I smile and look out the window. “I talked to my parents, and it turns out that they never sold Ethan’s place, and it’s paid off. They said I could live there, which means I can afford to keep paying half of our place.”
“Oh my God, woman! Is this why you were nervous to tell me?”
“A little,” I say sheepishly.
She gives me this look that tells me something is up her sleeve. “It’s actually good timing because Talia and I have been talking about moving in together. Her lease is up in January, so I was going to talk to you about her moving in with us.”
“That’s great, Liv! Yes, she can definitely move in!” I’m genuinely excited about this next step in Liv and Talia’s relationship. Especially with some of the turmoil they’ve been navigating with Talia’s family.
“So,” her tone loses its prior excitement, “when are you thinking about moving back to Charleston?” Her mouth is drawn downwards in a slight frown, and she slumps into her seat. I know she’ll miss seeing me every day just as much as I’ll miss her.
“I think I’ll give notice at work in December and then have my last day be around mid-January. I know it's more notice than anyone needs to give.” I shrug and fiddle with my fingers in my lap. “I want to give them as much time as I can so they can work out the transition and possibly find my replacement. That should also give me enough time to wrap some things up.”
“You’re gonna move into Ethan’s place?”
“I guess so. It’ll be better than living with my parents.” I grimace at the thought of navigating whatever is going on between Sam and me with my parents always around. “I think it might be a little weird.” I sigh audibly. “You know, they kept all his furniture and clothes. I don’t know if I can move into his place with all his stuff still there. And you want to know what’s even weirder?”
She looks at me, raising an eyebrow, and nods her head for me to continue.
“Well, I decided to work at my dad’s firm.” I scrunch up my face in mock disgust.
Liv just laughs.
Fucking. Laughs.
Playfully, I push her arm. “Shut up. I hate you.”
“Bitch, you fuckingloveme.” She flips her hair over her shoulder in jest. I smile at her dramatic nature.
“I do love you. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you being at my beck and call. What am I going to do without your sass? Who's gonna make me blueberry waffles when I’m sad? Or watchGilmore Girlsreruns with me?”
“You really are going to be helpless without me. Good luck with that.” Her laugh is contagious.
Seventeen Years Old
I’m nervous as I walk out on stage. I’ve practiced this song more times than I can count, but not in front of this many people.
I peek out into the stands, trying to find my parents. Ethan is in Columbia, attending his first year at the University of South Carolina. This is the first performance he won’t be at, and the thought makes me sad. There are too many people, and I can’t see where my parents are sitting.
I’m singing a solo in a regional competition with other high school students. I choseCastle on a CloudfromLes Misérables. It’s one of my favorite songs, and I know I’m ready.
When it’s my turn, I stand in the middle of the stage, waiting for them to open the curtains. When they finally do, I take a deep breath and hit every note.
When the song is over, I know I did my best. I don’t know if it’s good enough to win one of the soloist awards, but I won’t let that get me down.
Once the curtain closes, I walk off the stage and hurry to find my parents as the event sponsors set up for the next performance.
It takes a couple of minutes to check in with my high school choir director; my parents stand off to the side, waiting for me. They’re beaming at me as they wait for me to finish up with the choir director.
I feel the sting of unshed tears as I see the figure towering over Mom’s shoulder: Ethan.
I rush over to them with a huge grin plastered on my face. “Ethan! You made it!” I hug him, and he squeezes me tight with one arm.
“Of course I did. I couldn’t miss my baby sister’s performance.” He steps back and hands me a bouquet of pink tulips, my favorite.
“For me?”
He shakes his head. “You were amazing, kid. I knew you could sing, but damn. You really did great.” His smile warms my heart.
