I turn and see Elle and Madison pushing through the crowd toward us. Guilt hits me right in the stomach when I see them. I feel like I could cry. Immediately, Elle pulls me into a hug.
“Lily!”
“Hey,” I mutter back, smiling.
Madison pulls me into a hug as Elle hugs Zinnia.
“Oh my god, Lily. Where have you been? I’ve been calling and texting and––”
“I know,” I reply. “I’m so sorry. It’s been…”
Madison says, “You don’t have to explain. We saw it on the news.”
Both their eyes drop to my arms. I’m wearing a long sleeve, so they wouldn’t know which one it was.
“I’m sorry I ghosted you. I should have called. I just... everything was so chaotic, and I didn’t know how to explain and—” I stop,looking at Zinnia. Seeing her here with me makes my breathing come back easily. “Do you forgive me?”
Elle’s expression softens. “Of course, we forgive you. Are you crazy? Oh my god.”
Madison steps forward. “So happy you’re okay, Lily. We were so worried.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Elle glances around, makes sure no one’s listening too closely. “Is your dad... I mean, after what happened...”
Zinnia answers before I can. “He’s going to rot in prison.”
My head whips toward her. She says it so matter-of-factly. So certain with no emotion. For a moment, I’m shocked. I didn’t know it was so easy for her. A part of me still wishes none of this happened.
Elle and Madison both look stunned too as they look at her.
I don’t disagree with her because she’s right.
“So you’re okay?” Madison asks carefully. “Really okay?”
I nod and feel tears prick my eyes.
Madison hugs me. Elle joins in. Then Zinnia wraps her arms around my waist.
The warmth spreads through my chest and fills up all the cold spaces.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I’m okay.”
We pull apart and find seats together. Zinnia sits between me and Elle. We start catching up on everything. Elle is good at that. It’s like no time has passed, and she’s telling me everything that I’ve missed. I find myself laughing and engaging, and it feels so good to feel like myself for a second.
Elle says, “Wait, where are you guys living if your dad’s incarcerated?”
I’m glad she used a big word for that. The other terms make me flinch, probably because of my mom. Zinnia just watches the screen.
“Uh––I’m staying with Jax and Zeff.”
“So,” Madison says, leaning forward with curious eyes. “You’re living with hockey players now?”
I feel my face heat. “Only two, and it’s temporary until I figure things out. I just needed to heal first.”
“Temporary,” Elle repeats, but she doesn’t sound convinced.
“It is.”
