Page 74 of When Fate Breaks
Blake’s throat bobs, his eyes searching. “Don’t give him so much credit. He definitely didn’t make it up.”
“He may as well have.”
Blake’s lips part, several long seconds going by of us having what has to be our hundredth stare-off in the last two weeks.
“Well,” I say, my mouth dry. “I’ll see ya.” I forfeit the staring game, tearing my gaze away and quickly stumbling towards the back door.
“See ya, Evangeline,” I hear Blake mutter over my shoulder.
14
NINE YEARS AGO
The buzz of my phone vibrating on my nightstand wakes me just as it has everyday for over a year now.
I roll over and unlock my phone to check the notification even though I already know what it is. The text message lights up my screen and, regardless that it’s the exact same as always, it still brings a smile to my lips.
Blake: Good morning, Evangeline.
I sit up all the way in bed, stretching my arms into the air and letting out a deep yawn before typing my response. Also the same as always.
Me: Good morning, Blake.
And just like that, the routine remains. Sometimes the conversation will continue throughout the day, sometimes it won’t. I’ve been insanely busy over the past year adjusting to college life and trying to scrape by in the required finance and accounting classes needed for my marketing degree. Blake has been busy as well, closing out his last season of baseball and graduating from high school.
I told Blake last year that I wasn’t going to have a relationship over the phone and I meant it. But that didn’t mean we couldn’t keep in touch. Blake had started theGood Morningritual the day after my family left Lake Placid last summer and, though I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me miss him more at times, it kept us in a perfect sweet spot.
Friends.
I hop out of bed, heading into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. I see one of my two roommates, Carmen, sitting at the kitchen counter. She has several books and piles of notes splayed out in front of her and her cell phone wedged between her ear and her shoulder. Only Carmen would have this much homework and be studying at 8 a.m. this intensely less than a full week into the semester.
She glances up at me as I approach her. “Good morning, sunshine,” she whispers, not wanting to interrupt the conversation she’s having. I can tell it’s her mother by the exasperated expression on Carmen’s face.
“Good morning. Your mom?” I mouth back.
Carmen rolls her eyes, nodding in response.
I laugh under my breath as I pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot Carmen luckily already made.
“Yes Mamá, they’re good. Just as good as they were at 9 p.m. last night. Annie says ‘hi’.” I turn back to Carmen and she greets me with another eye roll. “Madeline, too,” Carmen adds, referring to our other roommate that’s definitely not even out of bed yet.
I shake my head at her, taking an extra large gulp of coffee when my phone buzzes in my hand.
Leah: Good morning, rat.
I chuckle.Sunshinefrom Carmen andratfrom Leah. Sounds about right. And I love her for it.
Leah: You still okay to come tonight?
Me: It’s your birthday! Of course I’m coming.
Leah: Ugh, I know! But you literally just left for school and haven’t even been in Tuscaloosa for a week. It’s so annoying to make you drive back to Ramer so soon.
Me: It’s only a two hour drive and I only have a 9 a.m. class today. I’m coming whether you like it or not.
Leah: Sigh. I’m not worthy of you, Annie Jacks.
Me: You got that right. See you tonight, rat ;)
