Free Too Much Drama by Laurie Friedman

something’s troubling me. I told him what happened at the diner. “Brynn is being so unreasonable. How can she hold me responsible for what happens between Sophie and Billy?”
    This wasn’t the first time we’d discussed this. I knew Leo’s opinion on it. He thinks Brynn is lashing out at me when the real issue is between Brynn and Billy (why they broke up) and between Billy and Sophie (if they’re going to get together.) “You don’t even belong in this fight,” he said. “You’ve tried to be a friend to Brynn,” said Leo. “But it takes two.”
    I nodded. It was a pretty simple way of looking at things, but it’s the truth. “I get why you’re upset,” said Leo, sensing I wasn’t quite done with the topic. “Brynn was your BFF for a long time.”
    I giggled. It was funny to hear BFF come out of his mouth.
    He smiled. “I know what a BFF is,” he said and continued. “I think the only thing you should be asking yourself is if you did everything you could to try to talk to Brynn and be a friend to her.”
    â€œI did. But she was so mad at the diner. I’ve never seen her confront someone like that. Who knows what else she’ll do when school starts again?” Something tells me she’s not getting over this so fast.
    Leo dipped a pita chip into the little pile of hummus on his plate and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, then looked at me. “Why worry about tomorrow today?” he asked. “Especially when today is our last day to hang out for a while.”
    He had a point. “Why don’t we talk about you?” I said.
    â€œThe only topic I like talking about less than other people is myself,” said Leo.
    I wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily. “You’re leaving for college tomorrow. How do you feel?” I hadn’t meant to sound like I was interviewing him, but that’s how my question came off.
    â€œScared,” Leo said honestly. He paused. “My mom was the one who thought I should go to college, but my dad never did. He thinks I’m too young. I broke the tie, so now off I go. I know Tuscaloosa is only a few hours away, but it feels like I’m going to New Zealand.” Leo shrugged. “I hope it’s the right decision.”
    I felt like I needed to boost his confidence. “You’ll do great,” I said.
    Leo nodded like he appreciated my faith in him. “But there are a lot of things I’m going to miss,” he said.
    â€œLike what?” I asked flirtatiously.
    Leo laughed. “Like you, April.”
    â€œGood answer!” I told him.
    We left the food court and walked around the mall and talked. He drove me home, and I sat in his car for a long time in my driveway before I got out. I didn’t want to say good-bye, but it was getting late.
    When it was time for me to go in, Leo leaned across the seat and kissed my cheek. It was sweet, but sad. Then he told me he had a final good-bye gift for me. “I’ll send my first-ever text to you when I get to campus.”
    â€œI’m honored,” I said.
    â€œI really
am
going to miss you,” said Leo.
    â€œMe too,” I said.
    â€œYou’re going to miss you too?” asked Leo. “But you’ll be here with yourself every day, whereas I, on the other hand, won’t see you until I return home in February.” I knew he was teasing. The absurdity made me laugh even as I was telling him good-bye. Somehow, whenever I’m around him, I’m happy.
    Even when I’m sad.
    Sunday, January 4, 8:45 p.m.
Last night of winter break
    Going back to school at the end of a break is always stressful, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. May and June just came into my room. June pointed to May. “She’s nervous about going back to school tomorrow.” Even though I felt bad for May and it was kind of funny to