Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg Read Free Book Online

my outfit (which was the exact same as his), my hair (which had been short for two months, but Keith had failed to notice), and pretty much anything I said. But I ate it up. This was how Keith treated his friends.
    “Dude, next weekend. My house. You in?” Keith said after I finally beat him at a boxing game.
    I had no idea what next weekend was or what we’d be doing at his house, but I agreed.
    I had a girlfriend, an amazing best friend, and was finally becoming one of the guys.
    Things were starting to look up.

Don’t think I’m not offended that you were so desperate for some bro time.
    Dude, you know I didn’t mean it that way.
    Dude . You make it seem like I forced you to have tea parties with my dolls and braid my hair.
    You did start spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
    That’s funny. I don’t remember hearing you complain while you were eating all the food I was making.
    That’s because you’re the best cook in the state of Wisconsin. If not the entire culinary world.
    Flattery will get you everywhere.
    Don’t I know it.

H aving your two best friends date wasn’t as awkward as I’d thought it would be.
    It was much, much worse.
    The first month was a little uncomfortable. I had to watch what I said about one when I was with the other. Then one of them would pump me for information. Sometimes I had to be the go-between. I was even the third wheel on a lot of the first dates.
    One time I went to get some popcorn before the start of a movie, only to discover them kissing (or, more accurately, sucking face) when I got back. I froze, not knowing what to do. For a split second, I debated turning around and ramming my head against the wall in hopes that I would get amnesia. Instead, I cleared my throat very loudly and they slowly peeled away. Thankfully, the lights dimmed down as I settled back in my seat, so I didn’t have to make eye contact with either of them. I wasn’t sure who should’ve been more embarrassed.
    By the time November rolled around, Levi and Emily were inseparable. They were constantly holding hands and I swear I once saw them rubbing their noses together between classes.
    I tried desperately to not be bitter. It wasn’t that I wanted a boyfriend, but I couldn’t help feel a slight sting when they didn’t want me around. Instead of being a necessity, I was a hindrance. Anytime I asked one of them to do something, they already had plans with each other. And I wasn’t included.
    Sometimes I even wished they would break up. But then I figured that would make things even worse. What if I was forced to pick sides?
    There was no way for me to get things back to normal.
    So instead I spent more time with Danielle. “They’re getting pretty serious, huh?” Danielle asked me as we waited in line to see a movie the week before winter break, just the two of us.
    “Yeah.” I was also getting tired of having to be the happy couple’s spokesperson.
    Danielle hesitated a second. “Don’t you think …” She looked around to make sure we didn’t know anybody. “Don’t you think Emily’s kind of slipped away a bit? I mean, I know she wants to spend time with her boyfriend. Duh. But she’s never strayed this far from us. It’s a bit much, you know?”
    Yes, I did know. And times that by two for me. The only reason I still saw Levi on Wednesdays was that Emily had cheer practice.
    “It is a little much.” I only allowed myself to admit it to Danielle.
    “Although, let’s be honest, you’ll probably have to remind me of this conversation when I finally get a boyfriend,” she said dryly.
    I tried to give her an understanding nod, although that just wasn’t one of my priorities.
    “Speak of the devils.” I followed Danielle’s gaze to the concession stand, where Levi had his arm draped around Emily. She leaned into his side and laughed at something he was saying.
    I really liked Levi, I really did. But he was not as funny as Emily always pretended he was.
    I groaned. “Do you