Page 70 of The Beta Test

My face feels like it’s on fire. Jake clears his throat behind me as he ties off the end of the second braid.

“Uh… ready to finish the last practice problem?”

I nod too quickly. “Yep. Totally. Let’s do it.”

But as I settle back into place, Mom's smile is burned into the back of my eyelids. She looked at me the same way she did weeks ago when I swore Jake never had a crush on me. Except this time, the embarrassing truth nudging its way forward is that maybe…

Maybe my feelings for him have changed.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jenna: You’re bringing cookies, right?

I smile and shake my head. The Taylors are obsessed with cookies! It must be genetic.

Me: Of course.

I put the phone back down and use a mirror to check the back of my hair to make sure it looks like the video tutorial I’d been following. Thankfully, it does—it looks as much like Rapunzel’s braid as possible, while having an actual normal-human amount of hair. Now I need to add the flowers.

As I pluck one synthetic flower after another and carefully place them, my mind replays the last couple of weeks. Dad stayed overnight at home from Christmas Eve until New Year’s, and things felt close to how they used to be. Every now and then I sensed a little strain between Mom and him, but nothing derailed the holiday spirit. We did everything together—from driving around to look at Christmas lights, to watching all the typical holiday movies. It was hard not to hope that everything would go back to normal. It didn’t though. After all, Dad signed a lease and bought all that furniture. I don’t think the reality of it has quite hit Hunter. I’m not sure it has for me either.

Jenna and I have been inseparable since finals ended. Tonight, there’s a New Year’s Eve party at the Taylors’ house. Jenna claims it’s supposed to be small—only a few of her friends and a few of Jake’s so we can celebrate New Year without totally trashing their house. Their parents will be gone, but they laid down pretty strict rules this time.

Satisfied with my hair, I head back to my room to finish packing my purse. I check my school tablet to see if I have any new messages from Mr. Pi. We’ve been messaging constantly. Although we’ve talked mainly about school and our plans for Christmas (without giving too much personal information away), we’ve also been volleying jokes back and forth. It’s like an addiction. Our senses of humor seem to be totally aligned.

I laugh at the joke he’s left in our chat, and then quickly find one to send back. He immediately responds, but about something else.

31415: Any plans tonight?

80085 [Me]: Yes, actually. Going to a party. You?

31415: Same. And I can’t wait.

80085 [Me]: Why’s that?

31415: Because someone I really like will be there.

80085 [Me]: Like… like like?

31415: More than like like.

Whoa. We’ve never talked about things like that before. Is it weird to feel weird about this? We’re anonymous online friends who talk about snacks and memes, with the occasional life advice tossed in.

I’m being silly. I can just… ask questions. As a mildly interested third party. Sure, my romance with Braden fell apart, but that doesn’t mean I can’t support my friends (anonymous or not) finding love.

80085 [Me]: Does she know that?

31415: Probably not. But she should.

80085 [Me]: Why? If you haven’t told her, how is she supposed to know?

I’ve had my fill of people not being honest lately. Maybe that’s hypocritical of me, considering my own actions this year, but I’m starting this New Year off like a fresh planner. My eyes flick to my desk, where my beautiful planner for the new year sits, courtesy of a Christmas gift from Dad.

31415: She’s had a guy on her mind for a long time. I don’t think she’s noticed what’s right in front of her.

31415: But I want to change that. You’ve inspired me.

80085 [Me]: Wow. I have?