“Are you feeling okay, love?”
“I might be sick,” I tell her truthfully. My heart is still shaken, but I know this is for the best. Hearing Grant’s words and having Rosalie here with me gives me the support I need. “But I’ll be okay. I needed that.”
“I’m proud of you,” she whispers. The words become something else exclusive to us—just like the necklace resting over her chest. “You’re amazing, you know?”
“Only because I have you. I’m not me without you.”
My fingers find the pendant that holds a significance no one else will understand. Our promises reflect in the diamonds and visions of our future shimmer in its gold. I’m so captivated by it and her, that I almost miss what she says.
“No more of that. You’re your own person from today and onto forever. I’m just lucky enough to be next to you through it.”
A life without her support feels impossible now. While I’m scrabbling to get a hold on this new reality, she already knows what I need to hear.
I can’t help myself. Rubbing the L between my fingers, I say in a hushed voice, “I love you so much, Princess.”
“I love you too.” I bend down to meet her in a kiss. I’ll never get enough of pressing our love together in a kiss, but I crave it more tonight than ever before.
I’m not sure how long we stand there, promising our future in actions instead of words, before Billie groans, “Okay! We get it, love birds!”
When we pull apart, I realize our friends are staring. Heat returns to my face, and Rosie laughs into my chest. “Your brother just had a life-altering moment. He deserves some kisses.”
My sister mumbles an, “Ew,” under her breath while Derek comes behind me, knocking shoulders.
“Proud of you, man. I’m glad I got to be there to see that.” He holds his palm out. I clap our hands together before he slaps my back. I twitch to adjust my glasses, but don’t feel the overwhelming need to.
“Thanks,” I mumble instead. “Hopefully nothing bad will come out of it. My father can be a real asshole when he wants to. I don’t want everyone else to get caught up in the mess.”
“Don’t worry about any of that.” Liliana assures me.
“Yeah,” Derek adds on. “We got each other now. We’ll be okay.”
I have something new to ponder over.
There’s no more questioning who I am. I know I’m someone blessed to be loved by these people, who see the best and worst of me and extend their kindness regardless. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by a family like this. Developed together by friendship, not by blood, but just as rewarding.
The only question I have is where I’m going with these people.
thirty-two
ROSIE
They don’t letme see my exam scores, and I’m still sure they were less than satisfactory. Somehow, though, I’m back in the Xion Group hallway. The hands in my lap are red from squeezing and releasing and squeezing and releasing.
It’s quieter this time. A single person loiters in the hallway with me. Aside from the interviewers busy in the office to my right, there’s no one working on Sunday. I pity the three employees sitting behind that door. Not only do they have to clock in on a weekend, but their first task of the day is interviewing Jeremiah.
We ran into each other in the elevator. He might’ve said something under his breath. I’m not totally sure. His friend placed two seats away could be staring daggers into my temple, but I don’t feel the need to check.
Having your idol believe in you, tell you she’s faced the same trials, and remind you of your own power, changes your brain chemistry. How I interpret every interaction shifted once I replaced doubtful thoughts with echoes of my accomplishments.
Seeing the love of your life stand up to his emotionally abusive dad leaves you with some courage, too. If Locke can so bravely reshape his life, then I can reposition my mindset.
Others recognizing my talents is nice, sure, but my life will no longer depend on it. The only opinion that will hold the weight of my world, is my own. The people who care about me in my life taught me that lesson.
“I’m surprised you got this far.”
Jeremiah’s scratchy voice is just as surprising as his frame looming over me. I was so distracted thinking about how I’ve grown, I didn’t even notice he finished his interview.
He looks different. The angle of seeing him through my lashes may be to blame, but I think it’s more than that. Since Jeremiah’s words lost their power, his presence has too.
