Raven took her lunch tray over to her usual table. She was about to put it down next to her best friend, Alana. But before she could sit down, Alana scooted over next to Miriam and turned her back.

Raven looked around for another place to sit. The only open spot was at a table by herself. She sat down and picked at her food. What was wrong with Alana? Why didn’t she want Raven to sit next to her? This was a problem for sure.

Raven watched Alana and Miriam giggling together during lunch. Later, during P.E., she watched them choose each other as partners. It looked like Alana was best friends with Miriam now. And Raven was left on her own. How could she solve this problem?

Raven talked to her mom about what had happened. “Maybe you could make a new friend,” suggested her mom. “There’s that family that just moved in next door. They have a girl about your age.”

Raven liked the girl next door. The next day at lunch, she asked if she could sit by her. They traded chips. They talked. She still felt a sting when she looked over at Alana and Miriam. But at least she had someone to eat with.

Raven was glad to have a new friend. But she still missed Alana. The problem was not solved. She asked her new friend, Aimee, what she should do.

“It seems like you were friends with Alana and Miriam was left out. And now they are friends and you are left out,” observed Aimee. “Triangles are hard.”

“Well, now you’re my friend too,” said Raven. She thought for a while. “Maybe we could be a rectangle?”

Raven wrote a note to Alana and put it on her desk. She explained how she really missed her and wanted to be friends again. She told her that she liked Miriam too, and that she had made a new friend with Aimee. Maybe they could all hang out together?

The next day at lunch, Alana waved to Raven. Raven and Aimee came over to the table, and Alana and Miriam made room for them. They had an awesome lunch together, laughing and trading desserts.

“What happened?” Raven whispered to Alana. “I thought we were best friends?”

“I wanted to talk more to Miriam,” said Alana. “And I thought you would be mad.”

“You should have just told me,” said Raven.

“You’re right,” said Alana. “I’m sorry. Miriam is really nice. And Aimee seems nice too.”

“I think there’s room in the friendship for all of us,” said Raven. Alana agreed. Problem solved!