Sophia said, “What are you talking about? The Narc’s disgusting. He looks like a rat. He always has mashed food stuck in his teeth. I’m insulted.” Elle concentrated on the layer of sand Sophia had left behind on her white comforter.

She didn’t believe Sophia but she didn’t question her either. All she wanted was for them be on the same side again. “Sorry,” she said. “I had the worst night ever last night.” Elle broke down and cried. She told Sophia about her date with Speed.

Sophia said, “You’re not missing out on much. Both Ashley and Lonnie said he sucks in bed.” Sophia said it in a matter of fact way that made Elle feel uneasy. Elle continued to joke along although a couple of times she caught herself feeling like the last person to get the punch line of a joke. This had never happened with them before.

The next morning while walking to school, Elle found herself dragging behind to see if Sophia’s gait had changed. Sophia wore her Bongo jeans and Elle noticed that her butt had not gotten any bigger but she did seem to walk a bit bow-legged. After school at Sophia’s house, Elle checked the bathroom cabinets to see if her cousin had started using tampons. Before dinner, while Sophia was in the shower, Elle made the ultimate discovery and uncovered two condoms in Sophia’s underwear drawer.

Elle held up a blue condom and said, “See I knew it was you!”

Sophia had just gotten out of the shower and only wore a white towel wrapped around her head. She said, “Excuse me?” and swerved her neck with such attitude that the towel flopped over.

“I knew you did it with him, so why deny it?”

Sophia pushed Elle aside. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you anymore. Let me get my underwear you tripper.” Sophia snapped on her brand new Victoria Secret leopard print bra. “Don’t you remember we hid them together? For when we decided that the time was right? One for me and one for you?”

Elle, remembering said, “Oh.”

Sophia had her back to Elle and was trying to squeeze into some stretch jeans but Elle still heard her say under her breath, “I wish you trusted me.” In the mirror of the sliding glass door, she saw Sophia rolling her eyes.

For the rest of the week, Elle and Sophia hung out less during school hours. Her cousin started hanging with the six-pack any chance she got. Elle and Sophia used to cut class only occasionally when one or the other was on her period and couldn’t deal with changing clothes and running around for P.E. But now, Sophia turned it into a daily habit.