"Are you excited for your birthday?" I asked him.

He smiled. "Heck yeah. Mom's forcing me to send out RSVP. You'll be able to make my bowling party, right?" He lowered his gaze to the floor. Ever since Franco died, Gregory had treated me with kiddie gloves, as if one wrong word would send me in a mental institution.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." And I meant every word.

When Gregory glanced up to look me in the eye, I returned the smile. He made me feel good, like everything would eventually be okay. I hoped that if he ever needed me I would do him justice. I'm happy I never told him my theory of Kina and my mom trying to kill me. He would've thought I was crazy.

Maybe I was crazy?

Mrs. Crimson had told me a part of the grieving process was anger. I guess I had projected my anger on Kina because I couldn't express anger over Franco dying on me. He would never be in my life again, but my family would always be there, unless I foolishly kept pushing them away. Maybe when I got braver, I'd discuss my bottled up emotions with Gregory.

I noticed Maria heading toward us. She walked in confident strides, with her head high in the air. Any other time, I would've rolled my eyes or tried to trip her if she walked past me. But a part of me wouldn't mind Maria's presence after last night. Once she apologized to me, we sort of bonded. I know crazy, right?

When she reached us, her gaze never left mine. Shyly, she said, "Hi, Loren."

"Hi, Maria."

"See ya in homeroom."

"Okay."

And just like that, Maria left our bubble.

Gregory squeezed my arm gently. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I know she's been a real pain to you lately. Hopefully, your history project will go quickly, so you don't have to deal with her anymore."

"Everything is fine now. Last night she stopped by my house, and guess what?"

Gregory raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Maria Clinton apologized to me for all the bad things she ever said. Sincerely. No passive aggressive digs, excusing her actions."

"Really? Wow. That's good. I didn't like how she treated you."

"Maybe you should give her a chance and invite her to your birthday party."

"Are we in the Twilight Zone? I never would've guessed you would say that." He laughed. "But I'll invite her to make you happy."

From that moment on, I considered Maria Clinton a friend.