Terri was giddy with happiness when she met up with Amber that day, after school. Amber couldn't figure out why she was so cheerful, mainly because Amber was so sad herself. She had just broken Craig's heart, and her heart felt pretty broken, too. In fact, Amber felt rather surly because Terri was happy when she wasn't. To put it simply, Amber was jealous.

The thoughts that ran through her head were, 'How can she be glad about something when I'm feeling as far from being glad as possible? Isn't a real friend supposed to know when you're feeling bad? Terri's supposed to be comforting me, not being so wrapped up in her own life!' Amber's old fears that Terri would desert her returned with full force. Amber could not feel happy for Terri; at least, now when she as feeling so depressed.

Amber was curious as Terri was so happy, though, so she asked, "Hey, Ter, why are you so happy, anyway?"

Terri sighed blissfully. Casually, she said, "Oh, Jimmy asked me out."

Amber was aghast. She sputtered, "Jimmy? As in Jimmy Brooks?" Amber started sounding hysterical. "The Jimmy I went out with?"

Terri remained calm and placed a comforting arm around Amber's shoulders.

"Look, Amber, I know you had problems with him on your date. But he makes me happy." She pleaded, "Don't you want me to be happy?"

Amber was conflicted. She did want Terri to be happy, but she was in a bad mood. At the moment, Amber didn't want anything to go right for anyone. She sort of grunted a reply and turned away.

Terri felt like Amber slapped her. The grunt stung Terri, and Terri went from being only frustrated to being angry.

"Fine. Don't be happy for me. Be lost in your own little world of self- pity. Be that way," Terri told Amber.

Amber was livid. Her face darkened to a beet red color, and her hands curled into fists.

"I am not lost in my own world of self-pity! I do care about other people! Unlike you!"

Terri yelled, "Me? What are you talking about? You're the one that's always talking about your own problems!"

"You didn't even say anything when you saw I was sad today! You just kept on being happy! And you say I don't care about other people?"

"So you don't even want me to be happy?"

"You know what? I don't, in fact. I wouldn't care if you were never, ever happy!"

Terri was shocked. How could Amber be saying this to her? They had gotten so close. They had each entrusted their secrets to the other, but now, Terri could see the animosity in Amber's eyes. Did her own eyes have that same, awful look?

Terri regretted what she had said before. She knew it wasn't true; Amber didn't always think of herself. And maybe she should've asked Amber what was wrong.

With a sense of apology accompanying every word, Terri whispered, "I'm so sorry, Amber. I didn't mean it."

Amber still could not get over the feeling of anger in the pit of her stomach.

She snapped, "Well, I meant every word that I said. I'm not sorry at all." She turned on her heel and left Terri standing there, alone.

Terri felt tears push at the corners of her eye. How could such a small argument set her off? How could it have separated them so quickly? How had things gotten worse so fast?

Craig was walking with his hands in his pockets with Spinner and Marco by his side. His head was inclined as he gazed at the ground.

Spinner had been rambling for some time, and so Craig tuned out as he shuffled his way with the two other boys.

However, his ears perked up when Spinner said something that sounded similar to 'Amber'. As it turned out, Spinner was talking about Amber. But the words Spinner was saying was not to Craig's liking.

Spinner snorted, then said, "You should've seen the look on Amber's face when Ms. Kwan called on her today."

Craig sprung to life and clutched Spinner's collar. It happened so quickly that Spinner was surprised when he figured out that his shirt was tight around his neck and that it was difficult to breathe.

"Don't you dare make fun of Amber."

Not only was Craig's voice scary, the way Craig glared at Spinner was terrifying. Even Marco could see how strongly Craig felt. Spinner was practically trembling.

Craig let go. Spinner breathed again.

He rasped, "Oh, I forgot. You're in love."

Apparently, Spinner still had the tendency to joke around. It also appeared that he still had an inclination to say stupid things at bad times.

This was one of those bad times. And the 'You're in love" comment was a very stupid thing to say to Craig.

Craig looked like he was going to beat the pulp out of Spinner, but Marco held him back.

"Aww, let him at me," Spinner said. "He just wants to defend his stupid girlfriend. Though it's beyond me what he sees in that weird loner."

Craig tried to fight out of Marco's grasp, but Marco had a firm grip on him. All the same, Spinner cowered and fell to the ground, his hands covering his head.

Craig shouted, "She has a reason for keeping away from everyone! Not only are all you guys freaks, but her brother is mentally disabled!"

Spinner was incredulous. "She has a retarded brother?"

"Yeah, that's right!" But then, Craig stopped and thought again. "NO! He's not retarded!"

Craig had gotten himself very confused. How was he supposed to defend Amber's brother? Did he say that her brother was retarded or not?

Craig gave up and left in a huff. He didn't want to screw things up any more than he already had.

It wasn't until he got home that Craig realized he had, in fact, screwed things up more than he had thought. Amber had asked him not to tell anyone, and he had just let two people know. And what if other people had been around and had overheard? This was bad.

He picked up the phone and frantically dialed Marco's number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Marco. This is Craig. Please don't tell." The words came out all in a rush.

Marco was very confused. "Tell what?"

"About Amber."

"Uhh...okay then. But why does it have to be kept secret?"

"Just because. And could you get Spinner not to tell, too?"

Marco shrugged, though Craig couldn't see it. "Sure, whatever. Bye."

"Bye."

Craig was very, very relieved.

Amber sat by herself in her room. She had done it again. She had alienated the only friend she had. But this time, there was nowhere else to run.