I didn’t expect Anna would ask to be my friend. I had never had any problem with Anna before. So, I gave her a chance.
“Yes, let’s be friends.” I smiled at Anna and offered my hand.
Instead of accepting my hand, Anna hugged me. “Thank you!”
Then Jess, Holly, and Evelyn approached Anna. It was Holly who patted Anna’s back. “Welcome aboard, Anna!”
Anna grinned, and then we all left the vacant lot. Marco walked with Franklin, maybe because he saw me with my friends.
Jess held my hand and asked, “Why were you defending Evelyn, Em? You could get hurt.”
“Well, I know how it feels to be bullied. Also, Evelyn is Holly’s friend. So, since Holly is our friend, then Evelyn is our friend too,” I said.
“Em, did you learn all of those from Marco?” Jess asked. “How you fought with Cherry’s gang
