Page 6 of The Future Play

“I—are you sure?”

“Soon it’ll be your room too. And the couches are super comfy.” Rae’s smile makes me smile too.

“What about your roommate?”

“We’ve tried hard to include her, but she’s overwhelmed, and we respect that. She prefers to be in the bedroom and have her space, so I try to give that to her. As long as you aren’t in her space, she won’t care,” Mackie says. “Plus, I’ve been a shitty friendthis weekend because I was a little obsessed with Hyla, and I’d love to spend some time with you. So, please?” She gives me big puppy dog eyes.

“Okay. Yeah. That sounds so much better than fighting with my roommate all night.”

Rae throws her hand up victoriously. “Yes!”

With that, we all head back up to their room.

Once they’ve all unpacked and I’ve made a bed for myself on one of the couches, Mackie joins me on the other one with a blanket.

“Thanks for including me this weekend,” I say quietly.

“Of course. You’re one of us now.”

All I can do is nod at that.

Mackie elbows me. “Assuming you want to be.”

“I do. I’m just not used to it.” Having people actively choose me isn’t something I used to.

“Not used to people being friendly?” she asks.

I scrunch up my face, not sure of how to answer, which makes her brow furrow.

“Okay, who hurt you? Who made you feel like you don’t deserve this kind of friendship?”

“My ex—”Whoa. Emotion bubbles in my chest and my eyes sting.No. Nope. Not going down that road. Not yet. Instead, I clear my throat and go for a slight twist of the truth. “My exbest friendcut me out and took our other two friends with her.”

Mackie shifts closer and pulls the blanket over me too. “I’m so sorry. That’s awful. Just know we’re not like that. If anything, we hold on too tightly. I don’t know if you noticed, but we’re a little crazy.”

I chuckle at that, feeling a little lighter. “I’ve noticed, but I think you’re my kind of crazy.”

“Good. Want to watch something?”

“Gilmore Girls?”

“You really are one of us.”

Mackie puts it on, then we fall into an easy conversation. Shetells me about her massive blended family and the bakery her mom owns, and I tell her about my two stinky brothers.

Rae comes out of the bathroom where she was showering and sees what we’re watching.

“Ooh,Gilmore Girls. Perfect way to end the weekend. Sarah!” she calls.

Sarah strolls out and sees the TV too.

“Girl time?” Rae asks.

“Definitely.”

“Sweet. I’ll make popcorn.” Rae goes to the kitchenette while Sarah joins us on the couch, cuddling up next to Mackie under the blanket.

Here I was thinking the bubble of the weekend would pop, but it’s only getting bigger. It’s a stupid analogy, but the point remains… they’re not letting me go.

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