Page 37 of Afterglow
“The day I get along with Willow Rogers is the day hell freezes over,”
“And you say I’m dramatic,”
Jay glances between his phone and me. “Sorry, I have to go. Coach is calling a meeting,”
“Don’t think you can avoid this conversation,”
“I just did,”
Chapter 17
Jazmine Allen
It is common knowledge that when you are looking forward to an event, time moves at snail pace.
I have been counting the minutes until Willow arrives since our messages yesterday. Usually, I am completely focused on Dr Yang’s class, but when you haven’t seen your best friend of thirteen years in over six months, it’s hard to pay attention.
After our graduation from Meadow Beach High School, Willow moved back to Nevada with her family and enrolled at the University of Nevada. Theirice hockey team was one of two, who offered her a position regardless of her gender. Lakewood was her other option; however, when she found out Jayden accepted their offer, she ran in the opposite direction.
People shuffle around me, heading towards the exits. I follow the groups of students out, leaving all the buildings behind to find my car. Without a care, I toss my belongings onto the back seat and follow the highway to Phoenix Airport.
The trip is short, only a ten-minute drive away from campus. Aeroplanes fly over my head as I zig zag through the crowds to find the gate number Willow messaged me. I spin around on my heels, searching the faces that surround me.
My eyes stop on fiery red hair which is pulled into a high ponytail. Willow is sporting an oversized white shirt with thirteen stitched across the front and back, while her black denim shorts are just visible as the shirt hangs over.
“Willow!”
The red-haired girl runs over, her purple suitcase trailing behind. “Jaz,” she pulls me into a tight hug, her lavender scent is a comfort after months apart.
Our car ride home is filled with conversation—mostly gossip, laughter and excitement. Willow continues to poke fun at my hesitant partnership with Theo and the attraction I wish would disappear.
She tells me all about her adventures in Nevada and how her preseason training is progressing. The season starts in less than a month, so she is excited. I’mproud of everything Willow does, she has received a lot of push back—usually from men, but Willow is not a quitter.
“Speaking of hockey players,” I say, clearing my throat.
“Don’t even mention his name,” Willow hisses.
“I have already told Jayden off, so don’t stir him up.”
“Fine, let’s forget about everyone and get drunk.”
I burst into a fit of laughter. “You read my mind,”
***
“Shot. Shot. Shot.”
The chanting in Frankie’s bar is background noise as Willow and I down our third shot of the night. The migraine that will appear in the morning as well as the angel on my shoulder, is telling me to slow the fuck down. But I haven’t let loose in so long. The last time I tried I was nearly assaulted so that put a damper on the night.
I forgot how much fun Willow and I have together. Especially when we are severely drunk. I have lost count of the number of drinks we had since Willow and I had a shot before we left my apartment.
Someone tugs at my arm, forcing me to fully acknowledge where I am. Willow is once again pulling me onto the dance floor, screaming something along the lines of: “this is my song.”
We dance the night away, but after running out of breath, I find the two of us a table.
“This is so much fun!” Willow screams, as if I’m not next to her. “I’ve missed you. My friends in Nevada are bitches.They just want to fuck someone on the hockey team and think I’m their way in."
“You don’t need them. I’ve always got your back.”
