Page 75 of True Blue

A worker comes to the glass doors next to us, unlocking the café and changing the closed sign to open. I hold the door for Janette as well as the other few people who were waiting out front with us. Once inside, I nod toward a window booth big enough for four and get in line to buy our drinks.

Janette makes herself comfortable, taking off her gloves and earmuffs, but leaving her coat on as she claims the table I pointed out. I place our order, getting Autumn and Mira’s usual drinks as well, before sliding in next to Janette and pulling off my own winter gear.

The bell over the door rings and I look up to see my best friends walk in, stamping their boots on the black mat inside the door. My stomach rolls, and I swallow down the rising uncertainty tainting my gut. Mira will be happy for us. She’ll understand.

Mira looks around, spotting us first when I raise my hand and steering Autumn over to our table.

“Sorry we’re late, I couldn’t find my gloves.” Mira says, smiling at Janette and pulling off her knit hat. The look settles my nerves a bit, warmth spreading through my chest at the idea of them becoming friends. She looks over her shoulder at the menu board above the counter. “Did you guys order already?”

I nod, reaching out to take Autumn’s bag so she can take her coat off. “Yeah, I got your peppermint thing and Autumn’s tea. Just waiting for them to call the name.” Mira turns back, smilingand I hand Autumn her bag back once they’ve both slid into the booth across from us.

Awkwardness invades my gut as Janette and Mira start chatting about finals. I listen halfheartedly, trying to formulate the right way to ease the conversation toward the topic I want. Janette’s hand lands on my knee under the table as she nods along to Autumn. I pat the back of her hand just as my name gets called by a barista. I slide out of the booth, grabbing the drink tray and carrying it over to the little mixing station where I add cinnamon to Autumn’s tea and a wooden stirrer to Mira’s peppermint mocha.

Walking back, I catch the tail end of the conversation as Janette smiles at me and reaches for her drink.

“I still think you should just switch now.” She shrugs her shoulder as she licks the rim of her cup, catching a few fallen drips from the station to table transfer.

Mira holds her mocha with two hands, warming them against the surface. “Classes have already been picked for next semester, so I'll get the duds if I change now. Plus, most majors follow a fall to spring schedule, so starting the classes now will mess up my whole schedule for the next three years.”

“Change what?” I ask after burning my tongue on the scalding coffee I ordered. I pull the lid off and rub my thumb against the lip of the cup, feeling the steam against the pad of my finger.

“Change majors. I think I’m going to do it next semester. That way I can get my gen eds done this year and then start all the art courses in the fall like they’re set up to be taken.” Mira stares at her cup the whole time she speaks, shoulders tense. Autumn rubs her back, half her tea already gone.

I reach across the table, taking one of her hands off the cup, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “I think that’s a great idea, Mir. You deserve to do what you love.”

Mira nods, smiling. “Mom said the same thing.”

I chuckle, taking back my hand and winking at her. “I knew I loved April for a reason.”

“Have you told Harley?” Autumn half mumbles, cup against her lips.

Mira swallows, shaking her head. Her eyes dull a little and I fist my hand in my lap. “We’ve been weird lately. I don’t know if I’m going to tell him right now.”

Janette’s hand lands back on my knee, squeezing as she sips her drink. I clear my throat, unclenching my fist and sitting forward so my elbows rest on the table. “So, I wanted to meet with you guys today to tell you both something.”

“He’s speaking formally. Nervous,” Autumn murmurs.

Mira nods, sitting up. “Serious. Maybe he crashed the car?”

I roll my eyes, sitting back and trying my coffee again now that it’s a little more cooled. Once they start, there’s no stopping them until they’re done.

“Or he’s dropping out?”

“Please tell me he didn’t knock someone up.”

“A baby? Tyson will be furious.”

“Not to mention Heather and Michael.”

“Oh, the scandal.” Autumn snickers.

I glance at Janette, finding her eyes ping ponging between my best friends, eyebrows slowly inching up her forehead.

“Are you two done?” I ask.

Mira laughs, nodding. “What’s up, Bent?”

I take a deep breath, grabbing Janette’s hand under the table and bringing our interlocked fingers up. “We’re together.”

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