"Don't look at me! You're making me laugh!" I said, trying valiantly to keep a straight face.
Frog smiled. "I have to look at you!" He replied, adjusting the camera. "If I don't, I'll end up filming the wall or something."
"Okay, fine. But just try not to smile."
Frog raised his eyebrows. "Not smile? You might as well throw me out the window."
I fell into another laughing fit, then tried to calm myself. It had been a surprising night. At first things had been a little strained, after all, it was kind of awkward coming to his house. But then we made an outline for our movie and started filming it, and with every segment we did, things got more ridiculous. We started with a demonstration of the Armenian alphabet, and Frog kept making funny comments on what every letter looked like. Then we showed how to make lavash, the traditional bread, and somehow we got flour everywhere. Lastly, we were trying to replicate an Armenian folk dance, but at this point I was so far gone that any little thing would set me off into a fit of giggles. I couldn't believe how comfortable I was with Frog, and that I was having a really good time.
"Are you ready to try again?"
I took a deep breath. "I think so."
Frog played the music and I started doing the steps, carefully avoiding his eyes so I wouldn't laugh again. I got about 20 seconds into it, then tripped and fell to the floor. Frog rushed out from behind the camera.
"Are you okay?" He asked, kneeling down to help me up.
"I'm fine," I said, laughing as I stood up. "I just think we might be here all night."
"That's alright with me," Frog muttered. I glanced at him and an awkward second passed before he stepped back. "Um, I think it might work better if you did it like this."
He did some of the dance steps, and he actually looked pretty decent.
"You're a good dancer," I commented. "Maybe you should be on camera for this part."
"No, thank you," Frog replied. "I don't need to give people more reasons to make fun of me."
"Oh, so you're just going to let me take that bullet?"
He gave me a lopsided grin. "Pretty much."
I gave him a playful punch in the arm. "Alright, then. Let's get this over with."
It took a couple more tries, but I finally got it together and we finished the dancing segment.
"Okay, so what now?" I asked, falling onto the couch.
"Your work is done," Frog said with a shrug. "I'll just edit out all the laughing and we'll have a great video."
"All the laughing?"
"Maybe I'll make a blooper reel for the end."
I groaned. "Please don't. I don't want evidence of me making a fool of myself." I looked over at Frog. "Are you sure you don't want any help editing?"
"Nah, it'll be easy. Plus, you're busy with all your homecoming stuff."
I nodded. "Hm. Sometimes I'm afraid all that's going to fall apart."
Frog chuckled. "No way. You'll pull it together. You always do. I'll never forget that time you put on a bake sale at the last minute so we would have enough money to go to the water park.
I stared at Frog. I had a faint memory of that bake sale, it had to have been over ten years ago, but how would he have known about it? Frog ran a hand through his shaggy hair and then peered at me.
"You really don't remember, do you?"
I felt like maybe this was some big joke. "Remember what?"
Frog sighed and sat down on the other end of the couch. "We used to play together a lot when we were younger. We were actually pretty good friends."
I bit my lip, trying to recall anything that validated Frog's statement. When I didn't respond, he continued.
"There was one summer when we spent almost every day together. We dug a big hole in my backyard to try and make a pool, and when it didn't work out, we buried some toys in it. They're probably still out there," he said, glancing out the window. "Anyway, then you guys moved and I hardly saw you after that. It was when we were about seven."
I blew out a long breath. Seven. That would explain why I didn't remember anything. That was when my dad went to prison and my world fell apart. Still, I felt bad that I had no recollection of this part of my childhood.
"Wow, Frog, I'm sorry. I must have a hard time remembering because I went through a lot when I was seven. My dad…"
But before I could let the lie slip out, a woman came through the door. Frog jumped up.
"Hi mom. You're home earlier than usual."
Mom? This woman was gorgeous. I stood up and looked between her and Frog, but I couldn't find a trace of resemblance. Maybe he was adopted.
"Frederick, you have company?"
"Oh, yeah. You remember Kayla Morrison. We were working on a project."
Several expressions flashed across her face before she smiled. "Of course! It's been so long! How are you, sweetie?" She crossed the room and gave me a hug.
"I'm… I'm fine," I responded, a little taken aback with her affection.
"Kayla is our junior class president," Frog interjected. "And homecoming princess," he added in a tone that seemed a little bitter.
Frog's mom gave me an approving look. "That's very exciting! And how is your father, honey? Do you get to see him very often?"
I nearly choked. "My father… is dead."
Her eyes widened. "Oh no, I'm so sorry. Did he pass away in prison?"
There it was. Somehow, this woman knew the truth. I guess if Frog and I really used to be such good friends it would make sense that our families had been close, but that fact didn't give me any comfort. She must have seen the horror on my face because she stepped back and straightened her skirt.
"I'm just going to run upstairs and change. It was lovely to see you, Kayla."
"You too," I squeaked as Frog's mom excused herself. I glanced at Frog, who was giving me an odd look. Maybe he knew the truth as well. I slowly sat back down on the couch, unsure how to proceed. How could I cover this up?
"Are you okay?" Frog asked timidly.
I studied him. If he already knew, what was the point of lying? I didn't really know him too well, but he seemed nice enough. Could I trust him with this secret?
"My dad isn't really dead," I said slowly.
"But people at school think he is."
"Yeah, because that's what I told everyone."
Frog frowned. "Why?"
I took a deep breath. "I've spent a lot of time and effort to succeed at school, academically and socially. If people found out my dad was in jail, all of that could fall apart."
Frog nodded. "I guess that makes sense."
"Please don't tell anyone about this."
"I won't."
I searched his face, and was comforted to see that he looked sincere.
"I'm not going to lie about this forever," I added quickly. "Just until I get out of here and go to college. Hopefully somebody will accept me despite my father's situation."
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Frog said, smiling. "Actually, I think they offer scholarships to children of incarcerated parents."
I laughed in spite of myself. It was amazing that Frog could put a positive spin on this. And I felt a little bit better telling the truth to at least one person. I glanced at the clock on the wall and gasped. I hadn't realized how late it was. If I didn't get to the diner quick I'd be locked out.
"I've got to go," I said, getting up from the couch and hurriedly gathering my things. "Thanks for everything. If you need any more help on the video, just let me know."
"Oh, okay," Frog said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but I didn't have time to talk. I gave a quick wave and rushed out the door.