Page 15 of A Certain Step
“Did the prick text you?” Willa inquired.
Sahar shook her head, sadness creeping its way onto her expression. “Nope.”
“You tell me when, and I’ll kill him.”
“No need for murder, but I’ll take all the distractions,” she said, moving aside to place her phone against the turnstile.
Willa stepped in after her. Two seats were luckily available, so they sat side by side. Sahar laid her head against Willa’s shoulder. “Why am I such shit at picking men? I swear it. I’m never dating another actor again.”
“Okay, you know where I stand with my rule, but it’s not the actors that are the problem. It’s dumbasses who can’t see your worth.”
Sahar sighed quietly. Willa knew this wasn’t over yet. He’d likely come groveling, she’d take him back, then he’d piss her off again, and the cycle would repeat. She could never understand why Sahar would put up with it, but then again, Willa admired the risks Sahar took, wishing she could be like that when it came to love.
Willa’s phonevibrated on her bed while she was drawing on eyeliner. Like his company, Ethan’s name on her lock screen would perpetually elicit a joy she couldn’t put into words. Something familiar and warm.
ETHAN
Would you hate me if I bailed tonight?
A sense of gloom eclipsed her excitement with dark clouds and spattered onto her like heavy droplets of rain. She could never hate him, but now that it was no longer just the girls, his absence would be palpable. She’d feel it in the same way she did at her brother’s wedding during quiet moments in the night when she’d looked around the venue in longing.
WILLA
Of course not. You alright?
ETHAN
Yeah, just a bad tension headache crept up and painkillers aren’t doing jack.
WILLA
??
Is there anything I can do?
ETHAN
Have fun and make it home safe.
WILLA
I meant for you.
ETHAN
Your joy is my joy.
WILLA
And your well-being is mine.
Three dots came and went for a solid minute. It was maddening.
ETHAN
The feeling is mutual.
Ugh. What did she expect?Willa needed to pull herself together. These emotions were starting to get weird as hell.
