynn’s boyfriend anymore.”
    Kate looked at me like she couldn’t believe I’d said that. “Is. Was. Same difference. And you’re supposed to be her best friend.”
    â€œ
Was
. I was her best friend,” I said.
    Kate looked at me like she couldn’t believe those words had come out of my mouth. “Brynn said you don’t get it, and it’s a shame,” Kate said.
    I couldn’t believe she was getting so involved in something that clearly had nothing to do with her. A lot happened between Brynn and me, and Brynn had clearly only told her half of the story. I thought about telling Kate my side of things, but what was the point? She was just one person on the team. There were lots of others. What was I supposed to do? Go person to person and repeat myself? Plus, Kate had already picked her side. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and left.
    I’d heard enough for one day.
    Tuesday, January 13
Study Hall
    As Sophie and I were leaving lunch, she told me that Beth Schimberg told her that Kelly Blake said she heard the reason Brynn and I aren’t friends anymore is because she (Sophie) likes Billy, and I (April) didn’t do anything to stop it.
    â€œIsn’t that nuts?” said Sophie. “I mean seriously, who thinks like that?”
    I hadn’t told Sophie what was happening on the dance team, because I knew it would make her feel awful if she thought people were being mean to me because of something she did. Plus, it seemed like the problem was pretty contained to just the girls on the dance team. But if Brynn was starting to drag in other random people like Beth and Kelly, who were now bringing Sophie into the drama, I didn’t have much of a choice.
    â€œI guess Brynn can be pretty vindictive when she’s upset,” I said to Sophie.
    â€œBut to say that the two of you aren’t friends because I like Billy is ridiculous.” Sophie paused, and then looked at me. “I’m going to try to talk to her,” she said.
    I shook my head. “I don’t think you should get into it with Brynn,” I said. “I’ve known her for a long time and I promise, there’s nothing you can say that could make matters better.”
    â€œThey can’t get worse,” said Sophie.
    Unfortunately, I think they can.
    9:45 p.m.
Just talked to Sophie
Who talked to Billy
About Brynn
    Sophie called me tonight right when I’d gotten out of the shower. I was still soaking wet and wasn’t even going to answer, but I dried off my hand and one side of my head and face so I could talk.
    â€œI told Billy what Brynn has been saying about you, and Billy told me that he’s going to try to talk to Brynn,” said Sophie as soon as I answered the phone.