“We’ve never done anything together that I’ve actually cared about,” Amanda said bluntly.

“What? You can’t possibly mean that.” Deena’s heart pounded. Amanda had built up this secret the whole sleepover, and that statement was the last thing Deena would have expected to come out of Amanda’s mouth.

“My mom… she forced me to be friends with you. You were new to the school and I did feel bad for you, but now things just aren’t working out,” She stated. “I enjoyed your company for a bit, but now I don’t feel like we get along well; and we don’t exactly share many common interests either.” Deena hated that she had to admit Amanda was right. Amanda never initiated hangouts; it was always Deena’s idea to do stuff together. Amanda was a sporty girl, and Deena was a theatre kid. The only major interest they both shared was a love for cinema and filmmaking. The two girls were sitting on opposite ends of the bed, staring at each other.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t keep lying to you.”

“How long exactly have you been faking our friendship?” Deena snapped.

“I-, well… um. About three months?” Amanda grimaced, bracing for impact.

“Three months?!” Deena couldn’t believe what she was hearing. They had been friends for four months, but apparently only one. Deena’s face felt hot, and her eyes welled up.

“I-I can’t stay. I’m calling my mom to come pick me up.” Deena got up off the bed and exited Amanda’s room. She headed straight for the bathroom where she could have some peace and quiet. It was the only safe place where she wouldn’t be bothered by that phony friend. Deena shut the door to the bathroom gently, not making a peep as to not alert Amanda’s parents. Slamming the door in a bout of anger would not have been the smartest idea. She sat on the cold tile of the bathroom floor; back up against the bathtub. It smelled faintly of bleach, which meant Amanda’s mother must’ve recently cleaned. Deena took her phone out of her pocket, it was cold from a lack of use because Deena had been enjoying the time spent with her friend. She felt like a fool. She then proceeded to call her mother. Deena confirmed she’d be getting picked up in about thirty minutes.

Ugh, not enough time to just hide out until she gets me, Deena thought. I’ll have to go back to her room and face the faker. I don’t want her parents getting concerned. She creaked open the door and stepped into the hallway; peeking around making sure nobody was in sight. Deena went back to Amandas’s room, and she knocked on the door. Amanda’s bed squeaked as she got up off of it and walked to the door. The door opened, and Deena was face-to-face with the girl who had wronged her.

“Can I… come back in?” Deena asked, hesitantly.

“Oh, yeah.” Amanda stepped away from the doorframe. She went and sat back down on the bed. Deena followed behind and shut the door. The two were back where they started, sitting across from each other on Amanda’s bed. They both sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. After ten daunting minutes, Amanda spoke up.

“Wanna scroll through TikTok?”

“No thanks,” Deena replied. Deena continued silently scrolling on her own phone. Twenty minutes went by, and Amanda’s mother slowly opened the door and peered through the gap.

“Deena, your mother is here to pick you up.”

“Thanks, Mrs. K!” Deena put on her most cheery–but still seeming genuine–disposition. She grabbed her overnight bag and slung it over her shoulder.

“Bye, Amanda,” she said with a slightly friendly tone and a wave. Amanda waved goodbye without a word. Deena walked through the halls of the house, down the stairs, and sat down in the genkan. Deena slipped her Nike sneakers on and headed out the front door. She walked straight towards her mother’s silver Toyota Corolla, and didn’t turn back for a second look.