Page 51 of When Hearts Collide

Millie

How do you know I’m in the rooftop garden?

Taylor

You’re always there, and I don’t even live with you!

Belle

What Tay said. I’m here to remind you to get your ass in the shower and get ready for dinner at Corazón. Reservation is at 7. We get to grill Grace about Steven! *snickers*

Taylor

That fucker. I can’t decide if I’ve forgiven him yet.

Belle

Your doom and gloom lol. Get over it, Tay. It’s true love. Even the blind can see that.

Grace

You know I’m in this group chat, right?

I giggle at the rapid-fire messages between my girls and quickly type in my response.

Millie

Fine. Fine. You got me. I’m going to get ready now. See you soon.

Two hours later, my stomach is filled with spicy tuna rolls doused in Valentina hot sauce from Mexico, my eyes watering and mouth flaming as I chase down the food with sake. I’ve come to realize, I’m drawn to things I shouldn’t be attracted to, like flaming peppers which burn the roof of my mouth off or unapproachable, forbidden professors.

The mariachi band plays a lively tune in the background of this Mexican-Japanese fusion eatery in the bustling Chelsea Market, the restaurant packed to the brim with patrons enjoying Sunday night before the weekday grind begins anew tomorrow.

“So, I saw the cutest Pomeranian at the shelter going to his forever home yesterday,” Belle exclaims, her voice filled with so much happiness. “I was worried about the little guy—I wish all shelters had no-kill policies.”

Taylor nods. “I don’t know how you do it, Belle, volunteering at those animal shelters. I may have a black heart, but even I can’t take seeing these cute animals get euthanized if they don’t get adopted.”

In the last year, Belle has been spending her Saturdays at an overcrowded shelter in Brooklyn. It was her way of giving love to the less fortunate.

Belle’s eyes well up. “That’s why I do it. To help them find homes…as many as I can. Until I come into the rest of my funds, then I’ll build my own no-kill shelter and move them there.”

Grace sighs and pats Belle on the back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing the best you can for those little guys.”

I nod. Belle would adopt them all if she could, but the apartment has the strictest no pet policy. The woman has so much heart to give, I sometimes find it hard to believe she is from the upper crust society families typically more worried about the brand of clothing they wear than the plight of the less fortunate.

“It’s not enough. They deserve more.” Her voice is thick, her pale face flushed with emotions she rarely shows. She sighs and takes a large sip of water before turning to me. “Ignore me. Anyway, first day of senior year tomorrow for you. Excited?” She nudges me on the side.

I nod. “Yes, and no. I’m also nervous about the Advanced Ethical Leadership course. It’s a special part of the honors program and will stretch from the summer quarter all the way until graduation next spring.”

“That’s a mouthful. Why are you nervous? You always do well in school.” Grace pats her nonexistent stomach and stretches her hands above her head, her dark hair piled high into a messy bun.

“I heard it’s tough and they’re switching the curriculum this year…new professor, syllabus, everything. I feel like my life is a series of levels in a freakin’ arcade game and this is the final boss I need to beat if I want to get into the PhD program of my choice. I’ve already submitted my applications early and I’ll be a shoo-in if I pass this program. If I do well, I get to have my choice of schools.”

“Fuck, girl. Only you’d willingly go to more school. That’s shitty hard work.” Tay scrunches her nose in distaste, her black nose ring glinting under the lamplight.

I laugh. “You’re working your way up ABTC, the best ballet company in North America. You work harder than me.” She’s going to be one of the prima ballerinas in the industry in the next ten years, I know it.

Grace throws her arm around me. “You’ll do great, and we’ll be rooting for you.” She gives me a cheerful grin before letting out a satisfied sigh. “Life will be great.”

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