Page 37 of Whatever It Takes
An umbrella
Waterproof sandals
Fizz
“Let’s eliminate Fizz,” Tess suddenly says. “If we choose it, Professor Flynn might dock points because of Willow’s connection to it.”
Wait…She knows?
“Yes, go ‘ed,” Sheetal agrees. She doesn’t seem surprised?
“Um…” I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “You all know who I am?”
Tess nods. “Your brother is Loren Hale, so that means your sister-in-law is Lily Calloway. Daughter of the CEO of Fizzle. It’s all on Wikipedia.”Damn Wikipedia.
“We also binged theWe Are Callowaydocuseries, like,a little towards the end of the summer,” Sheetal says. “But Tess said not to bring it up to you.”
Tess nods. “My mom is a director, and my dad is a location scout. As soon as anyone hears the films they made, I get asked a million questions. It’s just kind of annoying. I thought it might be the same for you, so I didn’t want to make it a big deal.”
That’s actually really sweet. I’m smiling, my cheeks hurting.
Besides the Calloway sisters and their men, there aren’t many other celebrities in Philadelphia. It’s not like LA or Hollywood where you can easily meet other people that go through the same public scrutiny. Paparazzi migrated to Phillybecauseof the Calloways. Finding someone who gets it, even just a little, is a breath of fresh air.
“Thanks,” I say to Tess.
“Don’t worry about it,” Tess says like it really is nothing.
I look to Salvatore, who’s scrolling on his phone. I think he might be looking me up. When he catches me staring, he says, “You can Google me too. Salvatore Amadio.” He spells out his full name.
Sheetal laughs. “Are we about to find out your deep, dark secrets, Salvatore?” But we all brandish our phones.
I do a quick Google search and learn that Salvatore Amadio is the son of two famous Italian actors. He was even in a movie as a baby, but he retired from child acting by the age of four.
Sheetal makes a dejected noise. “Well now I’m proper devoed, like. Me parents are infinance. An absolute snore. I have no famous family or long-lost siblings.”
“You havemeeee,” Tess sing-songs and hugs her tight. Sheetal tries hard not to smile, but it’s a lost cause when Tess kisses her playfully on the nose.
Salvatore pockets his phone. “It’s not all great,” he says to Sheetal but doesn’t elaborate.
My cell suddenly vibrates in my palm, Garrison’s name on the screen.Finally.
“I have to take this,” I say quickly and then leave for the hall. It’s empty, but I can hear muffled music coming from some of the dorm rooms.
When I click into the call, my worries just tumble forth. “Garrison, are you okay? Your last video looked like you hadn’t slept in days. And I’m just now realizing that if you were sleeping I probably woke you up and you needed that sleep. I’msosorry—”
“Willow,” he cuts me off before I spiral. “I’m glad you called and texted and practically shot off a rocket flare.”
Tears prick my eyes. “You are?”
“Yeah. And I’m in one piece. Like you said, I just haven’t been getting sleep. I’m going to make sure I don’t stay in the office past midnight.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“Promise. What are you doing?”
“There’s this group project thing.”
“Right now?” Worry and concern breaches his voice. I know he’s been worried about distracting me, but I’m making time for him in my life. That’s what you’re supposed to do for the people you love.
