Joey Davidson opened her eyes to the sound of her pit bull terrier mix whining and scratching reminding Joey that she had to pee. Joey quickly stretched & checked her phone. She had 3 un-read texts from her best friend, Tara. She yanked her phone off the charger & headed downstairs. She opened the door with her pit on her leash and let her dog, Tilly do her business. Joey opened her phone & read the texts. She groaned at the sight of the messages reminding her that school started in less than 5 days.

Tara, Joey & their other friends, Hannah and Emily always had a campout after & before school starts. But this year, Hannah and Emily were away with their family. So now it was just Tara & Joey to enjoy 2 days of endless fun & memory making. Her hate full facial expression quickly changed to a smile. Hanging out with Tara was different than hanging out with any other friend. Tara understands her more than anyone ever has. It was also Tara that helped her learn to accept people for who they are. You see, Tara likes girls. The moment Joey found out, it never crossed her mind to stop being friends with her. Tara and Joey have been best friends since Joey was in 4th grade & Tara was in 5th.

They had a total of 3 fights throughout the years. And it was little fights. Like sister fights. Joey woke up from her daze& quickly replied the texts saying “I’ll call you in a minute”. “Come on tilly” Joey said lightly tugging the leash. Tilly obeyed and they went inside. Joey’s family was always at work. So she was surprised to see her mother at the kitchen table, drinking coffee & filling out a puzzle of soduko.

“Morning mom.” Joey said pulling her short brown messy waves into a bun.

“Joanna, how many times have I told you? Do NOT do your hair in the kitchen. I don’t want to eat your hair if it falls out”. Her mom said still looking at the puzzle. She looked up & smiled. “But good morning”. Joey laughed & poured her a bowl of special K cereal.

“ugh mom, i hate when you call me joanna. call me JOEY. oh. the campout’s coming up soon” joey said.

“Oh is it? Is Tara going to pick you up?” her mom replied.

“I guess I can ask her” Joey gathered her phone& her cereal& quickly punched in Tara’s number in her phone. “heyy” Tara greeted her. Tara was going to be a senior now. This meant that this would be their last campout before she heads off to college. “Hey do you think you could pick me up for the campout?” Joey said switching her phone from her hand to her shoulder.

“Yeah sure. As long as you bring me some yoo-hoo” Joey could hear Tara smiling. Instead of Joey paying for gas when Tara takes her places, she pays her in chocolate milk. Their favorite beverage.

“Of course. Oh, but not tonight. I have to finish my stupid summer reading book.” Joey said rolling her eyes plopping into her bed. She took another bite of her cereal.

“Yeah that’s fine. I have to work tomorrow anyway-IM ON THE PHONE MOM.”Joey smiled & put her bowl down on her nightstand. “I got to go, Joey. I’ll pick you up tomorrow around 3.”Tara groaned. Joey giggled. “Sounds good. Bye” Joey closed her phone & opened her stupid book.