I sat with Sid at lunch. Cause heck, who else to I have to sit with? I really wish the teachers here were more lenient with phone rules so I could text Harley and Mary about gym. Actually, maybe I shouldn't do that. I don't want to be teased by my own friends.

"Um... hi?" Sid said as I sat down. Obviously he didn't know my friends were sick, or he'd probably know why I'm here.

"Hi" I said. I've sat with Sid before, other than that really awkward time three weeks ago. The time with Awe? Yeah, I'm glad Awe's not sitting here today.

Wait. Awe's not here? Did they break up or something? Dang, dang, dang, dang. I knew if I asked Sid out now then I wouldn't have a chance to date... um... other people. I don't like Sid that way anyway. At least I don't think so. But I'm pretty sure I've said "I don't think so" in my mind like 17 times today. Flock.

I'm pretty sure I'm shaking. Why are Mary and Harley sick today? Out of all days? Today! Urg. They're getting punished for their evil bacteria invading. They are gonna get the beat.

"So um... why are you sitting here today?" Sid completely broke our hard-to-maintain silence, which was kinda disappointing, since I like using silence to my advantage.

"Harley has the stomach bug." I said. Sid nodded, I could tell he was about to speak, but I couldn't leave Mary out, "Mary has strep."

"Oh wow. And knowing you, they're probably gonna get the beat."

"Yep."

Sid laughed nervously. I wondered why he was so unsure right now. I told him everything he needs to know.

"Um.. well, again, sorry for the situation with Awe..." Sid said.

I shrugged, despite myself. I'm gonna consider Awe my worst enemy or anything, but what she did to me back in chapter two was kinda butt. I don't believe Sid is actually dating her! He seems so reluctant of hurting me now. I wonder if he did it because he was scared...

"We broke up." Sid said, interrupting my thoughts. I was about to scowl at him, but then I realized the words he said.

"Oh." I said, trying so hard to to sound mean. "It was for the better." He couldn't argue with that. Awe rotted his guts.

"And now I have a new candy!" He says with his face lighting up. Wow, all through this whole journal I never mentioned what a 'new candy' is. It's a secret code Sid and  I made in 4th grade. It means crush. A new crush.

Ok I'm scared now. At the same time, though, I really want him to tell me. I bet 100$ that it's Harley.

"Cool." I said trying to sound casual. You can probably see where this conversation is leading.

I didn't want to sound rude by asking who, because I doubted he'll even tell me. But luckily, I didn't have to, since he told me off the bat, "It's a sweet little girl. She has dirty-blonde hair and brown eyes."

Description matches the following people: Harley, me.

(Harley and I do look pretty alike, her hair is blonde-er, she's taller, and just overall more pretty.)

"Mhm." I said as I bit into my delicious apple.

"You see where I'm going here, right?" He asked.

I nodded. I did know where he was going. He was gonna  ask me out. What would I say? Part of me is screaming, "DATE DATE, ACCEPT ACCEPT." Another part of me is saying, "Emily, you don't like him like that, don't take it." And for some reason a small part of me is whisper-screaming, "Holllllllyyyy."

I sigh, "Sorry, Sid. But I can't, at least not right now. I think you're an awesome friend, but I don't think I'm ready for that."

I handed him my second apple as a peace offering. "Sorry."

His brows frown as he stands up. He pushes my apple back at me. He walks away.