Stuck in the middle with you...

(For anyone who's curious, the haunted spice rack on eBay sold for $232.50!)

So...in high school, I was part of a trio. Three really close friends. Inseparable. Two girls and one guy. We were bestest friends and like brother and sisters. We hung out together, did homework together (even did each other's some times), went off campus to lunch together, did stuff on the weekend, and were basically joined at the hips three-ways.


Our senior year, I noticed that my two friends would disappear more and more. They weren't always available for lunch or homework or riding around after school. Then, I caught them making out in her car. Needless to say, I was shocked, horrified...and hurt. I think secretly, both of us had always had a crush on him and hoped something would blossom...but why was it her and not me? They both tried to comfort me that "nothing will change" and we'll all still be friends. But how can you go back to how things were when you're clearly the third (undesired) wheel?



This happened two other times to me in my college years. Obviously I can't learn. Each time, I felt betrayed, idiotic, and lonely over the loss of the unique friendship. I also wondered why wasn't I the one the friend chose? Which leads to typical teen self-doubt, lack of self-confidence, and overall fear of rejection.

I'm thinking of including this type of situation in a future YA book since it's a really emotional thing that a growing teenage girl has to deal with and overcome to be a confident, strong woman.

Have you ever found yourself to be the third wheel or odd man out in a special relationship? What did you do when you found out? How did you cope with it?



Would love your feedback!

Hugs,
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS Series (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)

The Buzz on the LA Freeways

If you’ve been to Los Angeles, you know that we spend a lot of time on our freeways. Often at zero MPH, bumper-to-bumper.

So I guess it was only a matter of time until people came up with constructive use of that time. Allow me to introduce what LA radio talk show hosts are calling “Freeway Flirting”, the hot new way in town to meet people.

This starts, usually, with rolled-down windows, smiles, waves and provocatively arched brows. Sometimes cell phone numbers are called out over the rush of other-side-of-the-freeway traffic. And some particularly well-prepared drivers hold up pre-made signs bearing their names and cell numbers.

There’s a story about one determined young woman who relayed her contact information to a looking guy in the car behind her by writing her cell number in lipstick on the back windshield--backwards so he couldn’t get it wrong.

I have to say I have mixed feelings about hook-ups on the road (sounds dangerous!), but I suppose it adds a dimension of excitement to one’s daily work or school commute, not to mention, the widening the scope of one’s dating pool.

Thoughts on or experience with “Freeway Flirting”, anyone?

Tina
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress--available now
www.tinaferraro.com