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“I made popcorn!” Ellie says as she comes back into the small living space.
“I thought I smelled a little slice of heaven.” I stoop to dig for her bottle opener in the third drawer beside her sink.
It’s a well-choreographed dance Ellie and I practiced every weekend of freshman year, and I fall into the routine easily, opening the wine as Ellie makes us a giant bowl of shared popcorn.
“Any thoughts on what movie we should put on and ignore?” she asks as she tosses the snack, mixing in the salt.
“The Breakfast Club?” I suggest.
“A classic,” she agrees with a grin. “I’ll get it set up. You go get changed into your pj’s. I’m already dressed for the evening, and you’re making me feel frumpy.”
I laugh as I glance down at my white linen summer dress topped with a baby-blue cardigan. “Hardly, but I never say no to getting comfy.”
Setting our glasses of wine on the coffee table, I head into the bedroom to change. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Ellie’s bedroom, and it’s slightly different than her more girly room, I recall.
I can see subtle signs of Lucca’s presence here. Nothing big, but I recognize one of his ball caps hanging from the top corner of her desk chair. Two toothbrushes sit in a holder in the bathroom.
It makes me happy for her and, at the same time, sad for me because his presence, combined with Cassio’s aversion to me, has created a distance between Ellie and me that had never been there before.
Not that I can blame her. Lucca’s a sweetheart, funny, handsome, and smart. A catch in every sense of the word and a perfect fit for Ellie’s hopeless romantic personality. I’m sincerely happy that my friend has found someone so right for her. It’s not her fault that I got left behind.
I slip into my coastal-striped pajama shorts and a light-weight white T-shirt, then pull my hair into a loose knot before padding back down the hall to find Ellie curled up on the couch. Her smile is girly with excitement, and she bounces with the same enthusiasm as a kid on Christmas.
“We haven’t done this in so long! I’m glad you could come over,” she gushes as I settle onto the couch facing away from the night-darkened windows.
“Me too! It’s a good thing we have a good chunk of classes together because Lucca’s stolen all your free time from me,” I tease.
Ellie’s face shifts from happy to hurt and into concern before flashing into a sad grin. “I know. I’ve been a terrible friend, haven’t I? You were so sweet, setting up an opportunity for me to meet Lucca, and I ended up just falling head over heels for him.”
Her lips twist into apologetic concern. “Everything that was supposed to happen for you and Cassio happened for Lucca and me instead, didn’t it?”
Now it’s my turn to feel bad. “Oh, please. I was just teasing you,” I reassure her, though she still seems sad.
“I do feel bad that I spend so much time with Lucca now. I miss this,” she says, gesturing between us. “And I’m sure Cassio’s newfound interest has only made it worse for you.”
I wave off the sadness lingering in her smile. “Really. It’s fine. I understand, and I’m happy for you. So stop worrying about it, okay?”
Ellie seems reticent, but her relief is visible as she releases a breathy “Okay.”
A soft breeze whispers along the back of my neck, and I glance behind me to find the window above her fire escape wide open.
Ellie giggles. “Remember that time we had a water balloon fight across the courtyard with those guys on the same level as me in the neighboring building?”
“Oh my god, yes! They got so pissed when one accidentally made one through their open window.” I laugh and settle back on the couch.
“Right? But that’s because they thought they were being so smart by staying inside and launching balloons through the windows. Everyone knows you’re supposed to sacrifice dryness, stand on the fire escape, and defend your house.” Ellie rolls her eyes as if it’s the most obvious strategy in the world.
I chuckle, recalling the look on the guys’ faces when a bright-pink balloon sailed through their window and exploded across their couch. The game ended pretty quickly after that.
Then another breeze whispers across my skin, and goosebumps rise in its wake. “But aren’t you chilly? I feel like fall is creeping in early this year.”
“I think it’s nice,” Ellie insists. “Letting in some fresh air.”
I snort. “Yes, fresh Chicago city air,” I tease.
“You want a blanket?” she offers.
“Yes, please.”
