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It took two seconds for my brain to kick into action. With a muttered I’ll be back to Mandy, I worked my way through the crowded room and over to Polly. She was leaning up against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and her lips pulled down into a scowl, looking like the world had fallen around her. I touched her gently on the arm and she jumped, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, hi, Trina.” She swallowed hard and tried to smile, but failed. “What’s up?”
“Can I talk to you for a second?”
My mind was whirling, running at a pace that was impossible to rein in. What I’d discovered today in the hospital had set everything into overdrive. If dressing Mason up and teaching him how to write love notes wasn’t going to get him back with Polly for his happily-ever-after, then I needed to intervene. No, it wasn’t part of the plan, but desperate times called for desperate measures. There was no other way. I had to make this happen.
“Yeah, I guess.” She looked over my shoulder at the party behind us. “What’s this about?”
“It’s about Mason.”
Her eyes darkened. “Okay...”
I took a deep breath and willed myself to pick the right words to convince Polly that I was for real. “I know that you guys broke up, but he’s been trying to change to get you back. You just have to give him a chance.”
Surprise lit up her face. “Seriously? I thought that the two of you were hooking up. You’re always together lately.”
I shook my head. “No, we’re just friends. Nothing more.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d said those words, but this was the first they’d tasted so bitter on my tongue. I ran a hand over my neck and tried to swallow it down. What was wrong with me?
“Are you sure, Trina?” Polly stared into my eyes, her own narrowing in concern. “We weren’t really very good for each other even when we were together. Is this really what Mason wants?”
“Honestly, he needs this more than ever. I think he’s too proud to say it, but he needs your support. He’s going through a rough time.”
Polly’s attitude shifted. Her arms dropped to her sides and she took a step closer to me, concern written in the lines of her frown. “Why? What’s going on? What’s happening?”
A dull pain started in my chest, like heartburn crawling its way up my throat. It felt like desperation. Maybe Mason couldn’t bring himself to tell Polly about his situation, but I was his friend. I was in charge of his happiness. He needed someone to care for him right now. He needed her.
“Let’s just say he’s waiting to hear back on some news from the doctor,” I said, wrapping my arms around my stomach. It hurt just to think about what that news could be.
She inhaled sharply, then leaned toward me. “Is it the cancer? Is it back?”
I hated to put her through this again. I got an instant flashback to seeing her after her dad’s funeral. It wasn’t fair. Life stunk sometimes. She and Mason both deserved a lifetime of good things after what had happened to them. Why did bad things happen to good people?
“He had a scan today,” I said in a low voice, looking around to make sure no one could hear us. “I’m sure he’ll know more soon.”
She bit her lower lip, her eyes shining with both surprise and worry. At the very least, it made me glad to see her react to the news. She still cared about Mason. It was a good sign. And when they got together again, she would take care of him.
That thought sent a dagger through my gut. Polly and Mason. It was meant to be. No matter what childish, selfish feelings I had of my own, I would be better than that. I would fight to see this plan through.
Project Happiness had taken a more serious turn than I ever could’ve expected. When it was my summer art camp at stake, it had been pressure enough. But now, it was everything.
Polly shifted her feet and ran her hands up and down her arms. With a nod of her head, she sniffed. “Okay, I’ll think about what you said. Thanks so much for telling me.”
“No problem. I just want to see you both happy.”
She smiled gratefully and moved past me to get back to the party. As I stood there, glued to the carpet, my eyes swept over the rest of the room. Audrey and Collin had rejoined Mandy in the living room and were all dancing together. They looked carefree and full of joy, just as any teenager should be.
The sight made me happy, in a pained sort of way. I wished I could join them and forget everything that was bad in the world, but these tentacles of worry and doubt had wrapped themselves tight around my heart and refused to let go.
I couldn’t stand there any longer. Not with these feelings that were so big I was afraid they’d consume me whole. I moved toward the back door and onto the impressive wrap-around porch that Savannah’s parents had built for their massive Victorian-style home. In the corner was a beautiful wooden swinging bench overlooking the dark and grassy field beyond it.
My breath came out in white puffs as I made my way to the swing. The night was eerily quiet, except for the muffled sounds of the party from th
e house. It seemed that the cold January weather had kept everyone else inside.
I sat down on the hard surface of the swing and kicked my feet off, finding a small bit of comfort in the rocking motion. Hugging my knees to my chest, I sat like that for about a minute before the soft pad of footsteps sounded behind me, a dark figure appearing beside the swing.
