Page 37 of The Last Dance

‘Nothing. Get back to work!’ he yells at Trevor as if he’d never called him in here to begin with.

I grin at Trevor as I walk by, shrugging my shoulders like I have no idea why he was even called over. He’ll never know if I have my way. No matter how nervous I am taking the celebrity spot, the last thing I need is for him to weasel his way into my chance to be a respected writer.

I pull my phone from my pocket as I walk back to my desk, but I hesitate. Should I tell Karmen? I know it’s weird with the Henry thing, but I decided last night that I wasn’t going to let him shake me. I made up my mind a long time ago that I could be fine without him and I have been. He wanted a new life and he got one. He will not ruin this for me.

Got a promotion! Celebrity spot is now mine for good. I hope you were serious about being willing to help for a bit?

I stare at the text. It’s only for a little while. Until I find my feet. What can it hurt? I hit send. My phone beeping with a return text as I slide it into my pocket. I pull it back out.

Congrats!! Come by tonight and we’ll talk details!

I stare at her address. If I’m honest, getting close to Henry’s new girlfriend makes me feel a little bit like I’m gonna be sick. I don’t know this Henry and getting to know him through his now girlfriend isn’t something I’m ready for.

*

I make my way to the corner I told Claire to meet me at after work. When the weather is nice we walk to work. Sunshine is sometimes rare in Portland, so I take advantage of it when I can. Not only does the walking help burn whatever calorie intake I’ve overdone but it also provides me with a little BFF therapy on days where I either can’t shut up or feel more than irritated. Whichever it is, she’s always got great advice. I can’t wait to tell her that I have finally accomplished something in my career. She’ll be so proud.

‘I did it!’ I lunge forward, throwing my hands in the air as soon as I see her in the distance.

A promotion is a promotion whether it came with bad news or not. I will celebrate it as good news.

‘Did what?’ she asks when I reach her side.

‘I got a promotion at work. You are looking at the foodandcelebrity columnist, PDX Weekly’s Lead Correspondent.’ I flail my arms out towards her.

‘That is great! Congratulations!’

‘I know. There is one tiny detail that worries me.’ I’m now walking briskly up the street at her side. For some reason, Claire can only walk at one speed and that is of someone who has to pee really bad.

‘You always do find something to worry about, don’t you?’

‘It’s a special talent of mine. Not everyone can overthink something until they have narrowed it down to anactualproblem. I’m skilled that way, what can I say?’

‘Go on, then…’ Claire rolls her eyes with a laugh.

When you’ve been friends as long as Claire and I have you can be supportive and irritated at the same time and not offend the other. It’s part of what I love about us.

We met our freshman year of high school. My only real friend at this point was Henry (and Ben by default). I wasn’t big on having five hundred close friends like some of my classmates were. I was perfectly happy with just a few.

*

There I was crying outside the bathroom. Over nothing, really. I worked my ass off on a report and got a D. It was so stupid, but I’d always gotten good grades, it was kind of my thing. But the D came in at the worst possible time of the month and so it felt like the instructor had called me in front of the class and humiliated me in front of everyone. Really, he only posted our grades on the wall for everyone to see. Which at the time didn’t feel far off of the whole class humiliation thing.

Henry rubs the back of his neck. His face scrunched into an awkward half-supportive smile. ‘It’s just a D. I’m not sure why you’re crying over it? I’ve had a D before. It’s not that big a deal.’

Ben stops when he sees us; noticing the tears, he slowly backs away. ‘I’ll let you ladies get back to whatever this is…’ He circles his hands in our direction.

Henry silently gives him the finger before turning his attention back to me. ‘I mean, seriously, Ambri. You know I love everything about ya but this…’ He motions towards the tears. ‘Yeah, I don’t know what to do about the crying and the overthinking. And the uh – overreacting?’

‘Overreacting?’ I yell at him.

‘No-o-o…’ He waves his hands in front of him with a laugh he’s clearly trying to stifle. ‘Sorry, obviously wrong word.’ He clenches his jaw and rolls his eyes.

I finally laugh through the tears at his face. He’s terrified. As he probably should be with a fourteen-year old girl on her period, bawling over something so ridiculous that I’m embarrassed.

‘I am overreacting.’ I sigh heavily, ashamed I even have to say it. ‘And you’re right. It’s not fair that you have to deal with all this.’

‘That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it. I love all this.’ He throws his hands out. ‘I just don’t enjoy this particular week. You know… shark week.’

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