“Yeah, she’s as dumb as she is dramatic. Every time I threaten to break up with her, she starts bawling and apologizing. I’m over it! I hope she leaves me alone, so I can dump her!”
Mitch laughed next to him: “No way you’re
getting rid of Sunnie that easily. She’s like a
freaking barnacle. I bet if you don’t go home
tonight, she’ll be here tomorrow, crying and
begging you to take her back.”
“Bet! Let’s make a bet. The loser buys dinner!”
2
Sam didn’t come home that night.
I didn’t blow up his phone like I used to.
<
After my parents died, Sam’s grandpa took me
in and paid for me to go to school with Sam.
Sam was really good to me.
He always stuck up for me when I was being
bullied at school.
Sam and I had always gone to the same
schools, elementary, middle, and high school.
I’d been living with Sam since I was eight years
old.
We’d been best friends for ten years.
Sam remembered when my period was due, and
he’d make me tea with honey when I had
cramps.
He’d buy pads for me.
We were inseparable, like two peas in a pod.
<
Everyone said I was Sam’s childhood
sweetheart, and Sam never denied it.
You could say that after ten years of living
together, I was used to Sam being a part of my
life.
I really couldn’t live without him.
I’d been picturing my future with Sam..
We’d go to the same college, graduate
together, get married, have kids.
I always thought nothing could ever come
between Sam and me.
But things changed when Max, the scholarship
student, came to live with us.
Max came to the Bradfords when she was a
sophomore.
<
Her mom was sick and needed a million–dollar
surgery.
Max begged the Bradfords, kneeling in front of
Sam’s grandpa, begging him to help her mom.
The Bradfords had the money to spare, and
Sam’s grandpa was a good guy.
He agreed to help Max, and her mom got the
surgery.
Because Max was so pitiful, hardworking, and
filial, Sam’s grandpa arranged for her to
transfer to our school.
He even offered up an apartment for Max and
her mom to live in, rent–free.
Sam and I were sympathetic, so we went to
visit Max’s mom in the hospital.
We helped Max with her homework.
Things were pretty smooth between the three
of us until one day.
I went to bring Max’s mom some chicken soup
that our housekeeper had made, and I heard.
Max and her mom talking outside the hospital
room.
Max’s mom asked Max, “Have you made any
progress with Sam yet?”
“Yeah, Sam really likes me, but Sunnie is
always following him around like a lost puppy. I
haven’t been able to split them up.
11
“Well, get on it. The Bradfords are the richest
family in North Ridge. If you can land the son,
it’ll change our lives, and we can live in a
mansion and drive fancy cars and never be
poor and pathetic again.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m gonna win Sam over!”
<
I never thought I’d hear something like that, and
I made a noise.
Then Max and her mom saw me.
