Free Famous by Jessica Burkhart

best friends.”
    â€œI thought she was. Actually, I thought two people were. Her boyfriend? Taylor .”
    Khloe covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes were round like an owl’s, and she stared at me. “No. Way. No. Way. Why? Why would she do that to you?”
    I shrugged. “She said she, Taylor, and Ana started hanging as a group, Ana had to miss a group date, and she and Taylor went together. Then magic. Less Ana, more the two of them.”
    â€œTaylor never hinted anything to you about this, right?” Khloe asked. “I mean, he wants you back!”
    I laughed darkly. “Yep. He never said a word. Not one. He and Brielle made a ‘pact’ not to tell me, to spare my feelings. So lame. I’ll tell you this long story later, but Brielle even lied to my face that day when she got in a screaming match with Taylor.”
    â€œOh God.” Khloe rubbed her forehead with her hand. “Since you just came from talking to Brielle, you obviously haven’t talked to Taylor. What are you going to do about him?”
    I picked up the mound of crumpled tissues around me. Getting up, I squeezed them hard in my fists before tossing them in our trash can.
    â€œI’m going to wash my face and go find him. Right now. He’s been walking around campus with this secret, and he’s done. I’m sure Brielle already texted him, but I want to get to him before he has a chance to concoct some kind of apology in his head.”
    Khloe watched me as I turned on the hot water and smeared Neutrogena over my face.
    â€œYou sure you’re okay, really okay, to talk to him?” she asked. “What you went through with Brielle was pretty traumatic, Laur. Do you want me to go with you or something?”
    I rinsed my face and patted it with a hand towel. “You really are the best, Khlo. Thank you, but this is something I have to do on my own.”
    My phone beeped, and Khloe held it toward me.
    â€œCan you check it?” I asked. “I don’t want to see a message from Brielle right now.”
    Khloe nodded, opening my BBM. “It’s from Drew,” she said. “He said, ‘I’m ready to go to the media center now. Do you have an ETA? Can’t wait to see you!’ ”
    â€œOh, shoot,” I said. I took the phone from Khloe and sat back down next to her. “Drew asked me if I wanted to meet in the media center. He had to meet his swim coach, and I was planning on having what I thought would be a silly conversation with Brielle. Drew and I were going to do homework, then watch a movie.”
    â€œMaybe you should go meet him,” Khloe said. “I could do a little light makeup, and your outfit is great.”
    I considered her suggestion. “I can’t,” I finally said. “I have to get this thing over with Taylor. If I see Drew, I’ll be in a bad mood about it, and I don’t want to drag Taylor baggage into our relationship.”
    â€œThat makes sense,” Khloe said.
    I typed a message to Taylor first.
    Lauren:
    You free? Can we meet in the courtyard ASAP?
    My urgency got his attention. Plus, we hadn’t spoken in a while.
    Taylor:
    Yeah, just finished homework. I can b there in 5. Cool?
    Lauren:
    C u there.
    Then I exited out of his name and went to Drew’s.
    Lauren:
    Drew, I am SO sorry. I had 2 sit down & talk 2 Brielle. Things didn’t go well, to put it lightly. I’m in an awful mood & now have 2 take care of something else.
    I sent the message, knowing he was waiting for me.
    Drew:
    I’m sorry, Laur. Can I do anything?
    Lauren:
    You’re sweet. I wish. Unfor, I have 2 do this myself.
    Drew:
    Totally understand. We’ll take a rain check, OK?
    Lauren:
    You’re the best. I promise, I’ll explain everything 2 u when it’s over. Things r just a mess right now.
    Drew:
    I’m giving u a giant hug from my dorm room. I’ll b thinking abt u, Laur. Call, come over,