“Exactly.” Vivian nods. “Well, that’s today’s plan anyway. We’re going to work on all of it together.”
That does it. The room shifts. Shoulders drop. Eyes light up. They start talking over each other again, but this time it’s different. They’re excited, pulled in.
I stay near the doorway, watching it happen in real time. It’s like their supreme leader just walked in and flipped a switch.
Same group. Same noise. But where I’ve spent the last hour trying to get them to focus, she’s got them leaning in without even trying. I don’t know what she’s doing exactly, but it’s working in a way I can’t even begin to map out.
My thumb drags along the edge of my ring again, slowly, as I watch her move through the room.
She doesn’t take over the space, but somehow every single one of them orbits her anyway. Her instructions are clear and easy, but not loose so they can follow along. They’re alreadydigging into the beads and cords, chairs scraping, voices lifting again, but this time it’s focused.
“Okay, so you’re going to pick your colors first,” she says, moving between tables. “Think favorite colors, team colors, whatever you want.”
Hands go up. Questions fire. She answers every single one without missing a beat.
I stay where I am, just inside the doorway, like I’m observing a drill I haven’t been taught yet.
“And don’t worry if it’s not perfect, it doesn’t have to be,” she adds. “We’re just getting started.”
I nod without realizing it, like that applies to me, too, when her gaze flicks up and lands right on me.
“I’m sorry,” she says, bright, friendly. “Did you need an invitation?”
“What?” The word comes out before I can stop it, and I feel it immediately. No, Ty. That was too loud, too sharp a tone. I step back, shoulder brushing the wall, like I’ve been singled out under a spotlight I didn’t see coming.
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Ty,” she says, pointing toward a seat at the front table, right near where she’s been setting things up. “I also have a spot for us up here.”
“I…” I glance at the girls, at the table, at her. “I don’t know what?—”
“Well,” she cuts in gently, still smiling, “I don’t know about you and how you coach, but I like to do the same thing everyone else is doing. Right, girls?”
A chorus of nods and grins.
“You guys are making friendship bracelets, too?” one of them asks, eyes wide.
“Yes,” Vivian says, like it was always the plan. “The other day, Ty shared with me and Coach Emma his love of friendship bracelets, so in a way he inspired today’s activity. Come on up, Ty.”
There’s no real way out of it. Not without making it a thing, and I’ve already made enough of those today.
I push off the wall and walk over, aware of every step, every eye that might be on me, even if they’re not. The chair scrapes a little too loud as I pull it out and sit, shoulders tight, hands hovering like I’m waiting for instructions I should already understand.
There’s bracelet materials laid out in front of me. Cord. Beads. Colors I haven’t decided on because I didn’t know I’d be participating in arts and crafts today.
I look up at her. “Really?”
“Yes,” she says, already turning to help someone else before her attention snaps right back to me. “I need you to make a friendship bracelet. It’s the only way this is going to work. Thank you.”
I stare at her for a second, then down at the table, then back at her.
I thought she was a jewelry designer. Or someone who casually goes around kissing people when she needs to or it suits her. Turns out she’s also a general running an army. But let’s be real. From what I’ve seen as I’ve gotten to know her, I’d probably follow her anywhere.
A couple of the girls snicker when I sit down, like I’m the most entertaining thing they’ve seen all day. Which is fair considering I can barely fit at the table Vivian picked out for us.
Vivian doesn’t even look up as they laugh. “Alright,” she says, clapping her hands once lightly, just enough to pull them back in. “Everyone grab your cords. You’re going to start by choosing your colors and threading your beads. Take your time. There’s no rush.”
Chairs scrape. The room settles as everyone gets busy with their project. Vivian drops into the chair beside me like it was always where she was headed.
“Okay,” she says, already reaching for her cord. “We’re going to start simple.”
