Alice, Childhood Best Friend

“Tammy? Are you home?” Tammy heard faintly from the kitchen. She recognized the voice. It belonged to Alice, her best friend from middle school, who had been the only reason she passed science in 8th grade.

The two had always complimented each other well, Alice being the smart, and shyer of the two, while Tammy was less shy, but not very good in school. Tammy and Alice eventually split ways, getting into two separate groups of friends following freshman year. Tammy had told Alice to leave her alone, when she approached her in front of a boy Tammy had a crush on at the time. They hadn’t talked almost at all since, barely exchanging nods in the halls.

“Helloooo?” Tammy heard again, louder this time. She decided to at least go and speak through the door, and try to get her to go away.

“Hey Alice, I just woke up. Can you come back in a little bit?” Tammy begged, hoping she would say yes.

“My mom told me I can’t go home until I’m done here. Sorry. It’s all right though, I’m glad to help.” Alice said, a hint of glee in her voice.

“What do you mean ‘help’? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tammy said, confused. She pressed against the door so she could hear Alice better.

“Well, your mom and my mom arranged for us to have a study session together. I personally think they both just sent me to check on you, and my mom sent me to get some time to herself. Can you let me in?”

Tammy cursed herself. Her mom would obviously plan someone to check-up on her, but while she was like this? The idea of Alice seeing her like this was making her cringe to the core. There had to be another way. She didn’t want her to know the whole story, and that she was naked behind the door, so she said “Just a minute, let me get ready!”

“Alright. Hurry up though, it’s really hot out here.”

Tammy debated the few options she had. Most of them involved her coming clean to Alice, something she really didn’t want to do. But, maybe she could get Alice to go away?