She’s complimented me exactly once since we started working together over a year ago, and that was to tell me she appreciated that I always showed up with sharpened pencils.

I don’t think Linda likes me very much, which, fair enough. I bring down her stats. Despite all my studying, my score rose a measly ten points on my last practice exam, which, by the way, was untimed.

I’m so screwed.

My phone dings with a text, and I scoop it up, greedy for the distraction. I do a little shimmy when I see Levi’s name.

Levi: Shola says you’re taking the SAT tomorrow. GOOD LUCK!!!

Me: Thanks. Need more than luck. I need a miracle.

Levi: Nah, you’ll do great. You’re a smartypants. You always give such good advice. Speaking of which…

We’ve been down this road enough times that I recognize the pattern. This is how it always starts: Levi drops the I like so-and-so bomb and then asks me what to do about it, like it’s fun for me to be his personal relationship consultant.

I always help out, because I’m a self-defeating masochist.

I can’t do this tonight, though. I need my beauty rest. The goddamn SATs, the Academy Awards of the high school experience, are tomorrow. I even canceled on Cesar, my reading buddy, this afternoon, and I never cancel on Cesar. That little dude and I are halfway through Harry Potter.

I’m about to say something to Levi like Going to bed, talk later—but his next text beats me to it.

Levi: There’s this girl who’ve I’ve known forever…

Me: I’m tired. Can I give good advice tomorrow?

Levi: I promise it’ll be quick.

Me: You realize I’m no expert, right?

Levi: You totally are, especially with this one. So, anyhow, I’ve known her forever and she’s amazing and well, things have been different between us lately. In a good way.

Levi: But I’m worried about ruining our friendship.

Levi: What do I do?

My mouth goes dry and I fold over. Fluffernutter pushes her head into my stomach to make sure I’m okay. He can’t be talking about me, right? I mean, we’ve known each other forever, or at least since seventh. There’s been a noticeable shift in the air between us lately, or at least I think there has, and if we were to hook up, I’d be worried about ruining our friendship too. I mean, not that worried, because friendship was always my second choice, but still. I get it. I mean, who would he ask for breakup advice when he got bored of me?

I totally guided him through ghosting on Sophie. And Evianna. And Blue. And Rain.

This might be it. For real this time.