Free Frosting and Friendship by Lisa Schroeder

baking. Please?”
    â€œDon’t worry,” I tell her. “No more distractions.”
    â€œWhat about the cupcake song?” Abigail asks, half smiling.
    â€œI’m on it,” I tell her. “Soon. I mean, probably after I get this party out of the way.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Zola says, her brown eyes big and round. “I have an idea. How about we play at the party? It’d be good practice for the audition.”
    Abigail’s face lights up. “I love that idea. We can play ‘Happy Birthday’ for the birthday girl and then play our song. See what people think.”
    I shrug. “Okay. Yeah, we can do that. My dad will need to move the instruments upstairs for us, but I can help him. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
    â€œI gotta run,” Abigail says. “Later, alligators.”
    We wave good-bye, and as Zola and I walk outside, into the gray and cloudy March day, I’m feeling better about things than I’ve felt in a long time.
    We head our separate ways and I feel good as I walk home.
    Even when Isabel calls, I don’t panic. After all, Mom and I have a plan. We know what we’re doing with the food, and it’s going to be amazing. I just know it. I can picture the table of sweet treats in my head. I can hear the compliments everyone gives me about the cake pops.
    â€œHello?” I say with a smile when I answer my phone.
    â€œLily, it’s Isabel. I have good news! Guess what I just did!”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI got a band to agree to play at Sophie’s birthday party. The best part is, they’ll do it for free. Can you believe that?”
    I stand inside the refrigerator door, letting the cold air wash over me. I feel faint. Sick. I don’t want to ask the question, but I have to. Even though I’m pretty sure I know the answer.
    â€œWhat’s the name of the band?” I ask.
    â€œThe New Pirates. Have you heard of them? There’s this kid Bryan in the band, and my dad and his dad are good friends. Bryan goes to your school. Maybe you know him? Anyway, we ran into them yesterday at the grocery store, and when his dad told us Bryan was in a band, I had the brilliant idea to ask if they might like to play at the party. He said he had to check with his bandmates. I just got off the phone with him, and they said they’d do it! They want to practice for some big audition coming up.”
    I grab one of the leftover bowls of instant butterscotch pudding Mom made last night for dessert and then I shut the refrigerator door. After I get a spoon, I sink into a chair at the kitchen table.
    I sigh. “Isabel, I—”
    â€œOh no,” she interrupts. “I should have checked with you first. I’ll be so sad if they can’t play. I know Sophie will love having live music. I thought about asking you and your band to play, but you’re hosting the party and that’s enough for you to worry about. Besides, who won’t love a band called the New Pirates, right? I hope it’s okay. Can you check with your parents and get back to me? Please?”
    My heart feels like it’s a rope in a tug-of-war game. Isabel and Sophie are on one end while Abigail and Zola are pulling on the other.
    Part of me wants to tell her no. The New Pirates can’t play because my band should perform if we’re going to have a band. The other part of me wants to tell her yes, of course the New Pirates can play, because she loves the idea, which means Sophie will love the idea, and I really want Sophie to be happy.
    I don’t know what to do. All I know is my hearthurts from all that pulling. I can tell she is in love with this idea. Offering up my band as a replacement won’t be the same. After all, her dad and Bryan’s dad are friends. And Bryan’s cute. I know I should say something—stand up for the Dots. But just the thought exhausts me. “Sure. I’ll ask them tonight