Page 53 of Strelitzias in Spring

I nod as though she can see me. “No, I understand. I’ll be there.”

“Okay, great. Let me get back to work. I have an interview coming in for the varsity volleyball coach position.”

Gritting my teeth, I close my eyes, allowing myself a minute of anger before I get on with my life and get over it. The disdain I have for my father has morphed into hatred.

“Rena!” I open my eyes and turn my head in the direction of my name.

“Hey, guys.” CeCe and Ava approach, clutching their jackets against the wind.

“Oh no, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I offer a weak smile; it feels brittle on my face, and I’m sure I look upset. “I’m fine. Want to head inside? It’s chilly out here.”

I nod toward the entrance, and they both follow my lead, though I know the inquisition will start as soon as we’re seated. I pretend to study my menu as soon as we sit down, though I have no appetite after the call with my mother.

“Okay, time to spill. What’s going on?”

I shake my head, looking away from her. “I’m going out with Jack Thursday night,” I offer, not in the mood to further dissect my shitty homelife.

CeCe’s eyes go wide, and Ava opens her mouth, a squawk-like sound coming out.

“What sound was that?” I can’t help but laugh.

“Honestly? I’m not sure. But holy shit. Tell us everything. Where are you going?” Ava leans forward and grabs my hands, tugging them toward her.

I try to pull my hands away, but she is deceptively strong and has a tight hold. “He said a tavern in Millsbrook? I’m not sure which one.”

“It must be Starbound. They have decent food and live music; Grey’s brought me a few times for their pizza. Are you excited?” She finally drops my hands, and I hide them in my lap, away from her tentacles.

“I guess. I’m not sure what to expect.”

Ava’s brows furrow and CeCe tilts her head at me, confusion marring her features. “What do you mean?”

“He’s a nice guy, but I’m not interested in him.” I shrug, feigning nonchalance, though inside, I’m shouting that this date feels like a horrible idea.

“Do you want me to call him and pretend that you broke your wrist in a stationary bike accident?”

“That was… weirdly specific.”

“It happened to me once. I’ll never forgive Amanda Betts for watching as I fell on a pile of rocks.”

“Why was there a stationary bike next to a pile of rocks?” I am so confused.

Ava starts to answer, but CeCe cuts her off, “She just means that the bike wasn’t moving. She was standing next to a regular bicycle and fell over onto a pile of rocks.”

“You never cease to amaze me, Ava,” I laugh out, unable to help the mirth that swallows the rest of my words. When Meg texted me last night, canceling our lunch because she got a stomach bug, I felt horrible that she was sick and asked if I could bring her anything, like soup or ginger ale. She declined, opting to go home for the rest of the week instead of staying in West Helm.

After Meg canceled our lunch plans, I texted Ava and CeCe to see if they wanted to meet for lunch. It may make me a shitty friend, but I was relieved that the three of us were able to get together.

“Okay, back to Jack. Are you taking your own car or driving there together?”

“He said he would pick me up around seven. I wanted to tell him that I would meet him there, but I didn’t want to be rude.”

“Fuck that,” CeCe provides. “If you don’t feel comfortable driving with him, then you take your car or Uber.”

“C and I could drive you in your car and wait inside the restaurant if you’d feel more comfortable.” Though she doesn’t elaborate, I have a feeling that Ava’s version of “waiting” would include watching us from the next table.

Shaking my head, I reject her offer. “No, it’s okay. If anything, maybe I’ll leave my car keys with you, and you can pick me up if things get weird?”

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