My mom has been at work a lot more—like a lot more. Even working on weekends which is strange because she's never done that before. I get we need the money, but isn't there some law against overworking an employee? My dad isn't happy about the extra hours either. They hardly spend time with each other as is. Now it's like living at a train station with two people coming and going at all hours. Being an adult sounds complicated. What do you say we stay teens forever? -Freddy aka Alex

Whoever said patience was a virtue had obviously never walked in Alexx's shoes because as far as she could tell, patience was agony. She'd promised to give her best friend space, but when Alex didn't talk to her or pick up their notebook on Monday, she knew she was in trouble.

It was a shame too because she'd made a super cute post. She'd even decorated the page in stickers and little hearts asking for forgiveness. Even her meme texts were being ignored, which was a knife to the gut. How could anyone stay mad at an adorable panda blowing kissy faces?

Tuesday went pretty much the same way and today wasn't much better; however, she did get a small wave. Well, kind of. Technically Alex waved at the group, but she swore it was directed at her. Of course, when she smiled and waved back, Alex nodded like they were strangers on the street and walked away.

Okay, so things weren't looking great. That was fine. It was all FINE.

Ugh. Alexx slumped over the back of the couch in defeat. It wasn't fine. She wasn't used to being ignored. Sure, they had tiffs as everyone does but never anything like this. She wanted her best friend back. Was that too much to ask?

A backpack dropped onto the cushion by her head. "Watch it," she yelled through her hair which was hanging over her face. Probably Seth and his little minions home from soccer practice.

"What's wrong with you?" the bane of her existence asked.

Her hair was moved to the side as freaking Arlo bent at the waist, crooked his neck to the side, and looked at her with those chestnut brown eyes that should be illegal. They stared straight to the heart of someone and exposed their soul. She hated it. Every time she was around him, all her insecurities bubbled to the surface. She felt like a little girl again, all nerves and gangly limbs that made her as awkward as a new colt trying to walk.

Arlo knew what he did to her too. It was written all over his smug face. And worse, he reveled in his power. Continually pointing out her flaws like it was something to be proud of.

She remembered the first time they met. It was right after her mom had left Seth on the doorsteps. The whole household had been in a cloud of gloom. She'd been in her room, figuring out how to braid her hair and put on makeup, when she heard Arlo and Hugo coming down the stairs. Arlo laughed at something, and the sound was so contagious, so darn happy, she'd stuck her head out of her room to see who could make such a sound.

She'd been struck by his looks—who wouldn't be with his chiseled jaw and a wicked grin that made him appear like a dashing pirate with a devil-may-care attitude—but it was his laughter that had captured her young heart. She must have made a sound because suddenly he turned and stared right at her. Surprised, she squeaked, dropped her brush, and hid behind the door.

Cheeks flushed, she listened as he asked Hugo, "Who's the shrimp?" Which she wasn't at all. Even then she towered over her classmates but compared to Arlo, who was six-five, she supposed she was.

"My little sister. I told you about her. Alexx."

"You didn't tell me she was a wanna-be Barbie in disguise."

She whipped around to the mirror and groaned. She looked like a clown. She had bits and pieces of hair sticking up everywhere, pink lipstick smeared over the edges of her mouth, and a stripe of peachy blush painted on her cheeks.

"She can be whoever she wants to be," Hugo said lightly. It was his you-better-be-nice-or-else tone. "Things have been rough."

Arlo paused a beat. "I didn't think. Sorry, man. I'll be nice to the kid. Don't worry."

And Arlo had been, which pissed her off to no end. He treated her like a wounded creature that needed careful tending. Worse, pity shined in his eyes. Every time he looked at her, she could feel a flashing sign over her head saying Poor little Alexx. Doesn't even know how to put on makeup because her mom doesn't love her enough to teach her.

Alexx acted like a total brat that night, and any other time he came over. Hugo begged her stop, but she refused. Arlo deserved what he got. No one pitied Alexx Lorde. NO ONE. And it's not like he didn't dish it back. Arlo was the king of patronizing.

"Hello?" Arlo asked in a sing-song voice. "Anyone in there or did your hairspray suck out your brain cells?"

She scoffed. "That doesn't even make sense. When did you get here?" She hadn't heard him come in with Hugo.

