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Piolo tells Aprilette about his morning runs just as my phone pings.

Nora: Can’t go :/ Fam going to la this weekend for trip with Marcos :/

“Crap!” I mutter.

“What?” Aprilette raises an eyebrow.

“Crap, I have to go,” getting up, I add, “to the banyo.”

I ask Tita Aurora where the banyo is and follow her directions, heading up the stairs that spiral to the second floor. The bathroom is just as fancy as the rest of the house, the white tiles and bathtub shining as bright as the mirror and sink. All the towels, soaps, and shampoos are neatly organized. It looks like a display in a retail store. The rug feels furry beneath my feet, and I think I smell a flowery perfume. I almost wonder if they cleaned this right before guests arrived.

Just as I browse through bus schedules, Jase texts me a video of today’s gig at Blossoms. I plug in my Air Pods and watch Say It Proudly perform a setlist of summer night bops.

Me: Amazing as always!

Jase: Would have been better if you were there

I press my phone against my chest, his text right there where my heart beats.

Me: Wish I saw this up close, esp that cute guitarist ;)

Jase: A cute guitarist? I only know a cute photographer ;)

Me: Stop making me miss you

Jase: Hard to do when Im missing you

I giggle, wishing he were here, saying the words he’s texted in that cool voice I’ve grown to love. Sharing all his songs, the short and the extended, and asking me questions about my photographs. Or strumming his guitar in that magical way I can only describe as his.

Me: Okay cute guitarist who misses me, do you know the fastest bus from SF to Sunlight?

Jase: Cute photographer who misses me, you’ll have to wait a long time for a bus

Jase: Why do you want to know?

Me: Trying to get to blossoms so I won’t get disqualified. Stuck here so I need the earliest and fastest bus ride.

I may have lied and broken a law, but this next plan requires that I sneak out to a city that’s four-plus hours away.

Jase: I’ll drive u

Several times I reread the message, double-checking that I’m understanding right.

Me: Don’t worry about it!

Jase: No I’ll drive u

Me: You know how long the ride is, right?

Jase: Don’t care. I don’t want u to get disqualified.

Jase: This is ur passion

Over and over I read the last line, and more of Tita Maricel’s words echo.

You get to decide what makes you happy.

Me: Can u make it by 7am?