I didn't focus on school all week. I had my first C-. Well, last time I had this was when I had a lot of trouble with Logan. I groaned at that. Then, I realized what was it: the guys were giving me a lot of trouble. Mrs. Simon must have noticed something was wrong because she came to see if I was okay.

"You look unhappy," said Mrs. Simon.

I was a little embarrassed, but I opened up to tell her what was bugging me.

"Sorry to worry you," I said.

"No, don't be sorry," said the teacher. "I just think you're angry at yourself to let those happen."

I realized she was right. I was feeling a little better after talking to her. I also realized she cared about me.

After school, I was at home doing a book report. It was a rainy wet, so it was a good time to do it. I had no sitting job, either. I was just finishing up when Carlos came in to see me.

"Do you have a minute?" asked Carlos.

"Sure," I said.

He closed my door and sat on my bed.

"What's going on? You're scaring me," I said.

"We have a little problem here," said Carlos

"About what?" I asked.

"Mom could smell drugs on your clothes from the hamper this morning," said Carlos.

My heart started racing when I heard that.

"Um, is Sharon insane? There must be a mistake. I don't do drugs," I said. "That could've happen from anywhere."

"I thought that was strange, but I do believe you," said Carlos.

"I'm glad you believed me. First off, I was asked if I needed a ride and I said no. Second off, I would never go in anybody's cars especially who are on drugs, including weeds. Dad knew all about it and told me that I did the right thing by refusing to take anything. I wasn't raised to do drugs. He taught me not to that at a young age," I said. "I could've had a hung over if that was the case."

"Exactly," said Carlos.

"We'll have to prove it to her," I said.

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out," said Carlos.

"I know Dad would definitely believe me," I said.

"He always does," said Carlos.

Now, I'm angry at this. Just wait until I get the bottom of this.

"Excuse me so I can go fix her," I said as I went to Sharon angrily. "What made you think that I take drugs?"

"Well, I could smell them on your clothes," said Sharon.

"But I'm not lying. I do not do drugs. Dad taught me not to do any of that while I was younger," I said. "Those weeds weren't even mine."

"I don't buy it," said Sharon.

I was trying to tell her that was replaced because of the missing wrong, but she just won't listen. I gave up and stormed out of there. At the Willis', I was telling them about what had just happened. Both girls were shocked.

"Okay, I think that's crazy. Since when Sharon thinks you're doing drugs?" asked Kayla.

"Carlos was on my side," I said.

"I'm glad he told you about it," said Kayla.

"Me, too," I said.

"That's a good thing," said Kaylee.

"I can't wait for Dad to get home from work. He always believed me," I said.

"Of course," said Kaylee.

"I'm so mad at Sharon," I said.

"I would be, too," said Kayla.

"You were right to come over to be with us, Mary Anne," said Kaylee.

"When he's not home, that's when I came to you both," I said.

"You can count on us when you need someone to talk to," said Kayla.

We had a long talk until it was time for them to go out for dinner with their family.

That night, when Dad got home, Carlos told him about what happened.

"Mom won't believe Mary Anne, but I do," said Carlos.

"I believe your sister, too," said Dad. "Where is she?"

"She was next door all this time, but I think she's home now," said Carlos. "She was getting upset."

"I'm going to see if she's okay," said Dad.

In my room, I was sitting on my bed while trying to stay calm when I heard a voice. "Mary Anne."

Oh, good, I was glad to hear that voice. That was when Dad came to sit with me.

"Carlos was just telling me about what happened," said Dad.

I looked up and said, "Dad, why Sharon is accusing me of weeds all of sudden? I would never do drugs."

"I believe you," said Dad putting his arm around me.

"I was working on my book report when Carlos told me she smelled weeds on my clothes. He didn't believe her that I would do such a thing. Why did she think I decline the car ride for a good reason?" I asked him.

"I give you credit for that," said Dad.

"It just hurts that she won't believe me," I said.

"I can tell that's bothering you," said Dad.

"And, why did she think I went to you instead of her?" I asked wiping my tears. "I remember you told me I can always go to you when I have any issues, which I have been doing all this time."

"Of course," said Dad.

"The girls couldn't believe what Sharon was doing," I said. "Because of them, I couldn't focus in school and I had a C- on the test. That wasn't like me. I knew that's what it was. I'm so glad I'm not in the same high school as them."

"If those guys are going to be like that, I'll forbid them to be seeing you if I have to," said Dad.

"I'd be glad for that," I said.

"I do notice a big change in you since they started giving you a lot of trouble," said Dad.

"I know and I hate it," I said.

"Those feelings are normal," said Dad.

"That's what my teacher said to me," I said. "She knew something was bugging me, too."

"Let me put it this way: When you make smart choices, it doesn't make you being a bad person," said Dad.

"Thanks for being there for me," I said.

"Of course. I'm always here for you," said Dad. "I can help you fix things with Sharon."

Later, when I was trying to tell Sharon the truth, she would not want to hear it. I gave up for trying. Dad must have saw that because he went to see me.

"Is Sharon still accusing you?" asked Dad.

"Yes," I said. "It's bothering me."

"I'm sure," said Dad.

At 10:00 pm, I was watching TV when the breaking news came on about Jack and Rick. They caused an accident and they were lucky they didn't cause any injuries, but one of the victims from the other car might be paralyzed. The cause was speeding. As a result, their licenses got suspended for at least 30 days. So, they're not allowed to drive until they get their licenses back.

It was a good thing Carlos wasn't down there with us: That's how his family was killed when he was only eight years old and I'd be worried that would trigger him (he had just gone to bed at the time).

"Yikes," I said. "They got what they deserve. This is why I told them no on car rides if I knew they were on drugs. I'd be too nervous to be with them."

"You did show good judgment," said Dad.

"Good thing I wasn't alone," I said.

"That's true," said Dad.

"God made that happen," I said. "I didn't care if they liked it or not. I wasn't going to put myself in danger."

"I'm still proud of you sticking to your guns," said Dad while he was holding my hand. "Your hand is starting to sweat."

"It's probably from stress. That's what the girls were afraid of," I said.

"I'd be worried about that, too," said Dad.

"The more I thought about it, I think it's time for me to end the friendship with them like Sam did," I said. "He just knew they weren't for him."

"That would be a strong move for you. You just need to follow your heart and do what's best for you," said Dad. "Listen, if you need my help, I'll be there for you. I just want to see you happy."

I knew he was trying to cheer me up. I haven't been happy since they gave me trouble.

I'm still mad at Sharon.

When I went to bed, I didn't even go to sleep right away. I never had this problem before. I think it's because I still had a lot going in my mind because of the guys. I was trying to tell myself it wouldn't happen to me. That didn't work. I must have fallen asleep because at two am, I was tossing and turning while dreaming being killed in a car crash caused by speed.

"No, no," I was calling out. "No, no."

Dad must have heard me because he came in trying to wake me.

"Mary Anne," said Dad as I woke up. "You were having a bad dream."

"I was just trying to tell myself the accident wouldn't wake me, but it wasn't working," I said while my voice was breaking. "It took me a long time to get to sleep."

"I can tell your mind is still all over the place," said Dad comforting me.

"I do know I made a big mistake by being their friend," I said.

"Mistakes happen. You just didn't know that was going to happen, that's all," said Dad.

"How can I be so dumb not knowing it?" I asked putting my hands over my eyes.

"No, you're not, sweetheart," said Dad while he was grabbing me to put me against him and I put my arms around him while I was crying. "It'll be okay."