Page 20 of Don't Puck the Wrong Brother

I throw myself into schoolwork with renewed vigor. Papers, projects, readings—anything to keep my mind occupied. Professor Henley even comments on my "refreshing level of engagement" in Bio Ethics, which would feel like more of a victory if I weren't using academia to escape my personal failures.

On Sunday, I call my mom. It's overdue—I usually check in weekly—and I need a dose of normalcy.

"Hannah Banana!" Her voice is sunshine through the phone. "I was just thinking about you. How's my favorite daughter?"

"I'm your only daughter," I laugh.

"All the more reason you're my favorite. How are things? How's that handsome boyfriend of yours? Cale?"

"Cade," I correct, a pang in my chest. "And, um, actually, we broke up."

A beat of silence. "Oh, honey. What happened?"

I've prepared for this. "It just wasn't working out. We want different things."

"Different things?" She sounds skeptical. "Like what?"

"Like…I want to focus on school, and he wants…" What did Cade want? I realize I don't even know. "It doesn't matter. It wasn't right."

Mom sighs. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Breakups are hard, even when they're for the best."

"Yeah."

"Are you doing okay? Getting out? Seeing friends?"

I think of the past week spent hiding in my room. "Not really."

"That settles it. I'm sending you some money. Take those girls of yours out for that fancy green tea you like."

"Matcha green tea," I smile.

"Whatever it's called. You need friend time. Promise me?"

I smile despite myself. "I promise."

"I love you. How is everything else?"

"Other than that, I guess it’s good."

"I would love to catch up, but I’m out at lunch with Paulette. I will talk to you later. I love you."

"Love you too, Mom."

After we hang up, I text our group chat.

Hannah:Matcha run tomorrow? Mom's treat.

Lennox:YESSS was beginning to think you'd died

Finley:I have class at 11 but free before that!

Greta:Only if they have those protein balls I like

Hannah:9:30 at The Grind?

Everyone agrees, and for the first time in days, I feel a flutter of something close to normalcy.

"…and then he says, 'That's not what the book says,' and Professor Wilson just stares at him for ten whole seconds before going, 'I wrote the book.'" Finley snorts into her vanilla latte. "Tyler wanted to disappear."

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