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never told us,” I said.
    â€œI don’t want to tell you because … because you’ll be upset,” she said. Piper’s lips thinned to a straight line. She looked at me and then she looked off to the side, as if she didn’t want to meet my eyes.
    â€œI don’t have to approve your dates, Piper. Why would I be upset?” I said.
    â€œBecause it’s … I think you…” Piper stammered.
    â€œThe only person I would be upset about is Forrest,” I said with a laugh, truly believing that that was impossible.
    â€œI’m sorry, Jemma,” Piper said.
    That’s when everything—the Earth, the moon, the oceans of my life—changed completely. Up was down and down was up. One of my best friends was going to the dance with the love of my life.
    I left the lunch table in a blur. I abandoned my tray and my half-eaten food. I tried not to cry until I was in the bathroom, but I didn’t make it.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Jemma? Jemma, are you okay?” various passersby asked worriedly, as I maneuvered quickly through the hall, tears streaming.
    I stayed there until Kate came.
    â€œJem, are you in here?” she called.
    â€œYes,” I said weakly.
    â€œI’m mad at Piper, too,” she said.
    â€œDid she … did she give a reason? Why him?”
    â€œShe says she feels terrible, but they started spending time together because her mom is selling their house. I guess he … I shouldn’t tell you this. Forget it.”
    â€œNo, tell me.”
    She paused and looked at me with such sweet concern that I almost started crying again.
    â€œFirst, just let me say that maybe this is a blessing in disguise. End the endless crush, maybe? You could ask someone else to the dance and actually have a good time. You know Jake likes you. You guys could go with Brett and me. We could go as a double date.”
    I could only sigh. Going with Jake would be fine, like getting one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Forrest was a triple chocolate sundae with rainbow sprinkles.
    â€œTell me what you were going to say about Piper and … Forrest,” I said. It hurt to say their names together like that, to link them in a sentence as a couple.
    â€œI’ll tell you because I want you to just let it go, okay?” Kate said. “Piper said she knew she liked him when he played a song for her on his guitar.”

Nine
    Dear PLS,
    I hope you can help me. You see, one of my oldest and best friends has just stolen the guy I’ve been in love with FOREVER. Please give me some ideas on how I can keep from hating her for the rest of my life.
    Thanks,
    Buzzy
    In my anger—and it was extreme—I decided to send Piper a very clear message. It was her job to go through all the questions the PLS received, so, just like any other girl, I sent my question in to be answered. I would have loved to have seen her face when she read that one. At the next day’s PLS meeting, I folded my arms across my chest and asked which questions we’d be answering.
    â€œA girl who’s worried her parents might be getting a divorce. A boy who’s asking what to do when he gets really angry at his parents,” Piper said.
    â€œNothing else?”
    â€œJemma, come on,” Piper said. “Let’s not fight.”
    â€œI’m not fighting,” I said. “It’s just that we’re supposed to serve girls in need. I’m now a girl in need and I’d like someone to answer my question.”
    I stared at Piper intently, detesting every inch of her—her freshly highlighted hair, permanently glossed lips, perfect teeth, and super-cute outfit. She wasn’t just pretty, she looked like a woman, with a woman’s body and curves. I was not Flatty McFlat Chest anymore, but I was no Piper Pinsky.
    â€œLet’s just work, okay?” Piper said, looking more upset than I imagined she’d be. Her pity-me look made me