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“Then you buy it,” I say, nodding enthusiastically. “I’m going to need something shorter. And easier to move in. Also something I can wear with a normal bra.”

“What? Why?”

“I’ll tell you over hot chocolate. But first, get me something short, that’ll work with Converse sneakers,” I say as I step off the pedestal.

“Okay,” she says, eyeing me up and down. “Whatever you say. You don’t mind if I try that on, do you? In my size of course. Not all of us were born with legs up to our necks.”

“Go ahead. And thanks,” I say. “Not for the leg compliment—I have nothing to do with my genetics—but for helping.”

“Confession,” she says, her cheeks pink and rosy. “I texted Ben when you were changing. You were right. He still loves me. Never stopped. We’re going to the formal together.”

“Hashtag-bolivia lives to see another day,” I say with a grin.

“It’s so terrible, isn’t it?” She laughs.

“The worst.”

Olivia helps me find a perfect dress for winter formal: a long-sleeve crushed velvet mini. I charge it to my credit card, which I only use in case of emergencies, but this feels like an emergency. Afterward, I treat her to hot chocolate while telling her about my big plan, and I can’t tell who’s more excited about it—me, or her. She even has a few ideas of her own.

I love a good plan, but sometimes going off-script can result in pleasant surprises and, dare I say, new friendships?

Or at the very least, one less nemesis.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

After our hot chocolates, Olivia drives me home from the mall. It’s surreal being inside the car that has become synonymous with someone I thought I had strong feelings of dislike for.

“Oh no,” she says as she drives onto Ben’s driveway and parks. “I wasn’t thinking and drove to Ben’s before dropping you off. I’ll take you home,” she says, her hand on the gear shift.

“It’s okay,” I say, glancing at Axel’s house. “I can walk from here. It’s not that cold today.”

“You sure?”

I nod and toss her a genuine smile. “Yeah. I appreciate the help with the dress and the ride and bouncing ideas around with me and…the other thing.”

“My pleasure. And see?” she says, grinning. “It pays to have friends in high places. Or at least the social committee.” The wordfriendhangs in the air between us like my uncle’s scent after he returns home from a shift at Shawarma Sitty in July. “I mean, acquaintance. If friends is too strong a word?” Olivia asks with hesitation.

“Actually,” I say, sitting up. “The word ‘friend’ has multiple meanings. There’s the obvious definition: a person you like who you enjoy being with. Or a person who helps or supports you in acause. And then there’s ‘Friend,’ capital F. A member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light and rejects sacraments and opposes war. Also known as a Quaker.”

Olivia scrunches up her perfect brows before basically snorting. “Maybe just the first two?” she says.

“You enjoy spending time with me?” I ask.

“So far,” she replies. “I was kind of threatened by you when I was with Ben. I think it’s because I only saw how different we were and figured if he spent three years with you, then he’d learn quickly I wasn’t the right fit for him.”

“I was kind of hoping that too for a time,” I say, feeling a blush rise.

She laughs again. “I like how honest you are. And yeah, I think we do qualify as friends. At least two of three definitions. I’m Catholic,” she says, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Then it’s settled. We’re friends.” I nod. “I guess I’ll DM you when I hear back from the others?”

“Give me your phone,” she says, and I oblige by placing it in her manicured hand. She adds her number and name under Contacts and then sends a text from my phone to hers. “There. Now we’re in each other’s phones.”

“Is this today’s equivalent to blood brothers…or shall I say sisters?”

“You have an interesting way of seeing things, you know that?” she asks as we get out of her car.

“Yes. It’s why you’re my only friend.” Olivia snorts and I snort back in solidarity as I head down Ben’s driveway.