It’s been one of our traditions ever since. Along with stuffing our faces full of delicious tacos.

We both settle on the couch with our plates as we start to watch our current telenovela obsession, which we decided is a female version of The Count of Monte Cristo, but with the Mexican drug cartel. At least that’s what we think it is. Sometimes Dad and I start making up our own backstories for the characters, so we get a little sidetracked.

Dad sinks back in his seat, a wistful expression on his face. “This is how I like my Tuesdays: good food and good company.”

“I think you mean the best company,” I correct him.

“Obviously. And now for the only way I like my drama: in television form.”

“Hear, hear!” I clink my glass with his.

Chapter Two

Chapter

TWO

“Let me guess,” Marian says as she arrives at my locker the next day. She places my lunch bag to her forehead. “Leftover taco mix and chips.”

I grab my bag from her. “I didn’t realize you’re clairvoyant.”

Hmm, what if I changed up all my habits? Maybe that would make a good essay topic. Imagine it: Ham sandwiches on Wednesdays! Watching telenovelas on Mondays! The scholarship committees would need an armored truck to bring me all my money.

Or not.

“I hope you brought me extra chips.” Marian pulls her thick, curly black hair back in a clip.

“I think that is up there on the rules of being your best friend: Thou shalt share food.”

“Yes!” Marian grabs my elbow. “Speaking of food, do you want to go for a drive after school for some McDonald’s french fries and girl talk?”

“Is Rob actually letting you drive his car?”

“Of course not.” Rob’s the only one in our group with his own car, and he’s more protective about it than any human should be with an inanimate object. “But we’ll obviously ignore him.”

“Obviously.” Sometimes I wonder if Marian only dates Rob because of his car. “As tempting as that is, I can’t. I’m babysitting for the Dorns.”

Marian groans. “Can it be this weekend already? I can’t wait for Lee’s party. There’s going to be so much cake.”

I accidentally let out a snort, but in the most ladylike way.

“What?” Marian asks.

“It’s just something with my dad last night. You know he likes to refer to you guys as the royal family.”

Marian looks thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, and I’m obviously Kate.”

“Obviously.”

“Do they even have enough members of the royal family for all my family to have doppelgängers?”

Good point. There are a lot of Gleasons.

“Neil would be Harry; that one’s easy.” Marian gives me a little nudge.