If… 11B

First thing Peggy saw When she put on her phone was a message from Aida asking her to come over. Whatever the problem is is about to be settled. Of course before she leaves, she has to inform her parents. But they weren't in their room and no one was picking up. No surprise from her dad but her mom? She knocked on Tanner's door. No answer, same from Shane. She had to look at the time: eight thirty. Luckily, Benny and Bev are both around. The message would be passed on.

She was in Aida's house by eight fifty and was in her room by eight fifty three. Aida was sitting looking up at her while she stood glaring at her friend, for the first time she wondered why she'd accepted to come here, if anything- "You know, you should be coming to see me. Not me coming here."

"I had a feeling you were angry."

"Excuse you? Of course I am."

"So much for telling each other everything." Aida turned away.

"Is that what's pissing you off? Because it's nothing compared to what's pissing me off."

Aida faced her again, ready to defend herself. "All I said was it didn't look as great as you think it did. I was being honest."

"Calling it stupid, ridiculous and gross is not honest. It's mean. And that's not all and you know it. We worked on it together. And you didn't say anything. In fact, I did more than you."

"I bought everything."

"Is that supposed to be your defense? I came up with the idea. If you didn't like it, you didn't have to insult it Aida. It's about planning the party. Not about keeping suggestions to yourself. So who wasn't telling who everything?"

"I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"Soooo totally late don't you think?" Peggy bit her inner cheek, glaring at her best friend.

She shook her head. "You just can't take criticism."

Peggy's patience broke. She wanted to yell till the house was torn apart. Like her voice is somehow a waiting tornado. She grunted instead then took in a deep breath and let it out. "I asked if making the banner was a great idea. You said yes. You offered to get the things for it for us to make it. I made it. You kept quiet and then we're hanging it up and you call it gross. I'm not the problem here Aida. You are. Take this time to think about how we got to this point and then let me know what you decide." She turned around and went for the door.

"You're not above being wrong you know?"

"If I did something wrong here, tell me." She waited for an answer that never came then left shaking her head. "Honestly!" She muttered to herself, slamming the door.

***

Meanwhile, Steph looked just about ready to kill Travis. "It's not my fault you slept off without us discussing it." He was just about ready to laugh and she was glaring at him with a 'just woken up' look that was even funnier.

"The children Travis. And Cosmos?" The signature C was a give away.

"They can handle themselves. It was far away and a great option."

"Peggy could set the house on fire to get Tanner upset. Or Tanner to get Peggy upset."

He stared. "Wow you really spend almost every moment you can worrying about them."

"I'm not worrying I'm being-"

"Perfectly illogical? Well at least you agree Cosmos is a great far away option. I don't know whose kids you're talking about, but ours don't have access to fire and it wouldn't cross their minds. But knives on the other hand…" her eyes widened, he chuckled. "I'm kidding. Come on Steph, twenty years and you still can't take a joke." He pat her cheek. "You try sometimes."

"Trav-"

"We're not leaving. Less than two weeks to the trip, this is our time. They have food and friends and distractions. Think of it like you're on one of your trips. You barely worry then do you?" He thought about it. "Actually if the answer is no then I think the problem is me somehow."

"It's not you."

"So you don't worry then?"

"Those are planned Travis. This isn't." She sighed. "Just give me a minute, I'll get over it. And then we can have our time." She smiled.

***

"Where's mom? And dad?" Peggy's question was thrown to the room of boys when she got back and checked for her parents to no avail.

Tanner, Trip and Shane were all in the living room watching a movie. "Dude he's going to do it." Trip blurted words of excitement at the screen.

"Uhhh…" She put out her hands. "Can anyone-"

"They're out, obviously. Come sit with us." Shane pat the seat next to him.

"But I'm having a bad day and I don't-" She was upset, and her voice gave it away.

All three turned around. Tanner's attention was definitely caught, Trip and Shane were more concerned. "Peggy what's wrong?" Trip asked.

She looked at him and smiled. "Nothing."

"Hey." Shane got up.

"No." She's more than just excitement for school and her art. She's more than just a friend to Aida who's being… "I'm just tired. Last night was stressful." She rushed to her room, slamming her door shut and keeping herself from screaming.

Less than five minutes later. "Talk to me." A phone call from Sherry. "Tanner wouldn't want me to tell you, but they're worried. What happened yesterday?"

"Oh?" She couldn't believe it.

"You know how they get with drama. Plus I think if it's about a boy, there's going to be an armory opening up with like guns and torture devices.

Peggy couldn't help chuckling. "It's not a boy. And it wasn't yesterday."

"Then I better let the boys know. But first…" She trailed off to let Peggy talk.

"So…"

"Okay that's a lot confusing. Why would she get upset? And insult it. It's not even for you or her. Maybe she's just jealous."

"Jealous? If anything-" no real thought. "She's like- I mean-"

"Maybe?"

"There's nothing to be jealous of."

"Amazing artist, beautiful, funny."

"Sherry stop. She's not jealous."

"Why else will she be saying those things? Out of nowhere no less."

Peggy sighed.

"It's okay Peggy. She'll come around. And if she doesn't, then maybe it's for the best."

"She's my best friend."

"It's going to be okay. Okay?" Peggy nodded. "Okay?"

"Okay." She didn't believe so. Time. Maybe just time.