Page 112 of Ordinary Secrets

Liz answers on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”

“What? Are you a Seer now too?”

“You never call me, and this is the second time you’ve called me today after you abruptly left our writing session looking like you caught a zirus. So, what’s wrong?”

I pound my forehead against the wall. It echoes in the stairwell. “It’s Arella. She...” I can’t even say it without choking up. “She was in a car accident.”

Liz gasps. “How bad is the damage? To her, obviously, not the car.”

“The doctor said she’s okay. I haven’t confirmed it yet since I haven’t seen her. She’s going through some bullshit MRI thing that takes forever.” I still don’t understand what the point of an MRI is when she’s “fine.”

“Oh, T. I’m so sorry. What can I do for you?”

I sigh deeply, trying my best not to lose it. “Just talk to me. I hate hospitals.”

“Yeah, that’s not the best place for you, is it?”

“I’m getting a headache.” Actually, my head pounds as if little elves are chopping wood in my brain while listening to heavy metal. The only good thing is that the nausea has simmered down and my arms don’t feel numb anymore.Which reminds me...“Liz, I need to tell you something, and it’s gonna sound crazy.”

“Okay?”

“I—I felt it.”

There’s a long pause, and I picture Liz’s eyebrows creasing together. “Felt what?”

“That sensation Zordis talk about. I knew that something was wrong with Arella. Mybodyknew. My stomach wouldn’t stop whipping around, and there’s this constant burning in my chest.”

“That’s not possible, T. We only feel the glimmer with our soul mates.”

I know that. That’s why this doesn’t make any sense. “Well... maybe, I dunno. Maybe Arella?—”

“Stop. I know what you’re about to say, and there’s no chance. She’s an Ordi.”

“I know, but here’s the thing. Today is not the first time I felt it. It happened last week too. I thought it was just a coincidence, so I brushed it off. I’ve always thought the glimmer was just some stupid thing Zordis made up to put claim on each other—until I felt itagaintoday. I mean, I dunno. Maybe it was a coincidence, but it doesn’t feel like it.”

“Hmm...” is all Liz says. The call goes silent for a moment before she continues, “Ya know, if you think Ari could be your soul mate, that means you’re in love with her.”

I don’t respond. I don’t know how to.

Liz presses on. “Are you?”

In the depths of my soul, I know the answer. I inhale a few breaths of courage before I’m able to admit it out loud. “Yes, I am.”

Liz perks up, and I hear her grinning through the phone. “Ah! I’ve been waiting for you to fall in love for years. I never thought it’d be with an Ordi though. I mean, do you know how outrageous that sounds?”

I slump onto the bottom step of the stairs and shove my face into my hand. “I know it’s bizarre, but it doesn’t feel that way.”

“I agree.”

I don’t hide my shock. “You do?”

“Yeah. I’ve said it before, T. That girl is perfect for you, except for the one thing. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve stopped giving you shit for being with her, ’cause you light up whenever she’s around. Lately, the lyrics you’ve been writing aren’t as dark, and your smiles look genuine. I’ve never seen you so happy. I wasn’t about to keep nagging at you for being happy, no matter how strange and illegal it is.”

As always, Liz is right. Arella does make me the happiest I’ve ever been. For my best friend to have recognized that and encouraged it, even when she believes it’s wrong, means a ton. I already thought Liz deserves the world. Now I think she deserves the entire universe.

“What should I do?” I ask, unsure what exactly I’m referring to. I need advice on a lot of things right now.

“Have you told her?”

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