Morganand I have been downstairs eating lunch in the cafeteria, waiting for Miles to get back with Hudson’s smoothie while Nate keeps Hudson company upstairs. I’ve been dying to know how Morgan and Hudson suddenly became a thing since I saw them holding hands, but she hasn’t said anything yet. I’m starting to think I’m just going to have to flat out ask her, but I don’t want to pry.
I look down at my phone and check the time. Miles has been gone for an hour now and I’m getting concerned. Maybe there was a long line? I’ll just text him and see where he is.
Me: Are you almost back yet? I miss you!
Morgan has been talking this whole time, and I haven’t been paying her any attention. I don’t think she’s noticed though, so I just nod my head, hoping I don’t make it too obvious. When she stops talking, I decide I’ll just ask her about her and Hudson.
“So…you and Hudson? What’s going on there?”
She shoves a french fry in her mouth and looks away, trying to avoid the question. I feel weird trying to pry but I’m so excited for her, I just want to know how everything happened.
“Oh c’mon, Mor. Just tell me. You know I’m not judging you. I actually think you guys are perfect for each other and would make a super cute couple.”
This seems to shock her. “Really? You think so?”
It's true, I love Morgan, and I think she deserves just as much happiness as I feel with Miles. If I could wish this type of love on anyone, it would absolutely be her.
“I do. Does he make you happy?”
She grins, and I can see her mind drifting somewhere else. “He does.”
“Then that’s all that matters, babe! Who cares what everyone else thinks or has to say about it? You shouldn’t be ashamed about who you like. Y’all should just go for it.”
She smiles a real genuine smile before bringing me in for an unexpected tight hug I welcome.
“Thanks, Maddie. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course! What are friends for?”
She pulls me away from our embrace and I immediately grab my phone, checking to see if Miles has texted back yet, but there’s no notification. I scroll back to our message thread and find he hasn’t even opened the text yet.
What the hell is going on?
“Hey, are you okay?”
I look back up at Morgan, and the concern written across her face makes something in my chest tighten. I appreciate that she even notices something is wrong.
“It’s just…” I glance back down at my phone, my fingers tightening around it. “It’s been a while since Miles left, and I texted him to see if he’s almost back, but he hasn’t answered. He hasn’t even opened the message.”
I try to laugh it off, but it comes out forced. “I know it sounds stupid, but it’s just not like him. He always answers me. Even ifhe’s busy, he always finds a way to let me know he’s okay. I just have this feeling that something is wrong.”
Morgan nods slowly, but there’s something about the way she does it that makes my stomach twist. She looks like she’s trying to decide whether or not she should say something, and the hesitation alone is enough to send my anxiety spiraling.
“What?” I ask, my voice becoming more urgent. “What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” She shakes her head quickly, looking away from me. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Morgan.” I lean forward, watching her carefully. “If you know something, please just tell me.”
She looks back at me, and the worry in her eyes makes my chest tighten even more. For a second, she doesn’t say anything, and I already know whatever she’s about to tell me is something I’m not going to like.
“I lied to you when I said nothing happened between me and Miles.”
I don’t think I fully understand what she means, until I do, and then suddenly everything inside me goes cold.
She lied to me?
I hate this feeling. The feeling you get when someone you thought you knew suddenly becomes someone else entirely. The feeling of realizing there were pieces of the truth hidden from you while you were standing there believing everything was fine.
