“Lily, you’re in seat 16A,” she said, giving Lily her pass. “And, let’s see, Harper is in seat 14C.”

“But I thought I was sitting next to Lily,” I said.

“Nope.” Megan’s mom double-checked our seat numbers. “It appears you’re not.”

I knew she was only stating facts, but I got the feeling she was enjoying my disappointment. It was hard not to imagine that when she looked so much like Megan, the person who’d always been extra challenging to me.

Lily and I exchanged a bummed-out look.

“But is there any way I can switch?” I plead.

Megan’s mom shrugged. “You’ll have to wait and see who you’re both sitting with and ask them.”

It was too late to go around asking everyone now. A few of us were already past the ticketing agent and walking down the jetway. Besides, I wanted to be a good sport and not a bratty baby about this. I decided to just be cool. And from the resolved look on Lily’s face, I could tell she’d decided the same.

A few minutes later, as I followed the seat numbers down the aisle, I was in for a surprise when I saw Megan and Trina at row sixteen. Ack!

They both looked up at me, clearly wondering what I was doing there.

“Hey, guys,” I said sheepishly. “I’m supposed to be sitting here, but I can totally swap with the person sitting next to Lily.”

Megan peered up over the seat in front of her. She eyed Lily getting into row fourteen with . . .

I turned around to see who the person is. It was Megan’s mom!

“Nope,” said Megan. “I love my mom, but it’s enough to have her chaperoning this whole trip. Not going to sit next to her if I don’t have to!”

I puffed out a defeated sigh and gave Lily a sad wave. She waved back with a frown.

“You two will be sharing a room, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up later,” said Trina.

“It’s cool.” I smiled, embarrassed that I’d dragged this on so long. At least I got the window seat.

Once I was buckled in, I texted Eliza to give her an update.

Boarded and so far, leaving on time.

It’s a sunny and clear day here. Great day for a flight.

I hope so.

I know so.

My grinning captured Megan’s attention. She’s seated next to me, hogging up both armrests. “Don’t tell me you’re texting Lily.”

Trina looks at me and cracks up. “Oh, no. Is it like, Hi, Lily. Do you sense me staring at the back of your head? How about now? Or now?”

Megan snorts.

“As a matter of fact, I’m not texting her. I’m texting another friend.”

“What other friend do you even have?” asked Megan, unironically.

“Eliza, from my old dance studio in Connecticut. She’s excited I’m coming up,” I explained.