Page 124 of Severance

Now we have a different kind of friendship. Less co-dependent and more genuine.

After saying our goodbyes to Mallory, we pack the rest of our things and walk out into the busy hallway.

“Am I driving you home?” I ask, hoisting my bag over my shoulder.

Today, I took Jess out for breakfast as part of my birthday present to her. The second half of that present is in my bedside drawer back home, and I’m beyond nervous because I’m not sure if she still feels the same as she did about Black Rose. Her music tastes changed a lot over the course of last year. But I acted on a whim and asked Mikah to get the tickets anyway, even if she and Luke can’t find the time to drive to Seattle to see the show.

Jess tears her gaze from her phone and scrunches up her nose. “Luke’s here.” There’s a mischievous spark in her eyes.

My heart flips. “What?” I gasp for air. “Is he driving?” It’s hard for me to believe this is possible. He’s been in intensive physical therapy all summer and finally began walking in August.

“Don’t forget”—Jess dodges my question—“you’re wearing the blue dress to match my hair tonight.” She hooks her arm through mine and pulls me in the direction of the lobby.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Silver sandals,” she continues with her instructions as we make our way to the exit.

“You know they’re the most uncomfortable pair of sandals I’ve ever owned.” My shoulders slump from the mere idea of wearing them. They were Mom’s present for my high school graduation and cost a fortune, but I’ve only been able to bring myself to put them on once.

“Beauty requires sacrifice.”

“But it doesn’t require torture,” I counter. “I feel like my little toes fall off when I wear those sandals.” I pout.

“It’s okay. You have eight more toes.” Jess giggles.

I giggle back.

We walk out of the building and rush down past the clusters of other students nesting on the steps. Crowded hallways and spaces with not enough doors and too many people still make me nervous, and this moment—the moment of leaving the confines of a campus building—always causes something inside me to snap. I don’t like it. I don’t like that there’s a switch that I can’t quite control, but I’m used to it and I don’t allow it to define me. I don’t allow my fear to rule my life. I can’t. Because it’s just like Mikah said. We don’t know how much life we have left.

The air outside is warm and the sun is gentle, and I breathe in deep and hard, feeding my lungs with September oxygen.

“Did I tell you my dad is buying me a Mercedes?” Jess says.

“What? No!” Although I’m not surprised. The Tillers can afford to get their daughter a fancy car for her nineteenth birthday. I don’t expect anything like that for my birthday next month; I’m fine with my Prius—it runs great. Dad doesn’t let me drive it to Seattle, but for that, we have the Subaru.

“Yes. We’re going this weekend.” Jess turns to face me. There’s a huge grin on her lips and her gaze darts over my shoulder.

“What?” I spin on my heels to see what she’s staring at.

Luke’s blond hair lingers above the heads of the other students roaming around the courtyard. Not bothering with the passersby, he thrusts his cane in the air and waves at us. “Yo! Over here, birthday girl!”

My heart begins to gallop and my knees weaken because Mikah’s standing next to him. Not able to contain my excitement, I barrel through the crowd and fling my arms around his neck. He picks me up to spin me and I respond with an enthusiastic squeal. Our bodies clash hard against one another and our lips collide in a mad kiss. It feels incredible to be able to hug him after a three-week break. A small fraction of me hates the separation and the fact that he’s a hundred and eighty miles away, constantly surrounded by tons of people, and always busy. But for the most part, I’m happy. I’m happy he’s doing something he’s passionate about.

We kiss like high school kids, until our lungs are out of air and the whistles of other students in the courtyard grow louder.

“I was under the impression it wasmybirthday!” I hear Jess laughing as Mikah puts me down.

“You two are disgusting.” Luke snickers, winking at us.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, staring up at Mikah. My hands slide across his chest and I straighten his t-shirt that readsBite Me.“I thought you said you’d be home next week?”

“Are you not happy to see me, Cupcake Queen?” He chuckles, moving his fingers into my hair. “I can go back to Seattle.”

“No!” I wrap my arms around his body, press my cheek to his chest, and squeeze. “I’m just surprised is all.”

I stand like this for a few seconds, hugging him as he’s drawn tight in my embrace.

“Don’t forget, man.” Twirling his cane, Luke glances at Mikah. “You’re famous now. Don’t let her seduce you into making a sex tape in the middle of the day.”

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