Jessie Lou is deeply in love with Conrad Parker Smith, the most popular boy in school. After Conrad hurts his leg, Jessie Lou is assigned to help him home. She and Conrad start spending a lot more time together, but she can't help wonder--is she just a substitute friend?
6th-grader Jessie Lou is deeply, madly, passionately in love with Conrad Parker Smith. Too bad she's a tomboy with only one on-again, off-again friend, and hair so short you can't spit on it. Too bad he's the most popular boy in their small-town school.



But then Conrad hurts his leg and suddenly can't keep up with his old pursuits anymore. Jessie Lou and Conrad start spending a lot more time together, but she can't help wonder -- is she just a substitute friend? And will Conrad forget her when his leg brace comes off and he's king of the school once again?