When I finish reading the email, I’m bubbling with excitement. This issuchan incredible opportunity. If I got this internship, I’d be able to travel to Mexico City, something I’ve been dying to do since I was a kid.
And if I did well enough and Professor Martinez liked my work, I could turn this into a job after graduation.
I reply to her email, thanking her for thinking of me and asking for an application.
I tell myself not to get my hopes up. It’s clear from her email that getting this internship is a long shot.
But I can’t help but think about how amazing it would be. Especially since I can’t study abroad. This would be the next best thing.
“Briar. Hey.”
I look up and see Poppy and Anna standing in front of the reference desk.
“Hey, you two.” I smile, happy to see them. “What are you doing here?”
“We both had study sessions that wrapped up downstairs, so we thought we’d come say hi,” Anna says.
“How’s work going?” Poppy asks.
“It’s pretty quiet, which is nice because I’ve gotten a lot of homework done.”
“Do you wanna meet us at the diner for a late dinner after your shift?” Anna asks.
“Sure, that sounds nice.”
“Yay for a girls dinner.” She chuckles. “We’re just so used to you hanging out with Blake all the time.”
“Oh. Yeah. I actually haven’t seen him much.” I hate how sad I sound. I clear my throat. I try to smile, but my face feels tight.
An hour later, I’m sharing nachos with Anna and Poppy in a corner booth at the Mile High Diner.
I listen as the two of them vent about their classes.
“Everything okay?” Poppy asks me. “You’ve been pretty quiet lately.”
“Yeah, everything’s good. I’ve just been focused on classes.”
I catch Poppy and Anna studying me, a concerned look on their faces.
“You sure? You seem a little down,” Poppy says in a gentle tone.
“Is it because you haven’t seen Blake much?” Anna asks.
I think about telling them that everything is good, that Blake and I are just fine, but I feel bad lying to them. They’re being so kind to me.
I let out a breath. “Yeah, I guess I am feeling kind of down.”
“What happened?” Anna asks.
My shoulders slump. “Something happened with Blake and me.” I hesitate for a second. “We hooked up.”
They both gasp and start to smile, but I shake my head.
“Don’t get too excited. Things are weird now between us.”
“Wait, why?” Anna asks. “I thought hooking up with Blake was what you wanted.”
“It was…” I go quiet as I glance around to make sure that no one around us will overhear me.
