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CHAPTER 29Lyric
LIP OF THE DAY:
Topicals Lip Balm
I wake up feeling raw but at peace on New Year’s Eve. The fact that I have to work from ten to four barely fazes me, especially since my plans for the night are set. Kiana is coming over for a self-care evening and we are unplugging—no social media, no booze (we learned our lesson), no talking about crushes or exes, and definitelynopressure to be festive or get all dressed up for a messy house party. Just comfy clothes, face masks and cuticle treatments, pizza, and a marathon of our favorite early 2000s dance movies:Save the Last Dance,Center Stage,Honey, andStep Up. In fact, I don’t need anything distracting me or messing up my peace today. I turn my phone on Do Not Disturb so I’m not tempted to go on any apps when my notifications hit.
After a morning walk with Grammy, I drive to work and clock in. “I have you on the floor all shift,” Jeannine says as I stuff my personals into a cubby in the break room.
“Oh, bless you!” I smile, pulling my hair back with a grin. I had prepared myself to be on registers, given the holiday rush, but this is truly the best news.
I start with the berries—stacking them neatly in the refrigerated case, logos all facing the same way. Then I crush the bags of spinach and kale into their spots one shelf over; next, the carrots, celery, mushrooms. As I stock, people rush by grabbing things for the evening, but I gleefully ignore them, making trips back and forth from the storage rooms to the grocery floor, methodically adding things to aisles one shelf at a time. I’m lining up bottles of mayo in the condiment section when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
“Damn, girl. You locked in. I’ve been calling your name for like three minutes.”
Jamison is standing in the aisle, talking to me.
“What are you doing here?” I say, looking around for his mom—maybe he’s here with her.
“I came to see you. I tried to text, but—yeah. Can we talk for a min?”
“My phone’s on DND, plus I can’t have it with me on the floor. I’m a little busy, if you can’t tell.”
“I know. I’ll be quick. I can wait until you have a break.”
I’m about to lie and tell him I already took my lunch when Jeannine walks by and yells: “Lyric—go eat! You’re overdue.”
Jamison grins. “How about a sub from next door? My treat?”
“Fine,” I say. “But only because I didn’t pack food today, and you know I can’t say no to Jimmy John’s.”
Five minutes later, we slide into a Jimmy John’s booth with subsand Cherry Cokes, jalapeño chips for me and BBQ chips for Jamison. I take a huge bite of my sandwich, not pressed about how it looks, and a big gulp of pop. “So, what’s happening here?” I ask finally, motioning between us.
Jamison clears his throat. “I wanted to apologize.”
I freeze mid-bite, and remind myself to stay calm.Listen to what he has to say before you speak, Lyric, my brain hisses.
I nod for him to continue.
“For what I said at Winter Formal—and really, for all the ways I’ve been a dick to you—especially about BeautyStarz and what you and Juniper have going on. It’s none of my business, and I know you work really hard, that you love makeup, and it’s not just some vapid hobby—it’s your dream.”
“Yeah, that was a low blow,” I say quietly. “You know I started with nothing when I decided to be a content creator. I earned each and every one of the follows and gigs.”
“I know that. I was trying to hurt you… like you hurt me.”
I put down my sandwich and start to pick my napkin apart.
“I didn’t realize until a couple days ago how badly I hurt you when I cheated,” I admit. “It’s been brought to my attention that I may have trouble, uh, accepting and receiving love. That I push people away.”
Jamison smiles sadly. “You don’t say?”
“I’m trying to be open here!” I say, throwing a piece of napkin in his face. “Don’t make this harder for me. I’m sorry too, for being so ruthless with your heart.”
“OK, OK,” Jamison says, resigned. “Yes, I have noticed that about you. Thank you for saying that. But hey, there’s still time to change, right?”
“Right.”
