Free Too Much Drama by Laurie Friedman Page A

see June in the role of junior spokesperson, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with my little sister’s problems. I had my own issues to deal with.
    June didn’t wait for me to ask for an explanation. “May is trying out for the softball team and so is Krystal. We might have to TP her house again.”
    I bit my lip to keep from smiling. “You can’t go around throwing toilet paper in people’s yards every time they’re mean to you,” I said.
    â€œSee?” May said looking at June. Clearly they’d been discussing this.
    â€œSo what’s the issue?” I asked May.
    She brushed a stray hair off her face. “I guess I’m just scared about tryouts.”
    â€œYou’re such a good athlete. You’ll make whatever team you try out for,” I said, partly to make her feel better, but mostly so she and June would leave.
    â€œI hope so,” said May. She shrugged. “A lot of girls are trying out. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
    â€œI know the feeling,” I told her. Even though the last few days with Leo were a welcome distraction, there was so much drama over what happened New Year’s Eve. I have this gnawing feeling there’s more to come. May said it perfectly.
    I don’t know what’s going to happen.

Sometimes doing something is worse than doing nothing.
    â€”Meredith Grey
    Monday, January 5, 7:29 a.m.
Grumpy
    Last night after May left my room, she came back. She wanted to know if she could sleep with me. I felt bad so I let her, but she kept tossing and turning and sticking her knees and elbows into me. She finally fell asleep, but I couldn’t. My brain was racing.
    I hadn’t expected Brynn to show up at the diner and confront anyone. She definitely hasn’t been acting like the Brynn I used to know and love. Plus, now Emily and Vanessa have been drawn into what’s going on, so I don’t know what to expect at dance. They’re clearly Team Brynn.
    I was also thinking about what’s going to happen with Sophie and Billy. They kissed. As Leo said, that’s between them. In theory, it doesn’t affect me. But the reality is they’re my best friends. If they start going out, will they spend all their time together? Without me?
    And there’s Leo. We’re definitely more than friends, but we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. It’s not that I necessarily want to go out with him. I like the way things are now, but I have no idea what it will be like when I’m here and he’s off at school. I just Googled long distance relationships where you’re more than friends but not going out. It’s not even a category.
    Argh.
    After all this reflection and Googling, I’m not any wiser. But I am late for school.
    6:44 p.m.
Mad
    I had a bad feeling Brynn was going to lash out, but I seriously underestimated what she would do. Ms. Baumann had given us winter break off, so today was our first day back at practice since the confrontation at the New Year’s Day brunch.
    At break, Emily came up to me and said Brynn told her I was happy when Emily sprained her ankle last semester and I got to dance her solo in the show. “Is that true?” she asked.
    â€œThat’s crazy,” I said.
    But Emily didn’t seem convinced. “It kind of makes sense that you’d be happy you got to take my place.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’d think I’d be happy you hurt yourself,” I told her.
    Emily eyed me accusatorily. “Brynn said that would be your reaction.”
    â€œOf course, that’s my reaction. What other reaction is there?” But Emily didn’t answer. I don’t know if I made my point or not.
    It’s so dumb. Part of me doesn’t care.
    Wednesday, January 7,10:02 p.m.
Furious
    I could have gotten over what Brynn told Emily. It was absurd. Plus, I have a hard time thinking that Emily really believes it’s