“But … I live here now,” I state bluntly.

“Oh.” Her mouth hangs open a little. Her playful demeanor shifts. “Do you like it here?”

“It’s nice.” I don’t want to upset her by telling her how much I want to go back home. “I’m happy we’re hanging out. And I like hearing about all your friends.”

She smiles at this. I want to brush back the strand of her long hair that is hanging in front of her face, but I don’t feel we’re at that level of closeness yet.

We spent the half hour waiting for the pizza by telling each other about our friends. Sarah wanted a couple of them to come over today, but Paula thought it was too soon. She was worried they’d take pictures of me or something.

“Have you and Neil kissed?” Sarah takes her two index fingers and moves them around while making smooching noises.

Kids.

Although it was the exact same gesture I’d done to Neil when I asked him about Dana.

Like big sister, like little sister, I guess.

“None of your business,” I state with a flip of my hair. I then take a big bite of pizza so I can’t talk for a while.

“Oooh!” Sarah coos. Her phone beeps. She picks it up, laughs, and then frowns again. “I don’t know how I’d feel if we had to move. I was angry when we moved two miles from our old house. I used to live only a block away from my best friend.”

“Stacey?” I confirm.

“Yeah, Stacey. I’d be, like, really upset if I couldn’t see her again.”

“Well, I’ll see Neil again.” I hope. “And Marian is coming next week. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

Sarah nods. “Me too. But then she has to leave.”

I try to not let her see how much that’s ripping me up inside. “Yes, then she has to leave. But I’ll see her again.”

“But it’s not the same.”

“No, it’s not the same.”

“But you’re staying here until at least graduation, right?”

“Right,” I reply.

“Promise?” She holds out her pinkie.

This is not a hard thing to pinkie swear, since, you know, I don’t have a choice. “Promise.”

“Good!” She beams. “I overheard Mom and Dad talking, and they didn’t think you’d stay. That’s why they were so quick to come get you. I guess they wanted to start the bribing as soon as they could.”

My face scrunches as I try to understand what she’s saying. So were the iPhone and clothes and Packers watching some sort of bribe? But for what?

“I’m sorry.” Sarah looks down at the floor. “I’m sorry I was so mean to you when you came here. I just …” A tear starts to fall down her cheek.