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* * *
Scarlett’s phonesuddenly rang with a shrill tone, jolting us from our conversation. “Mommy” flashes across her screen.
“Hello,” she greeted, but soon the color drains from her face, her eyes widening in fear.
Scarlett’s voice trembled as she spoke into the phone, “What? What happened? Is he okay?” Her grip on the phone tightened, and I could see the fear in her eyes. “Joey was in an accident,” she mouthed to me.
I raised my brows. “What hospital is he heading to?” I asked.
She repeated that question to her mom.
“The one across town,” she explained.
“Let’s go.”
Without a second thought, we abandoned our half-drunk coffees and rushed to her car. As we sped through the streets, the world outside became a blurry, chaotic mess. Fear gripped our hearts, and the minutes seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Finally, we arrived at the hospital, our footsteps echoing through the sterile, white hallways. We found Joseph’s room, and there he was. Life hung in the balance, like a fragile thread ready to snap.
The doctor, dressed in a sterile white coat, delivered the devastating news with a solemn expression. Joseph hadn’t made it. Scarlett collapsed into a nearby chair, tears streaming down her face. I held her hand tightly, unable to find the words to comfort her.
We clung to each other. It was a moment when life changed forever, a reality that weighed heavily on our hearts.
* * *
We knewwe would always carry the weight of that sorrow with us, a constant reminder of the day when the world turned gray and our lives were irrevocably altered. In the midst of our grief, we held onto each other, finding strength in our friendship as we navigated the overwhelming sadness that had become an indelible part of our lives. “Your brother would be incredibly proud of the woman you’ve blossomed into today,” I say.
“Do you really think so?” she asks.
“I don’t just think so, I know so.” I give her a hug, “Now go finish your dishes.”
“Uh, last time I checked, I’m your boss.”
“But you’re also my closest friend, and you care about me.” I pout.
She responds with an exaggerated eye roll, then playfully extends her middle finger before striding into the kitchen.
* * *
I nestleinto the plush couch, drawn into the captivating world of the vampire movie we are watching. Scarlett sits beside me, her eyes glued to the screen as we dissect every scene, craving more romance and fewer mindless conversations between the characters.
The room reverberates with our laughter, filling the air with contagious energy. “Jacob and Bella deserve a love story that ignites hearts,” I say, my voice filled with passion and frustration at the missed opportunities.
Scarlett’s gaze shifts from the screen to me, and her lips curl into a knowing smile. “Alright, Hailey, spill the tea. What’s the deal with Eric? That mysterious man who’s been gracing the café with his presence. I can tell there’s more to it.”
I wave off her inquiry, trying to play it cool. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just a couple of chance encounters. I hardly know him.”
A playful glint dances in Scarlett’s eyes as she leans in and says in a flirtatious voice, “Honey, trust me. He wants more than just a friendly dinner. You’ve caught his eye.”
“Oh, you heard him asking?” I chuckle, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within me. “Well, we’ll see about that, but right now, I’m not sure if I’m ready for a relationship.”
Scarlett gently rests a hand on my arm. “Sometimes, a little distraction can be just what you need. Give it a chance. It might surprise you.”
My mind is clouded with doubts, yet, the allure of the unknown tugs at my heartstrings. We turn our attention back to the TV, surrendering to the mesmerizing vampire drama until exhaustion consumes us. We find comfort on my couch, but I can’t get what Scarlett said out of my mind.
Eventually, I doze off to thoughts of how interesting it would be to go out with Eric.
CHAPTERFOUR
