A Life Like Mine by Jorie Saldanha Page A

really he has good reasons,” I defended.
                  “Like…” Tina wanted to hear more.
                  “I promised I wouldn’t tell,” I answered.
                  “It was probably a really stupid reason,” Allie said
                  “No,” I said simply.
                  “We’re not going to get it out of her,” Keri said.
                  “Why not? Come on, Ash. What made you forgive him?” Tina looked imploringly at me.
                  “No,” I answered again.
                  “I don’t like this game,” Allie said.
                  “It’s not a game. It’s just between him and me,” I said.
                  “Not good enough,” Jennifer said. She hadn’t said anything, but I guess she decided to give input.
                  “What about you, Bet?” I looked at Betty. “What do you think of all this?”
                  “Hmmm?” Betty sighed.
                  “You’re not listening to me, are you?” I asked.
                  “I agree that you should go shopping with everyone else,” Betty answered.
                  I looked at the other girls, “But I’m having your baby, Bet.” I giggled.
                  “That’s okay. I don’t mind.” Betty had a glazed look in her eyes.
                  “What if it’s a munchkin?” Keri added.
                  “Then it’ll have more fun,” Betty said.
                  “What if it looks like Michael Jackson?” Allie chuckled.
                  “Then he’ll be even hotter.” Betty definitely was thinking about Jack.
                  “What if the baby isn’t Jack’s?” I asked.
                  “Huh? What about Jack?” Betty came out of her daze.
                  “Nothing.” Everyone said to Betty.
                  “I still don’t know why you won’t tell us about Adam,” Keri said.
                  “Shhhh. You know he might be able to hear you,” Allie whispered.
                  “She doesn’t care,” Tina replied.
                  “I just think he’s scum.” Jennifer said.
                  “Hey! Don’t say that about him!” I snapped.
                  “Sorry,” Jennifer apologized.
                  “That’s okay,” I answered.
                  “Why do you care what we think about him?” Allie asked.
                  “I don’t know,” I said.
                  “Yes you do,” They said.
                  “No really, I don’t,” I responded.
                  “Oh, I think you do.” Keri shook her finger at me.
                  “What?” I looked at her.
                  “You’ve got it bad,” Tina agreed.
                  “I’ve got what bad?” I asked, offended.
                  “You know,” Allie said.
                  “No I don’t and could you guys stop talking as if you’re one person.” I asked indignantly.
                  “Sorry,” They all said.
                  “Hey! Stop it!” I yelled.
                  “You have it bad for Adam.” Allie reasoned.
                  “I do not.” I refused to believe it.
                  “Yes you do,” Tina said. “If you didn’t like him then you would be trashing him like we have been. Instead, you’re standing up for him as if he is a really good friend of yours. And don’t tell me that you’re just defending him because he’s a nice person. He might be, but I’ve seen the way you look at him. You think he’s a hottie. I know it.”
                  “I do not!” I