I press my lips together as the silence stretches between us. It kind of reminds me of the quiet before a tornado hits. There is a stillness in the air that’s usually followed by destruction.
Three. Two. On?—
“What?”
“How?”
“When?”
“Are you serious?”
I lift my hands in the air, willing them to calm down, as they continue throwing questions at me left and right. “You know, it would help if you’d let me speak if you want to get some answers.”
“Well, will you hurry up and spill the tea already?” Amy demands, shaking her head. “Wait, you’re not changing your mind, are you?”
“What?” My brows pull together in confusion. “Why would I change my mind?”
“I don’t know. It just feels too good to be true.”
Seriously, these girls.
“No.” I give her a pointed look. “I’m not lying. We broke up a few days ago. Things have just… not been working out.”
Amy snorts. “That’s one way of putting it. But, hey, at least you figured it out after a year of us pointing it out, so I guess there is that.”
Emily slaps her over the head. “Seriously, Amy?”
“What?” Amy protests, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m speaking the truth. Nobody liked that guy.”
“He wasn’t that bad,” Emily defends.
“Just like a tick isn’t bad, and yet nobody wants it.”
Em glares at Amy before shifting her attention to me, a small, understanding smile playing on her lips. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. It’s just been a lot, that’s all. But it’s for the best, really.”
“You can say that again,” Amy mutters under her breath. She quickly turns to Em and points her finger at her before she can hit her again. “You know I’m right. Even you didn’t like him.”
Emily’s cheeks turn pink. “Well, it’s n-not…”
“You told me the last time we saw him he gives you the creeps!”
“It doesn’t even matter,” I sigh, tired of this discussion. “We broke up. The end. Nobody is telling me to stay away from home; I’ve just had a lot on my plate. Now, can we talk about something else, please? Do you two want to grab coffee, or do you need to go?”
The two of them exchange a silent look, but neither of them brings the topic of Damien back up, which I’m grateful for. Instead, they chat about school, their activities, and homecoming as we stop at the Reading Nook and grab our drinks. We’re barely there a few minutes when a group of their friends enters the café. They chat and giggle as they give their friends a peek at the dresses they just bought.
Becky comes out of the kitchen, her gaze going to the girls who’ve taken over the café, a wistful smile playing on her lips as she shifts her attention to me.
“Ever miss these days?”
I look at my sisters, who seem to be immersed in whichever topic they’re discussing with their friends.
“Not really. You?”
“Some days, but life’s good now as well.”
I can see how that might be the case. Some people peaked in high school and live their lives stuck in time; others grow up and build their lives, their futures. Becky’s been flourishing these past few years. From getting back together with her high school sweetheart, whom she married, having a baby, and running a successful business.
