BIANCA
Why is it that when I promise not to cry, it’s the first thing I do? I hug myself as Jamie rolls her suitcase to a stop in front of us, turning around to look at me. I place a bag at her feet; I filled it with every single thing I bought for her this past week because I have no idea if that care package is still at her house. Even though it feels like she just got here, it was time for Jamie to go back to Philly. She waits with an expectant look on her face and I hug her with a small smile.
“I’m gonna miss you so much, J.” She squeezes me in return, then pulls back, muttering the same thing. Josh rolls his eyes and goes to take a phone call as Mom looks at him, shaking her head. Ever since the other day at the beach, their relationship has been getting tense. He’s barely home and Mom has started to roll her eyes around him more.
“Have a good flight, and take care of yourself, Jamie girl,” Mom adds as they hug, and my eyes water that much more. Mom excuses herself, heading in the direction Josh stalked off in. Jamie’s phone dings and she looks down at it in confusion.
A small smile starts on her face. “Isabelle again?” I ask, since they’ve been texting regularly. She turns off the screen quickly, nodding, but I swear I see the nameChasebefore the screen goes black.
“Mhm, yeah.” I raise an eyebrow as the clear bandage over her butterfly tattoo peeks through the sleeve of her hoodie. I thought it was the cutest thing she could’ve picked, and that night was honestly the highlight of her trip here.
Mine too.
“So, have you talked to Liam again?” she asks, and I look at her in exasperation.
“You’re about to leave for who knows how long—to a place almost three thousand miles from here—and that’s what you ask me?” I say, crossing my arms while she barks out a laugh.
“You know me. I need to hear that my bestie is getting her guy. Besides, you’re myonlysource for guy info.” I roll my eyes at her, knowing that’s not true, and she bumps her shoulder with mine. “B, I hung around that man, and even though he’s a guy, and they do stupid stuff, I know he really, really likes you.” She stares at me. “And you really,reallylike him.” She raises an eyebrow, daring me to say otherwise.
“Chase seems to be on that track too. I saw those looks he was giving you,” I counter, and I swear a blush starts on her cheeks. We trade smiles, but hers fades when her phone buzzes, the notification being that she needs to get going as they’ll be boarding and she still needs to get through security.
I pull her into a tight hug. Reluctantly, she releases me, and I wave as she walks off. She rolls her suitcase behind her, wiping at her eyes.
I stay here, though.
I stay here until I see her walk through security. Mom hugs me from behind and I grab her hands for comfort. Tears prickle at the corner of my eyes, and I have no idea how long I stand there, but Josh comes back, sighing.
“Can we go now?” he asks, almost sounding like a petulant child, and I turn back to see Mom glaring at him.
Momglaringat Josh?
As we walk to the car, she lets out a tired huff. Her eyes slide to mine, pleading, before I blow a kiss to the last place Jamie had been. We get in, and Josh’s car hums as it comes to life. My air vent blasts cold air as Josh turns the volume for the radio down. My phone buzzes and my eyebrow raises, as it might be Jamie, but instead, it’s a confirmation that I’ll be volunteering at the shelter in a few days. I smile at that, ready to go hang out with those little guys. Mom’s hushed voice comes as she looks at Josh while he merges onto the freeway, heading back home. Their voices start to become less hushed, and I look up to see Mom waving her hands around.
“I saidno. Besides, we have to go to the Parkers’ event.” Mom sighs and nods. My heart starts to flutter at that, my emotions bouncing from sadness for Jamie and excitement for Liam. My middle ground being I get to see the one person I have to cheer me up in a couple of hours.
As I wrap my curling iron once more, I hold it for a bit and release it. The flawless piece of hair falls right into place, and I turn off the wand and start to fluff my hair a bit, hoping the hairstyle hides the clear bandage on my shoulder from my healing tattoo. I then slide my hands down my dress, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles.
Two hours later, I’m proud of myself for finishing with half an hour to spare. My makeup makes me look some years older, plus the hair makes my face more seductive. As a tribute to Jamie, I wear her gift with pride: the long, classy, deep-emerald dress with glittering crystals. They catch the light ever so slightly, complementing my skin tone nicely.
Tonight, I’m going to a fancy ball for William’s promotion where I’ll seehim: Liam Parker, the guy who causes almost all my emotions.The other night at the tattoo parlor ... I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s like our hearts want to be the way they always were, but our minds ...
We have so much to talk about.
I sigh. As much as I wish I could forget about the past, I can’t. That girl who cried almost every night for her best friend deserves answers. Besides, what’s to say he won’t be cold again? Shaking my head to rid myself of the damaging thoughts, a door shuts, and I look at mine in confusion. Curiously, I close it behind me as I hear voices. Walking down the hall, the voices cease.
Did they leave me here? Did Mom?
I walk a bit faster and see Mom standing there before she places her eyes on me. She smiles and I give her a shy one back. I notice Olivia and Josh aren’t with her, and looking through the window, his car is nowhere in sight. “Josh left early to get something, so he’ll meet us there,” she says, reaching for her keys. Without a reply from me, we walk out of the house and get into the car. Since this morning at the airport, Mom and I have been walking on eggshells around each other. Her face wears a solemn expression that she drops when I come around. “Bianca?”
“Yes, Mom?” I mumble, and we slow to a stop as she twirls her engagement ring, almost worriedly.
“Have you noticed Josh acting ... more stressed than usual?” Her fingers drum on the wheel and I roll my lips, figuring out how to answer.
“He’s been acting different from before,” I say, and she sighs before pulling into the valet line.
“Okay, so it isn’t just me. I mean, you’re my daughter, and I’m in no way using you as a therapist or anything, but ever since we’ve been hanging out with the Parkers ...” I nod, knowing how his mood, while sometimes not the best, tends to worsen around Ana and William, let alone Liam. “I mean, I don’t think I’ve done anything.”
I cut her off at that. “Mom no. It’s not your fault, he’s been a bit of a jerk for a bit now. I didn’t wanna say anything, but he’s gotten worse.”
