Evie had inherited mine and my mom’s curly blonde hair. It was clear we were all related somehow when we were out together.
As she stood up, the corners of my mouth lifted. “So, tomorrow, then? I just have to get Evie home from school, but if you want to come with us, we could head out right after?”
She let out a small, amused chuckle. “Are we really doing this?”
I nodded, taking a step back as I reached down to grab Evie’s hand. “Looks like we are, Ms. Honey.”
I turned down the hallway and heard her laugh, light and sweet. “See you tomorrow, Hot Brother.”
Evie looked up at me with a scrunched nose. “Ew.”
I grinned as we walked out of the school.
11
charlie
“We forgive you for ditching us,” Sara said as she held up a towel in front of the window in the door so that I could change out of my graphic shirt.
“She’s giving us tea for next week, of course we do.” Jennie grabbed the outfit I’d laid out on my desk.
I never actually saved Austin’s number, even though we’d looked it up, so I couldn’t ask him if he was serious about actually going out tonight, but worst-case scenario, if he ghosted me, then I’d be ready for happy hour with my new friends.
I was already wearing a satin maxi skirt, but instead of one of my graphic tees over it, I put a simple white tank. It was easy and simple, but if we were going to look at a lake, I wanted something casual.
“So, is this a date?” Maura asked as she grabbed a Twizzlers from inside my desk and plopped herself in a chair.
“A d-date? I-I hadn’t thought of it like that.” My cheeks felt hot as I tried to make sense of what it really was.
Yesterday, when I saw Evie waiting for her brother, he looked... different. His posture was tense. His brows were furrowed, and he was talking frantically into his phone. I caught a few words—“marriage” and “health insurance”—but that wasit. Maybe he was married? No. There was no way he’d ask me to join him for something off my bucket list if he was married.
“She just moved out here. I doubt she wants a big commitment,” Sara chimed in.
Commitment? That was further than a date. I couldn’t commit to him. I was in this limbo portion of my life where I was waiting to be summoned by my mom.
“N-n-n—” My phone rang, and I picked it from my desk, my brother’s name illuminating on the screen. I sighed, grateful for an excuse to quickly end this conversation. “Sorry. Do you guys mind if I get this? It’s my brother.”
“Oh. Hot single brother.” Jennie quirked a brow and then walked over and gave me a quick hug.
Sara and Maura followed.
“Give us all the details when you can,” Sara added.
“Text the group chat so we know you didn’t somehow get murdered or kidnapped.”
I laughed as I answered the call. “I will.” The girls filed out of the room as I said, “Hey, Jacob.”
“What is this about getting murdered and kidnapped?” Jacob’s voice was frantic, and I could practically see him pacing around his office.
“Stop,” I laughed. “Those were my new teacher friends.”
“New friends? That’s exciting, Char.”
I shrugged as I looked in the small mirror I had behind my desk. “Yeah. They’re cool.”
“You adjusting well, then?”
I shook my head. “Why? Are you somehow hoping I’m not so that I’d call you and come home crying?”
