Page 84 of Rewriting the Story

“What?”

I look over at her, confusion and shock on her features, as if she didn't know, as if she couldn't see. “When you left, it didn't just disappear. It lingered, it changed, but it’s still there. The other day, I told you I wish I hated you because that is so much easier. I wasn't lying when I said you were the first and only girl I was ever serious about. That kind of love, the one that consumes you fully, doesn't just leave. I love you, and I’m sorry, but I won’t let you do this to me again.”

“Henry—”

Hads clinks her glass, and everyone gathers around the table. I leave Amelia standing where she is as I head to my seat. I’ve been placedbetween Leo and Jacks, and I couldn't be happier to be as far away from Amelia as possible.

“Thank you,” Hads says as everyone settles in. “Before we all eat and celebrate my brother and one of my best friends, I wanted to say something.”

Hads turns to her brother and Paige, and I swear, I can already hear sniffles. I think that’s what is so special about this group. They all love each other endlessly. They’ve been through so much, so many highs and lows, so many scary moments, yet they all still surround one another with love and warmth.

“Growing up with someone like Oliver as my brother was the biggest honor I could have. Being able to call myself your sister is the greatest thing in the world to me. I can’t imagine having someone better to look up to, to make fun of, to talk to when I have no idea what to do in certain situations. He was always a great listener, even when I came to him with my boy troubles.”

Everyone laughs.

“Hey, I was right about Grant, thank you very much,” he says to the room.

“Appreciate it, bro.” Grant nudges Oliver, and Oliver leans away, trying to escape.

“But when I found out Paige over here was in love with him, I freaked out. I almost couldn't wrap my mind around it,” she says, pausing to take a breath. “But the first time I saw Oliver smile at her, I knew. I knew these two were meant to be, and I wasn't going to stand in the way of that. Not only did my brother deserve a love that would soften his life, but Paige deserved someone who would move mountains for her. Both of them have found that in the other.”

Paige slumps her head on Oliver’s shoulder, and he wipes her tears from her face like I’ve seen himdo so many times.

“So, to you two, my brother and my almost-sister, I am so happy to be here to celebrate the beginning of your forever. There are no two people more deserving of this happiness than you, especially after almost dying for one another—literally.”

More laughter floats around the table, and I can’t believe it was only a few years ago those two were dodging bullets and intruders together. Their kids are going to hear some wild stories in the future, and I can’t even imagine them trying to explain how they get together. That’s going to be the funniest conversation in the world.

“To Oliver and Paige,” Hads says, and we all raise our glasses, toasting to them.

For the rest of the evening, stories are traded over good food and even better dessert.

Maybe this isn't the end for me. Maybe one day, I’ll be around a table in a similar manner, trading stories with new friends I haven't met yet.

It’s a shame this one didn't work out, but that’s the thing about life, right? You have so many chances for a do-over, and even when you feel sad about something ending, there’s an entirely new door somewhere, just waiting for you to open it.

32

Amelia by Mimi Webb

“Tomorrowistheday.”Hads sniffles as we all get comfortable on Paige’s bed. There was only one thing on the schedule for after the rehearsal dinner, one final slumber party between the four of us.

Since we got back up here, we’ve all been a mess of emotions. Not only did Hads get us matching lavender silk pajamas for tonight, but we’re piled into Paige’s bed for one last girls’ night before tomorrow.

It’s terrifying to think about how time is passing us by so quickly. I wish it would stop. I wish we could go back to that small classroom at Grand Mountain and relive all the wonderful moments. All the laughter we shared. All the books we argued over. All the charts Hads made for usuntil, eventually, our group got larger. I want to live in these memories and never come out.

I’m nothing if not a person who longs to return to the moments I took for granted when I was in them. I often find myself wishing to go back, to have a redo, but I can’t. All we can do now is reminisce, the memories floating in and out of our heads as we talk about them.

“Do you guys think we’re friends in every universe?” Paige asks as we all settle in.

“Where did that come from, P?” Ella asks, grabbing her water bottle.

“Well, we read all these books about romance and platonic love, and in them, there’s always that feeling of knowing those characters will always find one another. I guess I just wondered if you guys ever think about who we would all be if we weren't in this timeline right now.”

“I don’t think there’s a universe where we all don’t find one another,” Hads says, leaning into her almost-sister.

“It would upset the balance,” I say as the girls laugh. “I’m glad you guys welcomed me back. I’m sure there’s a universe where I don’t get a second chance.”

“It wouldn't be the same without you, Ames.” Paige grabs my hand. “We’re glad you’re back.”

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