"Just now." He lifted a dark brow. "So you just hanging here upside down because you felt like it, or...?"

"I've got troubles," she sighed. "Right here in River City."

"Hate to break it to you, but we're in Castillo Canyon."

She rolled her eyes. "It's from Music Man." He still looked confused, so she added with an implied duh, "The musical."

"Ah. One of your little play things."

His condescension was nails against a chalkboard. "It's not little. Last year we sold out on opening night."

Arlo bobbed his head as he pretended to understand. He was a horrible actor. It was a good thing he didn't audition for West Side Story, although he had the look of the Sharks down pat. Thick black hair and deep tawny skin which he inherited from his Latin heritage.

Arlo sat on the couch next to Alexx, who was still draped over it like a coat."But it can't be anything too bad. Didn't you get the part of Maria?"

"I did." She'd gotten the email this afternoon right after school ended. Everyone had texted her congratulations. Everyone but Alex and that chaffed more than she thought it would.

"So why the long face, princess?

She made a face. "Stop calling me that."

"Hey, if the attitude fits."

She gritted her teeth. He always did this. He made her feel like a little brat throwing a tantrum. "Go. Away." She wanted to sulk in silence. He did the opposite of course because that was Arlo. Say one thing and guaranteed he'd do the opposite.

Extending his legs, he sighed and crossed his feet at the ankles. "I'm waiting for Hugo to change so we can head to the basketball courts."

"Then go wait for him in his room instead of bothering me."

"But you're such a ball of sunshine to be around," he protested.

She snorted. "You and I both know that's not true." If it were, Alex would have talked to her by now.

Arlo was silent for a moment, and it unnerved her. Arlo was never silent. He even outtalked her.

"What is it?" she snapped. "I can hear the gears in your brain turning. Just spit it out."

She felt the weight of his gaze as he asked, "Is this about your best friend? The one you screwed over and then begged to stay so you would look good on stage?"

Her head snapped up. Angry, she hurled, "Oh fudge you." He didn't have all the facts, so he had no right to judge.

Amusement twinkled in his eyes. "Still can't swear?"

"It's not a matter of can't. It's a matter of won't." Alexx remembered from the few weeks her mom hung around, she swore like a sailor. Her dad told her to stop, but her mom ignored him like she always. Alexx keenly remembered the defeated look in his eyes, and from that day on, she promised never to do anything that would put such an awful look on his face.

"Your friend has every right to be pissed, but she'll come around," Arlo said.

"How do you know?"

"Because that's the type of person she is. She's a follower."

Alexx stood up, blood rushing from her face from being upside down for so long. Glaring, she said, "She is not!"

"Please," Arlo retorted. "She's like a little puppy that does whatever you do."

"You don't even know her. Alex is the best." Her best friend was always willing to listen, and she never judged, which couldn't be said for Sloane and Bri. Sometimes they made faces at each other when Alexx got on a roll about something.

"Maybe she is but doesn't mean she's not a follower. Nothing wrong with that." He shrugged. "We all have our roles. Besides, every princess needs a court of subjects. Alex is yours."

"Oh, shut up," she said without any real heat. Is this why Alex was pulling away? She folded her arms on the back of the couch and rested her chin on them. If so, then she really screwed up the whole Wendy/Libby situation.

Arlo ran his thumb over her forehead, making her skin tingle. "Don't frown too hard, princess. You might get wrinkles."

She swatted his hand away. "Where's Hugo? Go bug him."

Arlo glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. "He is taking forever."

"Do you know what's up with him?" she asked. "He's been singing in the shower, and that only happens when his fantasy football team wins which is about as likely as seeing a shooting star—"

Arlo laughed. "I know. I've never met anyone so bad at fantasy football."

"—or when he aced a test, but it's too early in the year for that. So what happened?"

"You're gonna have to ask him."

"Come on," she wheedled. "I'm his sister. You can tell me."

"Sorry, but you're not in the circle of trust." He even drew an imaginary circle to emphasize the point.

Irritated, she poked a finger in the middle of said circle. "Well, how can I get in this circle of trust?"

Arlo motioned her closer with his finger. When she scooted over, he flicked her ear as hard as he could and whispered, "Grow some balls."

She stumbled back and covered her ear. "You're an idiot."

He grinned. "I'll take that title with pride."

