BFF* by Judy Blume Read Free Book Online Page A

Alison stacked the books on her desk.
    â€œBut she’s so famous!” I said.
    Maizie growled. I wondered if it was true that she tried to bite reporters who asked too many questions.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter that she’s famous,” Alison said. “When she’s home she’s Mom. The other stuff is just her work. It has nothing to do with me.”
    â€œYou sound so well adjusted,” Rachel said. “Kids of stars aren’t supposed to be well adjusted. They’re supposed to be neurotic.”
    â€œI can’t help it if I’m not. Now could we please change the subject?”
    I looked at Rachel. All three of us were quietfor a minute. Then I said, “When you were little and you lived in France did you eat frogs’ legs?”
    Alison laughed. “Even when we change the subject you’re still asking questions!”
    â€œStephanie likes to know everything about her friends,” Rachel said, linking her arm through mine. “It’s a sign that she cares.”

Left Wing
    The window in the second floor girls’ room at school looks down on the playing field. I discovered this on Monday at the end of lunch period when I happened to look out that window. The soccer team was at practice. And who should be playing but Jeremy Dragon! I ran down to the cafeteria to tell Rachel and Alison. Then the three of us raced back up to the girls’ room.
    â€œHe plays left wing!” Alison said.
    â€œWhat does that mean?” I asked.
    â€œThat’s his position,” Alison said. “Look … he’s trying for a goal!”
    We held our breath. But he missed.
    Since then we don’t waste a lot of time in the cafeteria. As soon as we finish eating we comeup to the girls’ room and spend the rest of lunch period looking out the window. Jeremy Dragon has hairy legs. Rachel says that means he’s experienced.
    â€œExperienced how?” I asked.
    â€œExperienced sexually,” Rachel said.
    â€œReally?” I asked. “How do you know that?”
    â€œI read it,” Rachel said.
    â€œHow far do you think he’s gone?” Alison asked.
    â€œFar,” Rachel said.
    â€œAll the way?” Alison asked.
    â€œPossibly,” Rachel said.
    â€œJust because he has hair on his legs?” I asked.
    â€œThat and other things,” Rachel said.
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œI think what Rachel means,” Alison said to me, “is that his body is very mature.”
    â€œWell, so is Rachel’s,” I said. “She has breasts and she gets her period.”
    â€œReally?” Alison said to Rachel. “You get your period?”
    â€œYes,” Rachel said. “I’ve had it since fifth grade.”
    â€œI haven’t had mine yet,” Alison said.
    â€œNeither has Steph,” Rachel said.
    â€œAnd that’s the whole point,” I told her.
“Your
body is developed and you don’t have any experience. You haven’t even kissed a boy.”
    â€œJeremy Dragon is in ninth grade,” Rachel said. “I certainly expect to have kissed a boy by the time I’m in ninth grade.”
    â€œI’ve already kissed two boys,” Alison said.
    Rachel and I looked at her. “Real kisses?” I asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen did this happen?” Rachel asked.
    â€œLast year. I kissed one at the beach and the other in the courtyard at school.”
    â€œHow old were these boys?” Rachel asked.
    â€œMy age. Sixth grade.”
    â€œKissing a sixth grade boy isn’t the same as kissing someone like Jeremy Dragon,” Rachel said. “Kissing Jeremy Dragon would be a whole different story.”
    Alison looked out the window. After a minute she said, “I see what you mean.”

Mr. Kravitz
    Mr. Kravitz, the exterminator, came to our house in a white truck that had K RAVITZ—SINCE 1967 printed in small letters on the door. He wore a