Page 23 of Collided

“Condoms? Why would he need them?” She looks at me in question.

“Hewillneed them,” Sebastian presses.

Marie grins. “Oh, you’re going to hook up with someone?”

For fuck’s sake.

“I’m not. Don’t fucking listen to him.” I glare at my best friend who’s chuckling.

“Sebastian’s right. It’s better to be safe,” Marie argues.

“For fuck’s sake.” I stuff my mouth with food.

“You won’t be saying that when you have a baby,” Marie adds.

“Marie Anderson, stop fucking talking.”

“It’s Marie Lia Anderson, and okay.”

I breathe in some air to calm myself down.

“Should we get a lube, too?” Sebastian asks.

I throw my spoon at him, but he misses at the last second. “Both of you get out of here!”

Sebastian laughs while Marie looks between us.

“Damn, you’re extra grumpy today,” she says absentmindedly.

“I’m always like this.” I run a hand through my hair and grimace when my knuckles get scratched. I shouldn’t have removed the bandage, but it kept reminding me of Hope. I didn’t like that.

7

Hope

LYING IN BED, I’M READING ANOTHER ROMANCE BOOK WITH THE DYSTOPIAN TROPE. The genre I mostly pick because I love the adventure, the thrill, and finding love in the middle of the chaos. You’re on your own, but you also have someone who’d be by your side no matter what.

Rolling over to my left side, I scoot closer to the lamp I bought yesterday, so I can read late at night without brightening up my entire room.

My phone lights up with a text message.

Marie: Sit with me at lunch tomorrow. I want to introduce you to my boyfriend.

I quickly write back.

Hope: Sure, if you’re okay with it.

Marie: I’m 1000000000% sure.

Smiling at her text, I switch off my phone.

Marie and I have become good friends in the past week. One moment she was a stranger to me, and now she’s sending me links to TV show quizzes to see which character we are. Most of them I haven't watched, which she noted in her to-do list for us. I’ve also learned she’s a music enthusiast. Our messages are filled with song recommendations she thinks I’ll love. I listened to them and immediately fell in love with them. In a few days, she’s tied this bond between us that feels real, strong, and important. I can’t imagine how I went through life without it. Friendship is such an amazing thing. I used to read about it and now I get to experience it.

I don’t realize I’m grinning until my cheeks begin to hurt.

It’s stupid, but I’m happy.

The door unlocks downstairs, and the thud reverberates in the house. I remember I locked the door.

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