DONOVAN:I feel like this could bring me luck. I’m wearing it for the Maryland game.
You could wear my lucky boxers?
CARRIE:You are so triggering. Have a good game, I hope you lose!
DONOVAN:You could’ve kept the jersey, you know. Help cheer me on…
CARRIE:Dude—you just sent me a selfie of you wearing my bra. #TeamMaryland
I want to ask why she just ditched me this morning, but I don’t want to ruin things. At least this way, we’re actually talking—she usually hates messaging back and forth.
The conversation moves on, and we somehow end up talking about the book she’s reading. I don’t want this to end, but Lewis has knocked on my door three times now, telling me to move my sorry ass.
DONOVAN:I need to go, I’m gonna miss the bus to Maryland. See you next week?
CARRIE:Lemme get back to you on that one. That selfie may have scarred me for life… I need time to process the trauma.
Safe travels, Wolinski.
I’m just about to fire back a reply, when Lewis comes bursting into the room.
“Dude—the fuck?”
He stands at the foot of the bed staring at me in my new bra. He blinks once. Blinks twice.
“You wanna explain what the fuck is going on here?” He shakes his head from side to side. “Scratch that—I don’t wanna know. We’re going in ten. You might want to get your shit together.”
He shakes his head, before disappearing into the hall.
I had totally forgotten I was wearing it—but I’m pretty sure Lewis never will.
I slip the bra off and pack my bag, running through my own personal pep talk as I go. Every game is important. I need to focus and put everything else on hold, just for this weekend. Before I zip my bag, I reach for the bra. Is it stupid to think it couldactuallybe lucky? I pause.
And then, before I can overthink it, I shove it deep into one of the pockets.
I need all the luck I can get.
CARRIE’S GOING TO BE PISSED.Not only did we beat the Maryland guys—we crushed them from start to finish in one of our finest moments ever.
I’m at the arena waiting for Lewis. Leaning against the wall like this, I can’t help but think of her.
“Hey!”
I look to my left.
“Hey. How’s it going?”
There’s a girl standing there smiling at me, fiddling with her bracelet.
“I just wanted to say congrats on the game. It was amazing.”
I glance down at her “Team Maryland” tee and smirk to myself. It’d look good on Carrie, and I’m pretty sure if she were here, this would be her vibe.
The girl winks as she smooths down her top. “Don’t tell the others I said so, though.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
She shifts her weight from foot to foot. “You guys heading back today, or are you crashing here?”
