Free Just Friends by Dyan Sheldon Page A

only thoughts she had about the new girl were that she should do all her hair pink (it makes her look way more interesting); and that it’s too bad she’s already tight with Tilda Kopel, because, like being born a princess, it ruins your chances for a normal life. Which isn’t what Ramona’s thinking now.
Why were Josh and Jena in Hava Java together yesterday? Why did Jena want his phone number? What’s going on?
Ramona tells herself that nothing’s going on. They’re in the same language arts class. They happened to be in town at the same time yesterday. They ran into each other. They decided to go for a drink. For God’s sake, what’s the big deal? This is the twenty-first century. A girl and boy can go to a café together without a chaperone. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s normal. Everybody does stuff like that all the time. She starts fastening bracelets on a papier-mâché arm, lining them up one on top of the other like a rainbow.
    But Josh doesn’t do stuff like that. Maybe with girls from the chess club, but not with someone in Tilda Kopel’s set. Especially someone who, if you ask Ramona, is getting to resemble Tilda more and more with every passing day. She holds up two bracelets, deciding which to put on next – the all-white strings with quartz and silver beads or the blues and greens with turquoise and gold? And anyway what does she care? If Josh wants to hang out with someone who probably can’t tell a guitar from a mandolin, that’s his business. Not Ramona’s. She chooses the bracelet of blues and greens and fastens it around the arm. Besides, he could never be
interested
interested in a Kopel clone.
Seriously?
Just the thought makes her laugh. She is so not his type. And there’s sure as hell no way Jenevieve Capistrano would be interested in him. Tilda doesn’t speak to Josh. She’s made fun of and laughed at him quite a few times over the years, but she’s never exchanged words. And even if Jena did like him, she couldn’t have the social life she has with Josh around. If they went to games he’d fall asleep. And what about parties and dances? Josh’s idea of dressed up is clean jeans and his father’s red suspenders; he doesn’t even own a suit. She’s smiling to herself at the idea of Josh at the prom when the bamboo wind chimes knock together gently as the door opens. Ramona looks over, still smiling.
    Sal smiles back. He saw her through the window and thought he’d stop by and say hi. “Hi,” says Sal. And then, having temporarily run out of words, waves.
    Just dropping by like this isn’t something Sal has ever done before, not unless he was with Josh, but things have changed, of course – now that Ramona and Sal are both involved in the musical they have another connection. Ramona waves back. “Hi.” She likes Sal and is glad to see him; though the truth is that she’d be glad to see a moose walk through the door right now – anything to distract her from thinking about Jenevieve and Josh.
    Sal comes up beside her, jamming his hands in his pockets. He asks where her mother is. He admires the jewellery. He admires the display. He talks about the changes Mr Boxhill’s making in the play. All the while he shifts from foot to foot; as if he’s balancing on a raft. And then he says, sounding surprised at himself, “Hey, I just had an idea. If you’re not busy tonight I have a couple of sixties movies I got for research. You could come over and see them with me. They might give you some ideas. You know, for costumes.”
    “That’s a great idea. I’d love to.” Before those words make him too happy, she adds, “But I can’t. Zara’s coming over tonight.”
    “Zara.” He thinks this over for a second, then smiles. “Zara. Right. I guess I should’ve known.”
    “Maybe another time,” says Ramona.
    “Yeah, okay. That’d be chill. Another time.” He rocks on his heels and doesn’t ask her when.
    Now arranging earrings on a velvet-covered board, Ramona