your best american girl ✓

06 | conspiracy theory

"Faye, hey I didn't see you at lunch. Are you okay?" I ask her, tapping on her shoulder as we try to navigate the way to our next class. She doesn't even bother to slow down so we're walking side to side, just picking up her pace as if I'm not even there at all. Something in my gut tells me she's been avoiding me. Not only has she been ignoring my texts, but she hasn't even waved at me when we pass each other in the hallway.

"Oh me? Perfectly fine. Simply dandy. Never been better, really," she insists curtly, as we dodge clusters of people that are stopping and chatting instead of heading to class.

Yeah, she's definitely mad. I don't even know what I did wrong. Without another glance, she pushes past me, making sure that our shoulders collide in the process. I'm already out of breath, but the force knocks the wind out of me.

"Wait!" I call, reaching toward her, "Zhangster, can we talk?"

"About what, Lee? How you stood me up on Saturday? How I waited an hour for you at the movie theater but you never showed up? Cuz if not, then I don't think there's anything left to say," she huffs, trudging on without another word. Thankfully, I line of students too focused on their phones to move block her path.

Crap, I completely forgot about that. In my defense, we did plan it weeks ago and I was preoccupied with other affairs. Besides, if she had texted or called me, I would've left the D'Medici residence in an instant to join her. Normally, I'd consider myself a pretty responsible person, and I never really forget things. She can forgive me for this one time, right?

With her forced to wait for an opening, I seize the opportunity by squeezing her shoulder for comfort. "Shit, Faye, I'm sorry. It slipped my mind entirely. It won't happen again. I promise."

Her face softens, and she loosens the grip on her backpack strap. "Promise?"

"You have my word," I assure her, nodding.

"Fine," she sighs as we loiter in front of her orchestra class. Kids are already filing in one by one, even though we still have a few minutes to spare before class officially starts. "Only because I don't have any other friends."

"Wow, I feel so special," I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. "Like I'm competing for a spot no one wants."

Playfully, she slaps me on my arm. "Hey! I changed my mind. You're dead to me from now on."

The sudden change of mood earns an influx of confusion from my end. "What? Why?"

"Because that's not something a loving, doting friend would say," she deadpans, rotating her wrist as if it's the most obvious conclusion in the world.

"How 'bout I make it up to you?" I suggest, rolling my eyes. Should've known she was going to say something dumb. "Dinner at my house tomorrow. It's on me. It's the least I can do."

She seems satisfied with this proposal. "That sounds good—oh! I know this is late notice, and I was gonna tell you on Saturday, but I never got a chance. Tonight I need a plus one. I'm going to a family reunion."

"Family reunion?" I repeat, puzzled, even though I hate those types of gatherings. Fortunately, since I have no other family besides my mom, I'm spared from attending these types of parties. Besides, Faye's family is...well, in terms of the wacky humor, they're like her, and I'm not sure I mean that as a compliment. "What's the occasion?"

She shrugs. "Don't know, but my mom is bringing her friend, so I'm probably gonna be alone. Don't get me wrong I like her, but I feel like whenever she's around, my mom and I don't talk that much."

Faye and I are really close, and I feel like I know most of her family friends, so why isn't she referring to them by name? "Do I know this person?"