Hayley made me sit while she fixed my hair and applied just the right amount of makeup. I knew we were going to be late, but she didn’t rush us. When she was done, she pulled me to stand in front of my full-length mirror that hung on the back of my door. “You’ll win because you’re nice, beautiful, and involved in every after-school sport and activity. And also, look at my amazing skills. Your hair and makeup are sweet!”

Hayley was my rock. She’d been there when we were thirteen and my mom died of ovarian cancer. She was there a few short months ago when I was dumped by Parker. She’d also had my back for every little thing in between. She was always so confident. I’d never seen her knocked down in the twelve years I’d known her.

I slipped on my heels to complete the look. “Look at me. I’m a giant. I’ll be the tallest one there.” Because of my height I was the best at every sport. The only time I hated it was whenever I had to dress up. Dances, award ceremonies, and away games. Everyone always stared at me.

“Are you kidding me? I don’t know why you don’t model, too.”

“Because I have bumps, bruises, and scars.” From September to December, I wore bruises like badges. My teammates winced when, the day after a game, I had a bruised chin or a butterfly Band-Aid on my hairline from one too many hits on the turf. Thankfully, track and softball weren’t as physical. But her comment flattered me.

“Still the face of an angel. I’d kill for your wavy hair and dark blue eyes,” she said.

“And I would love to be a normal height for the dances.”

“You’re going to be the big spoon in any relationship. Even if you start dating guys.”

I scowled. “Not going to happen.” I knew from the time I was little that I liked girls. Hayley even knew and in middle school when our hormones kicked in, we had a list of the girls I wanted as girlfriends and a list of boys she wanted as boyfriends. Our lists never crossed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t ready when you got here. Thank you for getting me out of my funk,” I said.

Hayley locked her arm with mine. “That’s what best friends are for. Funk busters.”

I laughed because it was such a corny thing to say. “I love you. Let’s go have some fun.”

“Oh, you mean like win homecoming queen? Yeah, I’m down for that.”

* * *