Honeybees and Frenemies by Kristi Wientge

Author:Kristi Wientge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Chapter Sixteen

Random Bee Fact #56:

Bees are picky eaters. They start with their favorite flowers and save their least favorite for last.

It was six thirty in the evening and still bright outside. One of my favorite things about summer—nights that feel like daytime. Mom kissed my head good-bye and hugged me. It felt good to have the softer version of her instead of the pointy, jabby one, but I didn’t let myself relax into her hug too much. She was off to New Jersey.

“Fran will be home soon. There are leftovers in the fridge or you can wait for her and eat whatever she makes. While you’re waiting, clean up your room,” Mom called as Dad pulled her luggage out the door to the car. “Love you.” It’s funny because Mom always lists off things to do as a farewell and I really do think it means she loved us.

I waved and stood at the door until they were out of the driveway.

I’d been avoiding Mom as much as possible for the past few weeks and now that she was gone, it felt like I had nothing else to do. I crashed on my bed, digging the Bribe Phone out from under my comforter, then set it in front of me.

I hadn’t messaged Brooke back in more than two weeks. She called Mom’s phone when I was at the food pantry once, but when I called her back it went straight to her messages.

Mom had charged the phone. It wasn’t new-new; it was Dad’s old one.

I didn’t even have to scroll to find Brooke’s number, since there were only a few numbers programmed in. Instead of messaging Brooke right away—mostly because I couldn’t figure out where to begin with telling her everything that’d been happening—I chose a cool wallpaper and set up my password. Then I opened up the messaging app and typed and deleted a few messages before settling on something true, holding back all the details I wasn’t ready to put into words.

Got my own phone!!!!!

So much to catch up on.

Can’t wait to see you soon!

Miss you. xoxo

Brooke messaged back:

Haven’t heard from you in forever!

Miss you so much. 2 more weeks girl!

I fell back against my pillows. It felt good to know that Brooke wasn’t mad at me for not sending her any messages for weeks, but also made me feel guiltier for not telling her what was going on. Like how Mom just left for New Jersey or how I kind of maybe understood Candice better and could possibly find her a little bit nice and funny and could even think of her as a friend.

I’d always told Brooke everything. We even got dressed in the same changing rooms when we bought new bathing suits and school clothes.

But maybe Candice and I could pull off the bee beard and win. Brooke would be back from camp before the festival. She’d watch us win with our amazing talent and there’d be no New Jersey to not tell her about because I wouldn’t be moving after all.

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