do that again； only this time I've got a schedule all
worked out so that it's even every where。” She giggles and says； “Don't tell my mom； okay？
She would have a ka…nip！”
And this； my friend； is how the Tan Wars began。 Miranda told Shelly that she didn't even
notice her tan at the beginning of the year and that the
place to really roast is on a cruise ship。 Shelly told Miranda that anyone with freckles can't
really get tan and since Miranda had freckles everywhere；
the cruise was a guaranteed waste of money。 I choked down my third of the lunch and
looked around the room； trying to let it all flow past me。
Then I saw Juli。 She was two tables away from me； facing my direction。 Only she wasn't
looking at me。 She was looking at Jon； her eyes all
sparkly and laughing。
My heart lurched。 What was she laughing about？ What were they talking about？ How could
she sit there and look so… beautiful？
I felt myself spinning out of control。 It was weird。 Like I couldn't even steer my own body。 I'd
always thought Jon was pretty cool； but right then I
wanted to go over and throw him across the room。
Shelly grabbed my arm and said； “Bryce； are you all right？ You look…I don't know…
possessed or something。”
“What？ Oh。” I tried taking a deep breath。 “What are you staring at？” Miranda asked。 They
both looked over their shoulders； then shrugged and
wen