“Jake is bailing.” Kasey continues as Mia turns her phone around so I can see. “It’s just going to be us and your brother.”
“Thanks,” Mia replies.
“He’ll be here in fifteen minutes. So hurry the hell up.” Kasey taps on the door before she walks off.
I wait for the click of her heels to fade before I speak. “Mia—” I try to fight off the tears. “He didn’t want to see me.”
“You don’t know that.” She takes my hands in hers. “Didn’t he post on Instagram he has finals or something?”
My shoulders slump, and I let out a deep breath. “It’s only a couple hours, Mia.”
“It’s one night. I’m sure you’ll see him before we leave.” Mia tries to smooth the situation over.
“How could I have been so stupid?” The tears begin to fall. “I came up with this plan when I was a stupid little girl who had a crush.”
“You weren’t stupid.” Mia reaches for a tissue. “I was there, remember? I saw the way he was with you. He couldn’t allow himself to realize it then, but he’s older now. You’re older.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Come on, think about it.”
“What is there to think about? I’m not even sure what’s real anymore.” I rise up and offer my hand to Mia, pulling her up with me.
“Why did you pick this dress?” Mia spins me around to face the mirror. “You chose this look for a reason.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Humor me,” Mia urges.
“Because it’s Jake’s favorite color.”
“Why is your hair down?” She continues.
I roll my eyes. “Because when I wanted to cut it. Jake may have mentioned he liked it long.”
“He did,” Mia agrees. “And what about the kiss last year?”
“He kissed me, but it was an accident. He didn’t expect me to look up when I did,” I explain.
“Then why hasn’t he talked to you since?” She’s right. Even though I only saw Jake when he was visiting his family, he would still keep in touch by commenting on my posts.
“Maybe he was busy with school or work—”
“Or maybe you made him feel something he wasn’t prepared to feel.”
No matter how many ways she tries to twist the situation, Jake canceled for a reason—and that reason could be me.
“Guys,” Kasey pounds on the door, “Colton is here. Let’s go.”
“You go ahead.” I circle my face with my finger. “I just need to fix this.”
“Okay. Don’t take too long.” Mia twists the handle and runs right into Kasey.
She peeks her head in. “Make sure you turn on the fan. It stinks in here.”
“Whatever.” Mia pulls her back out. “Give the girl some privacy, will you?”
“Is that what you gave her while she had the shits?” Kacey fires back as they walk to the front room.