“Don’t you dare apologize,” she says, her tone firm.
Not gonna lie, I kinda like it. Before I can think of other things she might say to me in that commanding voice, her face softens as she brushes her thumb along my jaw.
“Mickey, you never have to be anything but yourself around me. Never. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” I tell her honestly. That’s one of the things I love most about Viv. She takes me just the way I am.
“There are no expectations here, okay? You can talk my ear off or stay quiet all night. Whatever you need.” She’s still caressing the edge of my jaw and when she pulls away, I want to wrap my fingers around her wrist and put her hand back where it belongs. I don’t, but I want to.
“Well, there might be one expectation,” she tells me as she settles her head back on the pillow and picks up the remote.
“What’s that?” I ask, knowing I’ll do just about anything she asks. And when she shakes her head and lets her hair fan all over my lap, I know exactly what she wants.
I thread my fingers through the soft strands of her hair and start twisting pieces together. I’m not a trained professional like my twin sister, but I know Viv loves it when I play with her hair, and truthfully, I like it, too. There’s something calming about the repetitive motion, something soothing about the feel of her silky hair in my hands.
We stay like this as the rest of the show plays out. None of my problems have been solved. That damn letter is still in my drawer, and the Academic Affairs office is still closed for the day. I’m still a damn basket case. But here in the dim light of myroom, with Viv cuddled up next to me, I don’t feel like the wreck that I know I am. And that feels pretty damn good.
4
Viv
My phone buzzes with an SOS as I leave class. My first thought is that it’s Mickey, and he’s ready to tell me about what was bugging him last night, so I plop my ass down on a bench at the edge of campus and open my messages.
The alert isn’t from Mickey. It’s from Izzy, one of the girls on my cheer squad. I guess it’s not technically my squad any more, since the season ended in January, and I’m about to graduate. But that doesn’t really matter. These girls will always be my girls, and if they need me, then I’ll do whatever I can to help.
Izzy’s text is cryptic, which is no surprise. The girl loves suspense and it takes her ten minutes to tell a two-minute story.
Izzy: Code Red. Code Red.
Viv: I forgot my emergency color chart at home again. Dammit. Remind me what red is.
Izzy: Red is symbolic of blood, so it’s a code for cheaters because when I find Dawson, I’m going to beat him to a bloody pulp and then I’m going to claw his eyes out. Maybe I should start with his eyes?.
Izzy: He cheated on Maddie G and she’s devastated.
Sierra:Yeah. And he cheated on her with Lynley, and that makes it ten times worse.
Oof. It’s a lot to take in. And Sierra’s right. Being cheated on is bad. But being betrayed by your teammate? That’s worse, and I should know. It happened to me freshman year, and it sucks. There’s no way I can make things better for Maddie G right now. That will take time and a lot of self care and patience.
But there is one thing I can do.
Viv: Sleepover at my place at eight. I’ve got the snacks. Just bring pillows and blankets. We’ll make a pillow fort. Oh, and if she still has any of Dawson’s stuff, like a t-shirt, maybe, swipe it and bring it. We’ll burn it in a ceremonial rite of passage.
Pocketing my phone, I hang a left and walk toward the parking garage. I was going to kill an hour at Drip, but if I’m having an impromptu slumber party at my dorm, then I need to make a quick trip to the grocery store to stock up on treats.
And having a sleepover also means I’m staying at my own place tonight, which means I should probably give the sheets a wash. And there’s something else I should probably do, too.
Viv: Just checking in on you. I hope today is better and that you start feeling like yourself again. Being in a funk sucks.
Mickey: I’m gonna be okay. And thanks for the breakfast sandwich. <3 I was starving when I woke up.
Viv: Microwaved it myself. Just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m staying at my place tonight. One of my girls just found out her boyfriend’s been cheating on her, so we’rehaving a sleepover and burning his shit. I might even make cupcakes. Feel free to stop by.
Mickey: If you’re starting a fire, I probably shouldn’t be there.
Viv: We’re doing it in the courtyard. I might even just roast his shit on the grill. That’s safe, right?
Mickey: Why are you asking me?
