Page 14 of Luci’s Lullaby

I grab the first parking spot I see when I turn into the lot. I’m running late and can’t waste time looking for anything closer. I jerk my backpack out from the backseat, hurry from my car, and slam the door.

I slip my arms through the straps and run like a bat out of hell toward the business building on campus. I started running not long after we moved down here and haven’t stopped.

I pass through the grounds waving at friends as I go. “Hey, y’all!” They all smile, knowing I’m obviously trying to get to class on time. Rounding the home stretch, I see my classmates sitting in the clearing beside the classroom.

Slowing my pace, I come to a stop when I see one of my closest friends. “Hey, what’s going on?” I pant.

“Good to see you.” Emerson giggles. “Class was canceled until this evening.”

I drop to the ground in a pile, sliding my bag off my shoulder. “Freakin’ aye, are you kidding me?”

“Nope, sorry.” She half smiles. “I’m ready to get this last final done.”

“So what’s up?”

She sends rapid-fire texts before looking up at me. “Aksel’s new boss is an ass, but we get free tickets to all the local concerts, so there’s that.”

“How long does he have to work there before he can leave?”

“Two more months.” She rolls her eyes.

“It’s not that long, not like me where I’ll be stuck until the end of time before I can graduate.” I cross my eyes.

She giggles. “True, but hey, at least you’re halfway there.”

“At the ripe ol’ age of thirty.”

“Oh, hush. In case you haven’t heard—age is just a number, baby.” Emerson wiggles her brows.

“Not when you’re my age and have no job, aren’t married, and have no kids.”

She shakes her head. “I think you’re looking at this wrong. I see a purpose-driven woman who raised her brother while her mom was sick and helped to put him through college before she decided it was her turn.”

“Say it again. Tell me my happily-ever after is out there, Scarlet. That my very own Rhett is coming to sweep me off my feet and give me the vapors.” I fan myself as she clasps her hands, and we gaze into the sunset.

“He’s out there, Charlee Rae. Your Ashley is on his way, ridin’ a white horse. He’s comin’ to ravish your body and take your virtue,” saying in her best Southern slang.

“Dear Scarlet, how I wish you were right. My virtue needs to be ridden hard.” Her eyes go wide as we burst into a fit of laughter.

“I can’t believe you said that.” She slaps at me. “Get ahold of yourself!”

“But it’s so true, I need to get laid.”

She twists her mouth to the side. “Yeah, you do.”

“Oh my gosh!” My mouth hangs open.

“I tell ya what, you are coming with us tomorrow night.” She sits up on her knees.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“You don’t even know where we’re going.” She fists her hands on her side.

“I don’t need to know, I have to work until ten.”

Emerson waves her hand in front of me. “Hush, you’re coming with.”

“Do people say that anymore?”