the red review

1. Head Over Heels

Dear Primary,

I have a crush on my best friend's brother. We've been Snapchatting for a while, and I think he likes me back, but I'm scared she'll FREAK if she finds out. I'm scared to tell her the truth, but I really like him. Should I go for it?

Signed,
Head Over Heels

Dear Head Over Heels,

Having to hide your feelings from your best friend is a total bummer, especially when it's about her own brother. I think you need to tell her the truth. I don't think she'll freak out about the two of you if you're honest with her about it. Talking is the best way to work through a problem. It'll bring you closer as friends if you're open and honest with her.

Signed,

Primary

Big Red hit "send" and closed his laptop, smiling to himself. Nothing makes him feel better than helping people with their problems—anonymously, of course. He couldn't let anyone find out about his secret identity.

He's been running The Red Review since freshman year under the alias Primary. It's been kinda tough to keep under wraps, but he hasn't failed yet. It's kind of cool to have a secret identity, though. It's like he's Superman or something.

"Uh, Big Red?"

He startles and looks up, "Yeah?"

Ricky nods down toward his textbook, "We still have the rest of the chapter to look through."

Oh. He and Ricky came to the library earlier to study for their history class. He brushes it off nonchalantly, "Oh, yeah, right, of course."

"You shut your laptop." Ricky points to his laptop with his pencil. Right, he told him he was taking notes. He was, at first, but then he saw how flooded his Tumblr was.

"Oh, I just...I needed a break," he says with a chuckle. "Y'know, my eyes got tired."

Sometimes the column makes him feel like a big hypocrite. He just gave advice about honesty and now he's lying to his best friend.

"Want to just call it a day?" Ricky offers. "My brain's fried, and I think the only thing that can help is to go to the skatepark. It's been too long since I've skated."

"Sure." Big Red understands. With everything going on in the musical, it was kind of weird to have a free day. They have practice every day after school, which is dumb because he's only supposed to be a techie, but Miss Jenn preaches that everyone should be included. He's caught himself on numerous occasions answering questions behind the clothing rack in the dressing room so no one would see him because rehearsals ran into his posting schedule.

He starts to pack up, putting his notes away into his planner. Oh shit, it's Thursday. No wonder he got so many letters. "Actually, Ricky, can we raincheck? I have, uh, laundry to do."

Laundry? Seriously? Red knows he can't lie to people, but laundry? He's never even done his own laundry! His parents won't let him anywhere near the washing machine!

"Yeah, dude, of course. You need a ride home?"

He shakes his head, "Nah, I can take the bus." Yes, Red, you would like a ride home. You just feel too guilty because you can't take your own advice, and in more ways than one. He watches Ricky pack up and walk out of the library. He lets out a groan and practically smacks his head down onto his laptop.

Writing the column is gonna be harder than he thought.