Hugo entered the room with a basketball and phone in each hand. "You ready?"

"Ready." Arlo hopped off the couch. "Later, princess."

"I hope you lose." Alex hated that her heart skipped a beat as he let out a low laugh.

When they left, she ate a quick snack and then went to her singing lessons. Her vocal coach, Mrs. Martinez, congratulated her on getting the part of Maria and then launched into an aggressive six-week plan to get her voice in peak condition.

Honestly, it was exhausting, but she loved it. Singing gave her such a high as did being on the stage. Nothing compared to having the lights shining down on her as she commanded the stage, making the audience her puppet.

When Alexx got home, the house was empty. Hugo was still with Arlo, Seth was having dinner at a friend's house, and her dad was busy at the office. She changed into her pajamas and heated some leftovers, then sprawled onto the couch to watch some TV.

She was about halfway through an episode of Riverdale when her phone beeped.

Freddy: Can I come over?

Her empty plate wobbled and fell off her lap as she bolted upright. She caught it right before it hit the rug and set it on the coffee table.

Georgie: 100% YES. Come anytime. Day or night. I'll be here. Waiting. Patiently. Or you know, not so patiently because you know me. I'll even hold in my need to pee so I don't miss you.

She did a little jig as she added at least ten happy face emojis and a billion hearts with arrows.

Freddy: lol Go if you need to go. Don't want to be the cause of you peeing your pants.

Georgie: That was one time. ONE TIME. And under extreme circumstances.

Freddy: Keep telling yourself that. Be there in 10.

Alexx rushed around the house, cleaning up the dirty dishes and straightening the massive pile of shoes by the front door. Why her brothers' couldn't grasp the concept of leaving them in an orderly pile was beyond her, but whatever.

Alexx set their notebook on the coffee table and plumped up the pillows on the couch when the doorbell rang. Her hands turned clammy as her anxiety spiked. What if this wasn't a reconciliation but a split? She tugged on her earlobe.

There was a difference between friends and friends. Friends were people you hung out and did fun stuff with, but friends were people you poured your heart out to. They were your ride or die. And Alex was her ride or die. She couldn't lose her. She just couldn't.

Smoothing her hair down, she opened the door with a nervous smile. "Hi."

"Hey," Alex said. Her best friends hands were twisted together as she nervously smiled back.

She opened the door and let her in. They got comfy on the couch, both radiating awkwardness.

"Um, so..." Alex started. She looked down at her hands which were still twisting and untwisting.

Alexx stepped in, not able to let her best friend struggle any longer. "Can I start by saying again how sorry I am. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know." Alex gave her a sad smile. "But the truth is you did."

Worry knotted her stomach. "I'm so so so sorry. How can I fix this? Do you need me to beg? Buy you bolts of fabric? You can have my Hamilton playbill." She squeezed out that last one through a clenched jaw.

Alex peaked up through her lashes and gave a shy smile. "Your apology was a great start."

Some of Alexx's anxiety seeped out of her body. She reached for the notebook and handed it over. "Well, if you want apologies, here's a ton. All color-coded with stickers to match."

Her best friend laughed. "Of course. You just can't help yourself, can you?"

"You know me. Color coding and lists are my language of love."

Alex impulsively leaned over and hugged her. "I missed you."

Her nose prickled as relief slammed into her. "I missed you too. I am sorry. Truly."

Alex pulled back and flipped the notebook. "I can tell." She set the notebook down and turned to face her fully. "Can I be completely honest?"

Her pulse raced at the change of tone. Honesty didn't always equal good and cuddly things. Alex reached up to tug on her ear but stopped and forced her hands in her lap. "Of course."

"It wasn't that you kept Libby a secret, although yeah, that stung. It was the reason behind what you did that hurt me the most." Alex pressed her lips together as she gathered her thoughts. Inhaling deeply, she went on, "I'm not saying this to be mean or hurt your feelings. You know, I love you."

A ball of dread formed in the pit of her stomach. "I love you too."

Alex reached over and squeezed her hand. "In the big scheme of things, this incident is minor. I mean, it's not like it's the end of the world just because I didn't get to be an assistant in a local play. But the fact that you didn't care or take into account my feelings is something that bugs me."

