Page 2 of Unearthed Dreams
“Please,” he retorted. “I let you.”
They laughed, catching their breath, as we made our way to the front door of apartment 2A.
“Are you sure you have to leave, like,today?” Shelby asked—no, whined.
“Yeah, there’s a great party happening tonight,” Simon added. “You can leave in the morning.”
“You know that’s not my scene,” I said. “Plus, I have my brother’s opening tomorrow, so I need to get back.”
After months of hard work and endless family drama, Elliot and Tessa were celebrating the grand opening of EdenTreeCidery. The whole town would be there, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world—definitely not for a club party.
“Ugh, fine,” Shelbs groaned before perking up. “Hey, maybe we’ll drive up for the grand opening! It’s a cidery, right? So, there’ll be booze.”
“Yes.” I laughed. “There will be alcohol. My dad has the best hard cider recipe.”
“What do you think?” Shelby asked Simon.
“Let’s see how we feel in the morning after the party. No promises, C.”
I shrugged. Honestly, I didn’t want them to come. I wanted to celebrate this accomplishment with my family. “It’s no biggie. You can always come another time.”
Simon excused himself to run home and shower before the party, leaving me and Shelby alone.
“This place is going to be so lonely without you. Are you sure you won’t stay for the summer?”
I loved her. For three years, Shelby had dragged me out of my comfort zone, insisting I join her for coffee dates and movie nights when she could have been hanging out with the other girls from her sorority—the ones who didn’t hide behind books and actually knew how to do their makeup. The ones who didn’t stumble over small talk or panic at the thought of going to a club.
She’d been the first person to really try with me, to push past my awkward silences and one-word answers. But watching her now, all confidence and grace, I couldn’t help but think she’d wasted her time trying to transform her bookworm roommate into someone who could keep up with her world. Someone worth the effort.
The friendship meant everything to me, but once I left, she’d probably feel relieved. No more explaining why her roommate never showed up to parties or having to interpret my social anxiety as something other than rudeness to her friends.
I shook my head. My rent was paid through the end of August, so Shelby would have our apartment to herself for the next three months. Then, she and Simon were moving into a place together a little further off campus, closer to the jobs they’d both secured for after graduation.
“No, it’s time.”
Shelby pulled me into a hug. “I’m going to miss you so much. Promise you’ll come visit?”
“Promise.”
But I wasn’t sure she’d hold me to it. I had a feeling we’d drift apart quickly. I didn’t see myself being lifelong friends with anyone.
I was lucky I had my family and my sisters-in-law. Theyhadto like me, even if I was a little awkward. A little boring.
I meandered back to my room across the hall from Shelby’s. I spun in a slow circle, taking in the sparse space, when my phone buzzed.
ELLIOT
Excited to see you tonight, kiddo.
BTW, Mrs. Henderson said there’s a cashier opening at the store. It’s no McDonald’s, but she said it’s yours if you want it.
I groaned. Since the day I declared English Literature as my major, Elliot had teased me about ending up at McDonald’s. It wasn’t malicious—just his way of showing concern. Unlike me,he had never questioned his path in life. From the moment he could walk and talk, Elliot knew his place was running Ever Eden Orchard after Dad took a step back.
ELLIOT
Or you could always work at the cidery. We’d be happy to have you.
CHARLIE
