Free Love or Something Like It by Laurie Friedman

doesn’t think that.
    10:28 p.m.
Can’t believe what I just did!
    I just texted Matt to see if he wants to come over, and he said yes!
    I would never say, “ Do you want to come to my front porch?” He always just shows up, but I did it because I wanted to make sure he didn’t think I didn’t want to go to the beach on Monday.
    He probably thinks I texted him because I want to make out. It’s not that I don’t want to make out, but I really want to tell him why I didn’t go to the beach.
    11:11 p.m.
    Matt just left. We talked and we made out. We started kissing as soon as he got to my porch, but after a while, I pulled away and asked if he was mad I didn’t go to the beach.
    â€œNah,” he said. But he seemed kind of mad. “Are you mad I’m going to camp?”
    â€œNah,” he said, then he pulled me back into him and we started kissing again.
    I wasn’t sure if “nah” meant he wasn’t mad or if he just wanted to kiss and not talk. But when he left he said, “See you soon,” which hopefully means he meant what he said when he said, “nah.”
    Monday, June 2, 4:30 p.m.
My talk with Sophie
    I just spent the last forty-three minutes on the phone. We talked about a lot of things, but mainly we talked about Matt and why I didn’t see him all weekend. I don’t want to be the kind of girlfriend who dissects every little thing her boyfriend says, but the last time I saw him was last Wednesday night when I asked him to come to my front porch. When he left and said, “See you soon,” it made me think I would, but I haven’t.
    I texted with him on Thursday and Friday, but I was the one who texted first. He didn’t text or call all day Saturday, so Sunday, I texted him.
    Me: What’s up?
    Matt: Nothin.
    Me: Where’ve you been?
    Matt: Around.
    Me: Seems like I’m always the one who texts first.
    (No response for 12 minutes.)
    Me: ??
    Matt (after 4 more minutes): Why does it matter who texts first?
    Matt: ??
    Me: (Not sure how to answer.)
    Matt: I don’t really like texting.
    I wasn’t sure if Matt meant in general or with me. When I talked to Sophie, I asked her if she thought he was saying he doesn’t like texting with me.
    â€œProbably not,” she said. Then she added that guys are weird sometimes and that we could talk about that (and lots of other things) when she gets to Faraway on Friday.
    Friday can’t get here fast enough!
    Friday, June 6, 10:45 p.m.
Sophie arrived!
    I went with my dad to the airport in Mobile to pick up Sophie. “I can’t believe you’re here!” I screamed when I saw her.
    â€œI know! Me too!” Sophie was just as excited as I was, which honestly made me feel good because I truly don’t think coming to Faraway is all that exciting. But I’m glad she does.
    My whole family had dinner at Gaga and Willy’s, and Sophie and I planned everything we’re going to do for the next week before I leave for camp. We’re going to have so much fun!
    It’s what I was thinking about as I was going to sleep tonight and heard the knock on my window. I hopped out of bed. This was the third night in a row (not that I’m counting) that Matt had come over. He’s like a magician. Sometimes he’s nowhere to be found, and then he mysteriously appears.
    Whatever. I was excited to tell him about Sophie. “I can’t wait for you to meet her!” I said. “It’s so cool that she’s here.”
    â€œYeah,” Matt said, but I could tell by the look on his face that he was kind of indifferent. He might not care that Sophie’s in Faraway, but I’m glad she’s here.
    Monday, June 9, 8:45 p.m.
    Sophie and I had such a fun weekend! We spent the weekend at Gaga’s curled up in our PJs, watching romantic comedies, looking at old photo albums and baking cookies.
    â€œDid you bring any real clothes?”