Friends ForNever by Katy Grant

pillow and hugged it. There was something so deliciously fun about gossiping. I felt so connected to Sarah and Nic at this moment. “Why are you even friends with her, Sarah? I’ve never been able to figure that out. You two are so different.”
    Sarah’s forehead wrinkled while she thought about that. “I don’t know. Because last summer our beds were right next to each other. And making fun of her is what gives my life meaning. But . . .” She shook her head. “Things are different this summer. I used to think she was funny. Now I just think she’s annoying.”
    I supposed that made sense, that they got to be friends because Whitney was close by—literally. It was like me being friends with Emma Barrett in fifth grade because her desk was in front of mine. But last year we were in different classes, and we barely spoke to each other. It wasn’t the same type of friendship that Nic and I had, where we both had so much in common.
    â€œSeriously—Nic and I are here for you. I’m sure the Crockett boys will be falling all over Whitney, so while she’s busy being prom queen, you can chill with us tonight,” I said.
    â€œShe is my best friend, but there are times when I want to . . .” Sarah picked up her pillow and crept toward Nicole, then sprung on her, trying to press the pillow over her face. Nic screamed, and I bopped Sarah with my pillow. We were all cracking up when Natasha and Ashlin walked in.
    â€œOh, hi! We’re just gossiping,” said Sarah. They smiled at us before going over to Side B as fast as they could. All the newbies seemed to think we were weird, for some strange reason.
    Soon everyone showed up, and the cabin was a madhouse while we all got ready. I was looking forward to seeing Blake tonight. I’d written him two letters this week, and he’d sent me one postcard.
    Darcy,
    My counsillor is making us write letters to our family. C U at the dance. Bye.
    He hadn’t even signed his name. I couldn’t wait to hear how his first week of camp had gone so I could give Mom, Paul, and Daddy a full report.
    Whitney came back from the showers and went straight to Side B to get dressed. Even though we’d made fun of her, I was still curious about what she wanted us to do to solve Cabin 3’s “problems,” so when the bell rang for dinner, we all walked to the dining hall together.
    â€œWhitney, how about telling us your plan now?” said Nicole, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
    Whitney looked at us. “I think the four of us should set an example. We should make a point of never talking about other people behind their backs.” She looked directly at me in a way that made my blood turn to ice water. “I know I brought up the problems we’re having, but I only want to make our cabin the best it can be. Maybe I don’t always put things the right way, but I always try to be nice to everyone.”
    Sarah looked at me with this totally horrified expression.
    Whitney kept going. “The other part of the plan is that we shouldn’t make fun of people just because they happen to be talented. I would never laugh at Natasha if she told me she’d scored a bull’s-eye in riflery. And I wouldn’t say mean things about Patty if she mentioned that she was going on a river trip with the canoers.” Whitney’s voice cracked when she made that last comment, and I looked away. If she was going to break down, I didn’t want to see it.
    Sarah, Nic, and I didn’t say a word. I could not believe what was happening. I felt like a cockroach. Why didn’t Whitney just step on me and put me out of my misery?
    â€œThe other part of the plan is that we should be honest with each other. Sarah, if you were doing something that really bothered me, I would find a way to talk to you about it. But I would do everything I could not to hurt your feelings.”
    I looked up and saw that