“Maybe we can just grow old and marry each other," I suggest.
“Sorry, you’re not my type.” She pats my head three times.
I laugh at her. “Yeah, yeah… you’re not into blondes.”
“Are you just going to keep this man begging for your attention or can you reply so I have something to be giddy over?”
Looking back at his message, I honestly have no idea what to say. I’m not good at flirting in the slightest and it’s scary to admit my attraction to him. It’s scary to admit feelings toanyoneknowing in the back of my mind I’m always worried they’ll walk away.
Locking my phone and dropping it on my lap, I look to Wren. “How about we just?—”
“Absolutely not, Maisie.” Wren stands and hovers over me, arms crossed. “You were all mopey earlier about how you think you’re the same Maisie from high school. This is that change you needed. Whether or not you’re friends or more, this is that sign for a little pizzazz in your life.” Before I can even laugh at her for her TedTalk, she snatches my phone back from my hands and starts running.
“Wren!” I scream as I hop off the couch and chase her down. “Give that back!”
She’s running down the hall and next thing I know, she’s locking herself in the bathroom. “You’ll thank me when this is over!” she yells through the locked door.
Seconds too late, I’m standing in front of the bathroom banging on the door. “Wren Elizabeth! Open this door right now!”
“Just because you threaten me with my middle name, doesn’t mean I’m going to listen!” A muffled yell passes through the door and my knocking. I’m going to be here for a while.
I huff and put my back to the door and slide down until I’m sitting on the floor. “I can’t escape this reality, but please don’t do anything embarrassing."
I feellike I’ve been sitting by the door for hours before I finally hear the lock come loose and I fall backward as the door opens.
“Finally!”
“You’re welcome!” She giggles, handing me back my phone then stepping over me like she didn’t just hold my phone hostage.
“What did yousay?” Standing up, I stomp back into the living room where Wren meets my eyes with a mischievous smile.
“I’m so happy you asked.”
“I didn’t a?—”
“I asked Henry to help with the Fuck It List.” The smile on Wren’s face is devilish. “Now you don’t have to!”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Wren, you didn’t.”
“Maisie, I absolutely did.” Her smile is still beaming. “I’m here to help you, which is why I kidnapped your phone.”
“Sober Wren is going to be really sad when she wakes up in the morning to her hair cut off.” I squeal but deep down I’m happy she’s pushing me to do this, not that I’d tell her that. I need the change, I need the excitement. I can’t just sit aroundletting life pass by and missing opportunities out of fear of being left behind.
She puts her hands on her hips and gives me a knowing look. “Maisie, we both know you would never do that. We both also know I’d be hot with a buzz cut.”
My phone vibrates in my hand and as much as I don’t want to see what Wren has conspired, I also want to know what Henry said.
Henry
Give me a time and place and I’ll be there.
9
HENRY
