“It’s the only time outsiders can cross into Judaculla without their One.”

“Okay, so what then?”

I gave her a smile. “I’ll be going back for him,” I said.

“I’m going, too,” she said without hesitation.

I marveled at the friendship I shared with Anamae. After all I’d told her, she was ready to put her life on the line for something that was pure fantasy for all she knew. Although I wouldn’t allow her to come with me, I decided not to argue with her. For now.

“I’d like that,” I said.

I felt blessed she was my best friend and thankful I could always count on her to have my back. But I knew I’d sneak away without her knowledge. By the time she found out, I’d be long gone and forgotten. None of it would matter to her in the end.

“Until then,” I said. “What do I do about Victor?”

“That’s easy,” Anamae said. “No matter how he feels, you won’t ever feel the same about him. The best thing for you to do is to break it off.”

“Gee, that sounds super easy,” I said.

“Okay, maybe not. But you know as well as I do it’s the kindest thing. It’s not fair to Victor to keep him hanging on when there’s no chance for it to work out.”

“You’re right,” I said.

“I always am,” Anamae cheekily replied.

“There it is. The humility I’ve come to know and love.”

Anamae laughed. She stretched her arm, snagging the pink envelope from the floor. “Well, since you love me so much, why don’t you take me to prom?”

“I wasn’t exactly planning on going.”

“I say otherwise,” she said. “In a month, we’re going to Judaculla to kick some butt. Until then, I think we owe it to ourselves to live it up while we can.”

“Where’s the prom going to be?”

“Pop-up.” Anamae said. “No one knows. But you know someone on the committee, so you can find out.”

“Who’s that?” I asked.

Anamae chuckled. “Yourself.”

Very funny, world. I thought. Me on any kind of committee, much less for prom. Nice one.

A soft knock on the door told us that visiting hours were about to end. “Don’t mistake our patience for tolerance,” Mom said, stepping into my room. She gave Anamae a smile. “You were to bring up the coffee, then head back home.”

“Sorry, Penny,” Anamae said. She gave me a hug, then bounded to Mom and kissed her cheek.

“Yeah, that’s not going to work,” Mom said. She smiled at Anamae. “But you do know I love you, right?”

“I know,” Anamae said. She turned back to me. “Talk to you—” Hesitating, she looked at my mom. “When we get to college?”

Mom laughed. “Give us the weekend.”