Page 13 of The Future Play

My birthday was yesterday, and we had a little family party with my parents and Jace’s family. They’ve been neighbors my whole life and are like our extended family.

Today, though, this is what I wanted. A low-key night with the girls who have become my closest friends. It’s hard to believe it’s barely been a month since I met them, but people say when it’s right, you just know. And maybe they’re referring to love, but platonic love is as—if not more—important.

I think I could probably live without romantic love if I had to, but now that I’ve had a taste of this camaraderie and support, I don’t think I could go without it. Even with my former best friends, I never had a relationship like this. Unwavering love and friendship is what I’ve wanted for a long time, and it still feels a little surreal that I have it—but I’m forcing myself to quiet the mean voices in the back of my mind, and as Mackie suggested, let them love me.

After coming up with five ridiculous nicknames forMackie—kitty boo boo, honey stuffins, Mack attack, smacky Mackie, and MacWonderful—I gave up. With a straight face, Mackie let me repeatedly call her each one. I swear sometimes she’stooeasygoing. But I’m hopeful that’ll make us good roommates. I’m fairly low maintenance when it comes to anything but my emotional needs, so it should be a good fit.

And she’ll just have to live with me jumping on the hive mind train and calling her Mackie because trying to come up with over-the-top nicknames is exhausting.

“Thank you,” I say, clinking each of their glasses. “I’m older, wiser, and obviously more beautiful.”

“Obviously,” Mackie agrees.

“We’re all going to age like fine wines,” Sarah says. “Because we’ll be laughing the whole way.”

“Oh my god, yes,” I agree. “We have to be those crazy old ladies in the nursing home who are heckling the staff and playing card games all day.”

“Sign me up,” Rae says.

“Oh, and don’t forget, eating sushi,” Mackie says, popping the tops off the containers in front of us.

If I could eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would be sushi, no questions asked. These are all a bunch of specialty rolls from one of the local places, and my mouth is watering just looking at them.

Before I can dive in, my phone goes off. While I like to be present with the girls, I’ve been texting with Marissa, the woman in charge of the event I’m running next weekend.

“Sorry, is it okay if I check it? I just want to make sure I don’t miss any important event-related stuff.”

“Go for it,” Mackie says.

I quickly check it, but it’s only a text from the florist confirming the time for set up. I text back, then set my phone to the side again.

“Your event is in Ida, right?” Sarah asks.

“Yep. That massive Victorian home they recently renovated into event space.”

“Did you want to come over to our place beforehand? We could do your hair and makeup,” Sarah says.

I blink at her. Yeah, before dances my former friends and I used to do hair and makeup together like a lot of teen girls do, but there’s something different about this. Something more.

“Uh, that’d be awesome. But I might be a little gross from setting up, so makeup might not be the best plan.”

“Do you want to bring a bag to our house and shower there?” Rae asks. “Actually… do you need help setting anything up?”

“Oh, no. I’ll be fine.”

“Mm. Let’s rephrase. Is anyone helping you set up?” Sarah asks, brow cocked like she already knows she’s calling me on my bullshit.

“No,” I say, trying to sound confident.

“How much do you have to do?” Mackie asks.

Everything.

“All the decor, oversee floral placements, make sure everything is ready for the caterers.”

“That seems like a lot,” Sarah says.

“It… is.”

---