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Kate didnt knohich surprised her more: the question or the vulnerability in Tullys eyes "Were friends "

"Excellent " Tully pulled a package of Twinkies out of her purse, then sat down beside Kate "Now lets talk abouta bitch Really I just know about fashion Its a gift Can I drink your onna eat that banana? I could come to your house after school"

Kate stood outside the drugstore looking up and down the street for soht know her mom "Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely "

The ansas slim comfort, actually In the day theyd officially been friends, Kate had learned one thing about Tully: she was a girl who made Plans

And todays plan was to make Kate beautiful

"Dont you trust me?"

There it was, the big question It was like rolling a Yahtzee: once Tully said it, Kate lost the game She had to trust her new friend "Of course I do Its just that Im not allowed to wear makeup "

"Believe me, Im such an expert your mom will never know Come on "

Tully walked boldly through the drugstore, choosing eye shadow and blush colors that were "right" for Kate, and then—a, Tully said airily, "Were friends, arent we?"

On the way out of the store, Tully bumped her, shoulder to shoulder

Kate giggled and buh town and followed the river toward home All the while, they talked about clothes and music and school Finally, they turned off the old road and went down Tullys driveway

"My gran would freak if she saw this place," Tully said, looking embarrassed Rhodies the size of hot-air balloons covered the side of the house "She owns this house, you know "

"Does she visit you?"

"Nah Its easier to wait "