Page 86 of Bless My Body

mentally high-five my best friend before sticking my credit card into the card reader. With all the

discounts, the dress is surprisingly budget-friendly. Still more than I should be spending when I’m

literally living off loans right now, but oh well. You only live once, I guess.

Stella pays for her things with the credit card her parents pay for. I’m so glad her parents can do

that for her, especially with everything she’s been through. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little

jealous. My parents send me $100 a month for food, but that’s all they can afford right now. So, I keep

swiping my credit card, adding more debt to my name.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to pay it off quickly once I get a job. But I guess that requires me to

actually know what I want to do with my life. Which I still don’t, and I’m graduating next month.

I sigh. Stella turns from the register and links her arm in mine.

“Turn that frown upside down. We just got you a killer dress at a killer price,” she says as we

walk out of the store.

I hadn’t realized I was frowning, but I guess that makes sense since I always get a little frustrated

thinking about what comes next in life.

I force a smile on my face and think about how excited I am to wear my new dress, even if it is to

an event where I’m basically being paraded around like a peacock. But Ezra needs me, so I’m going

to do it because… what are friends for?

Chapter 18

Celine

“D oes Celine know you’re coming?” I hear Stella’s voice float up from downstairs. I’ve been

locked in my room all morning studying for a stupid exam on Monday. True to form, I waited

until the last possible second to study because that’s just how I am. I was supposed to meet Ezra this

morning in our designated halfway spot for a quick hook-up, but I had to cancel last minute. I haven’t

been doing great in this class, so I have to pass this exam to pass the class.

I don’t hear anyone respond to Stella’s question, and I definitely wasn’t expecting anyone. I think

about getting out of my bed to see who it is, but I’m surrounded by carefully placed notecards and

pieces of paper that I don’t want to move.

Besides, if someone is here to see me, they’re obviously going to come up here anyway. So, I

keep my eyes on the door.

I’m waiting for a knock, but one doesn’t come. Instead, Ezra swings the door open and walks right