"I understand," she said woodenly. But Alex was the one who didn't understand. It wasn't about the sewing—okay, yes, a tiny part of it was—but mostly, she didn't want to lose her best friend. She did what she did, for them—for their friendship.

Alex swallowed hard. Her eyes dropped to their clasped hands and then back to her face. "I'm not doing this to punish you, but I'm dropping out of the play."

Alexx's head jerked back. "You're what? No. You can't do that."

She shook her head, the ends of her hair brushing against her shoulders. "I don't have a place there, and frankly, the only reason I stayed so long was because of you."

"We can get you a place. I'll text Randy." She scrambled for her phone. "We'll get Wendy to fire Libby and then hire you."

Alex gently covered her hand, which was busy typing. "Stop, Georgie. It's not gonna happen. I've already accepted another position."

Her posture relaxed as she silently thanked whatever guardian angel was watching over her. "Why didn't you say so?" But something in Alex's face made her tense up again. "What? What position did you take?"

Agitation screamed out of every pore as Alex hesitated a beat before saying, "I didn't tell you this before, but Keya approached me and offered me a position as the head costume designer for the high school drama club."

The floor fell out from under her. "No." She collapsed onto the pillows she'd carefully fluffed. "No. That can't be. You wouldn't do that to me."

Alex's brown eyes were solemn. "I already texted her. It's a done deal."

"But it's Keya." She'd be working with Alexx's arch-nemesis. "She's Draco Malfoy, and every Bond villain rolled into one."

Alex shot her an annoyed look. "Now, you're exaggerating."

"But...but...if you join we won't get to hang out that often. When will see each other?" She was banking on the Playhouse to spend time with her best friend, and now she wasn't even getting that.

How long before Alex made new friends and ditched her altogether? Sure, it would start small with meetings and get-togethers that would morph into hanging out and then inside jokes, and before she knows it, Alex would have a new group to hang out with. New people to call friends. And where would that leave her?

Sloane and Bri were her friends, but they were two peas in a pod—a unit. Every group of friends had its own sub-groups, and Sloane and Bri was one, while she and Alex were the other. Or used to be. Now she was the lone one out. No pea to share her pod with.

Abandoned for Keya.

Yet again.

Did that girl have magical superpowers or something? She drew Alexx's best friends in like moths to the flame. First, Cleo, her ex-best friend in elementary school, and now Alex. It was a curse.

Alex called her name. "Are you listening?"

She crossed her arms and stared mutinously. "No. I'm coming up with a list of ways to hex Keya."

Amusement flashed in Alex's eyes. "You can't hex anyone."

"Maybe not, but I can hire someone."

Alex laughed like she thought Alexx was kidding, which for the record, she wasn't. "Listen, we'll see each other at school, and we have our notebook." Alex held it up. "This is our lifeline. As long as we have this, we're golden." She looked down at her lap. "Georgie, I need you to be okay with this. I need to stop doing whatever you're doing and find my own passion."

"You do. You have sewing."

"But if I stay at Playhouse I'm not doing what I love."

"Then go out and get an internship or something. Why do you have to join Keya and the competition?"

"It's not a competition," Alex insisted. She sat up straighter, taller, her jaw set in a firm line. "And I love theater—just as much as you—but our passions for it are different. Being with drama club is checking those boxes. Way more than Playhouse ever did."

Alexx studied her best friend. The confidence she wore was a mask hiding her bundle of nerves and Alexx knew she could tear through it and convince her to re-join Playhouse, but at what cost? She couldn't—wouldn't—betray their friendship that way. She let out a hefty sigh. "I'm going to have to be okay with this, aren't I?"

"You don't have to be, but it certainly will make things easier."

Alexx sucked in a breath and let it out. "Fine. Join Keya and her little gang but remember who's friend you are."

She laughed. "No chance of that with you always reminding me. Um, there's one other thing I want to talk to you about."

The front door opened and Hugo walked in, his hair damp from sweat. He chucked his sneakers off, throwing them on Alexx's neat and orderly line, and entered the family room "Anything to eat? I'm—"

He stopped when he saw Alex, his eyes growing wide. Weird. But even weirder was Alex's reaction. Twin flags of red popped up on her cheeks as she sent him a shy smile.

Her gaze darted between the two. Holy smokes.

Her best friend and her brother had the hots for each other.