I do NOT snore.
But yes to Pilates. Also, thank you. For last night. For everything.
The blue heart felt significant. We'd been texting for weeks, but emojis always felt loaded with meaning. A blue heart wasn't red, wasn't an “I love you”, but it was something. An acknowledgment that this thing between us was more than friendship.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Derek
You absolutely snore. I have a recording to prove it.
You DO NOT.
Derek
I do. But I'll never share it because I'm a gentleman. Also, because you'd murder me.
Correct on both counts.
Derek
See you later. And Thorn? Last night meant a lot to me, too.
I clutched my phone to my chest, that stupid smile still plastered across my face. Across the room, Daisy's bed remained empty, her overnight bag gone from its usual spot by her desk.
The smile faded slightly. I needed to fix things with her. Derek was right, she was probably projecting her anxiety about Jeremy onto me. But that didn't mean her words hadn't landed, hadn't pointed out real flaws in how I approached friendships.
I pulled up our text thread, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. What did you even say after a fight like that? Sorry, I suck at texting. Sorry, I’m self-absorbed. Sorry, I’m not the friend you deserve.
In the end, I went simple.
Hey. I know you're probably still at Jeremy's, but can we talk when you get back? I'm sorry about yesterday. You made some good points, and I want to do better.
I hit send before I could second-guess it, then immediately opened my conversation with Nova.
Thanks for letting me crash girls' night yesterday. I had fun painting mugs (even though mine looks like a 5-year-old did it). Want to grab coffee this week?
And then a message to Ivy.
Are you free for a study session sometime? I'm drowning in Calc and could use the company (and maybe some help )
There. Three texts. Three friends. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
My phone buzzed almost immediately with a text from Nova.
Nova
OMG who are you and what have you done with Rosalie?
Yes to coffee! Friday after my Drama class? Rise and Caffeinate at 3?
Perfect. See you then.
Nova
Also, your mug was adorable. Very abstract. Very, “I’m a dancer, not a painter.” I loved it.
I laughed despite myself. That was pure Nova, brutally honest but somehow still kind.
