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And just like that, I’m swept up in Callie’s whirlwind.
* * *
We burst into the nail salon, a bell tinkling above us. The sharp scent of polish and acetone hits me, grounding me in the here and now. Callie practically bounces on the balls of her feet, steering us toward our usual spot.
“Okay, so guess what happened this morning?” she blurts before her butt even hits the chair. Her honey-brown eyes are sparkling with secrets.
“Tell me,” I urge, settling next to her, my curiosity piqued despite myself.
“This guy, this absolutely cute guy—like, magazine-model cute—he bought my coffee out of nowhere. And then he asked me out!” Her hands flutter like excited birds, almost smacking the nail technician who approaches with a smile.
“Wow, that’s…that’s great, Cal.” The words feel genuine because they are. She’s glowing, and part of me warms just watching her.
“Yup! Can you believe it?” She wiggles her fingers, deciding on a color. Her choice is bold, vibrant—a reflection of the high note in her life.
“Sounds like a fairy tale,” I say, choosing a more subdued shade for my own nails.
The nail technician paints a streak of soft pink over my nails, the color almost translucent. I watch the brush glide, each stroke smooth and sure. Callie’s voice is a warm hum in the background, her laughter a melody of pure joy.
“Then he says, ‘How about tomorrow?’” She’s practically vibrating with excitement, recounting each detail like it’s precious.
“Tomorrow?” My voice catches, a twinge in my chest. “That’s fast.”
“Life’s too short for waiting, right?” she says, eyes alight.
I nod, smile. I’m happy for her, I am. But her story’s simplicity highlights my own chaos. One guy, one date. Meanwhile, I’m tangled up with three—Conrad, Levi, Grayson. Each of them different, pulling me in separate directions.
“Hey.” Callie’s voice cuts through my thoughts, her hand warm on mine, pausing the technician. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been…quiet.”
“Quiet?” I feign ignorance, but my cheeks heat up under her gaze.
“Come on, Brielle. Spill.” Her eyes are piercing, insistent.
A sigh escapes me. The truth bubbles up, ready or not. “I think I’m falling for the professors, Callie. All of them.” The words feel heavy, full of a strange gravity as they hang between us.
“Wow.” She blinks, then her expression softens. “That’s…intense. But kind of hot too?”
“Intense, yeah.” My laugh is more of a breath, a release of tension. “I just don’t know what it means. For my future, you know?”
“Who says it has to mean anything right now?” Callie’s hand squeezes mine before releasing it to the technician again. “Sometimes, Brielle, you just gotta ride the wave.”
“Easy for you to say,” I mutter, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips. Her carefree spirit is infectious—even if figuring out my heart feels like navigating a maze without a map.
“Conrad’s class is taking a field trip next week,” I say, breaking the silence that had settled between us.
“Really?” Callie perks up, her eyes lighting up with mischief. “You should totally go.”
I bite my lip. “Yeah, it could be…nice.”
“Nice? Girl, this is your chance!” Callie grabs my hand, making me smudge a nail. We both wince, but then she’s grinning again. “To figure things out. And who knows, maybe have some unexpected fun?”
“Fun,” I echo, the word rolling off my tongue like something foreign yet enticing.
Callie hops out of her seat as the technician finishes, and I follow suit, the chair squeaking behind me. She’s already at the door, bursting with an energy that seems to pull me along.
“Let’s hit the stores,” she declares, striding down the sidewalk with purpose. “You need to look drop-dead gorgeous for this field trip. And any ‘accidental’ run-ins with the other professors.”
“Shopping isn’t really my thing,” I protest half-heartedly, knowing it’s futile.
