I definitely didn't want to be like those fake friends.

So I said quickly, but with quite a bit of emphasis to make sure they realized how serious I was: "That sounds great, and I'd love to go. But I don't want you to buy me anything. You've already given me so much. I'd feel really bad otherwise, and I don't want to take advantage of you. You're my friend because you're a great person, because I like you, not because I expect something from you."

Mona remained completely motionless again.

Almost seemed like a statue to me.

She needed a moment to collect herself. She seemed to be thinking....