Mixed Messages by Tina Wells Page B

senior.”
    â€œA bunch of people invited me to be their buds,” Adam explained.
    â€œSeventh graders?” Zee asked.
    â€œUh . . . no. Seniors,” Adam responded. “I don’t hang out with seventh graders.”
    â€œYou’re here with us,” Ally pointed out.
    â€œExactly. That’s already way too much.”
    â€œWhatever,” Zee said. “How did seniors hear about Bluetopia, anyway?”
    Adam shrugged. “I don’t know. Word gets around.” He chugged his milk and wiped the white mustache from his lip. “I’ll give you credit, though. The Beans’ page looks awesome. I think you’re going to get a bunch of people to come to Brookdale Day to see you.”
    â€œThat would be so amazing!” Ally squealed. “What if a bunch of talent agents come from L.A. to check us out?”
    â€œDon’t get carried away. I just meant that you’ll probably get more than the usual seventh graders and their families,” Adam told the girls as he walked out of the kitchen. “Bye-o-nara.”
    â€œOh my gosh!” Ally said as Adam disappeared from view. “I think it’s my fault there are so many people on Bluetopia.”
    â€œDon’t freak out,” Zee said. “Like Adam said, Bluetopia’s going to help The Beans have a larger audience at Brookdale Day.”
    Ally perked up. “You’re right,” she said. “It might be the best thing to happen to The Beans.”
    â€œBut just to be safe,” Zee said, “don’t invite anyone else.”
    Â 
    Chloe met Zee and Ally at the lockers before first period. She looked like she was going to explode. “Guess what?”
    â€œWhat?” Ally and Zee said at once.
    â€œA Spanish boy likes me!”
    â€œSomeone in your Spanish class?” Zee asked.
    â€œNo, a boy from Spain,” Chloe explained.
    â€œHow do you know a Spanish boy?” Zee asked.
    â€œHe’s on Bluetopia,” Chloe said.
    â€œWho invited him to join?” Ally wondered out loud.
    Chloe shrugged. “I dunno. But whoever it was, I’m glad they did.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s a good idea to be buds with someone you don’t know, Chloe,” Zee told her. “It might not be safe.”
    â€œI’m not telling him any of my personal information,” Chloe explained. “He doesn’t even know what town I live in.”
    â€œHe didn’t ask?” Zee said.
    â€œI think you should ask him to tell you who his buds are on the site, Chloe,” Ally suggested. “It’s kind of weird for him to come out of nowhere.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Chloe reassured her friends. “I’m not going to do anything stupid. My parents check my Bluetopia page and my email, anyway.”
    Nearby, laughter interrupted the girls. Zee looked up to see Marcus, Conrad, and Landon walking down the hall.
    Ally nudged Zee and whispered, “Here comes Landon.”
    Zee’s stomach only did a tiny somersault. She was surprised that she actually felt close to normal. “Uh . . . yeah,” Zee said.
    â€œDon’t you like him anymore?” Chloe asked.
    â€œI guess so,” Zee told her friends.
    As Landon got closer, Zee wondered how she really did feel. She wasn’t getting the flip-flops in her stomach the way she used to. That’s weird! she thought.
    â€œHi, Zee,” Landon said when he reached her locker.
    â€œHi,” Zee replied. Think of something to say. Anything, Zee silently pleaded with herself. “Oh yeah!” she suddenly blurted out. “That was really cool that you posted all of those surfer terms on your Bluetopia page.”
    â€œThanks,” Landon said. “It’s kind of like a foreign language.”
    â€œCool beans!” Zee said.
    â€œYeah,” Landon agreed.
    Then there was an uncomfortable silence while Zee tried to think of