Who's Counting - Novel

A Novel

“You told her.”

It’s not an accusation or even angry. Her tone is just flat, defeated.

I stare at Michal, begging my eyes not to fill with tears, but apparently, my body has my brain on mute.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, very aware that we’re in a school hallway, surrounded by hundreds of girls. “I just…I wanted to…explain…and…”

“Just stop, Dalia,” she says tiredly. “I know exactly what you wanted. You wanted to fit in. To get Naama to truly like you, to not lose interest. Well, you succeeded. Field trip tonight? Sleepover at Dalia’s and then quick ride over to Michal’s house to gawk at the castle? Fun, fun. Save me a marshmallow.” She walks away before I can utter another word of defense.

Dalia Levine: Beginning high school is never easy, but for Dalia, who has just undergone a complete makeover in her looks and outlooks, the new start is even more daunting.

She’s never had friends before. Will this new version of herself help her make friends…or will it repel her family, the only ones in her life she ever was close to?

Michal Miller: With her family’s status and background, Michal is intent on never making friends. That is, until Dalia Levine steps into the scene…

Can Michal learn how to tone down her extreme stance…or will she forever be the cause of her own ruination? Can she forgive Dalia’s act of betrayal…or will she pay the price with the loss of her own chance at happiness?

In Who’s Counting? bestselling author Ariella Schiller paints a realistic picture of the complex social world of frum teenagers. Join Dalia, Michal, Naama, Reena, Perel, and the others as they navigate their way through a world of uber helpful big sisters, frightening medical situations, false accusations, and more ups and downs. Because when it comes to high school girls…you just never know Who’s Counting!

 By Ariella Schiller