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“Six months ago. Your sister?”
“Four.”
She reaches for her fries and I continue eating, wondering why I suddenly feel so different. It’s then that I realize the twisting in my chest, the sharp clutch I feel something has had on my heart since I learned my best friend had killed himself, it’s lessened a little. Still there, but not quite as tight, not quite as painful. I know I have this strange, talkative, smiling girl to thank for it.
“What?” she asks low. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You were the very last thing I expected today,” I admit.
“In a good way?”
“In a great way.”
We both finish our food, and she drives out of the lot. Sometime while we were eating, it had stopped raining. Although it’s still much too dark for one o’clock, the sun is peeking through the grey clouds, and that’s how this day is beginning to feel. Light trying to peek through the darkness. I haven’t really wanted to let any light in until this moment. I was unsure if I deserved any light until this moment.
We arrive back at the school parking lot, and Jolie pulls beside the only car left here. Although I definitely wasn’t leaving her car without giving her my number, she’s clearly not taking any chances, holding her phone out to me as soon as she brakes. I chuckle as I take it from her and put my name and number in.
“Do I have to wait until our next group meeting to see you?” she asks.
“I think I can squeeze you in before then.”
She raises her brows. “You honor me, sir.”
I begin to open the door, but her voice stops me.
“Oh, here, your hoodie,” she says.
“Keep it,” I tell her as I step out of the car. “It’ll ensure you actually call me.”
“You liar.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You said you couldn’t flirt.”
“I can’t. Trust me.”
“We’ll have to work on your skills. Combine group with a flirting workshop.”
“Let’s do it. Goodbye, Jolie.”
“Bye, Elijah.”
I close the door and walk to my car. Truth is I do want my hoodie back, but I left it with her, hoping she wears it and the scent that filled her car entrenches itself in the fibers of it. I start my car, and Jolie waves before she pulls off. Why does it feel so wrong to watch her go? I’m about to put the car in drive when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Unknown: Thank you for lunch. And for protecting me from the rain, in more ways than one.
I smile, something that has begun to feel so foreign on my face in these last few months.
Me: Thank you for making the sun peek through the clouds.
I pull off wondering what the hell is going on and why does it feel like it’s going to change everything?
