Page 33 of Patiently Yours
It was inevitable. My relationship was always going to fall apart beyond repair, and I was always going to need her. The sorcery that Derek held me under was meant to break away, so Rory was determined to be here when it did.
“I don’t know how to properly… express,” I choke slightly on the unexpected emotion, “how grateful I am that I have a friend as wonderful as you, Rory.”
She scoffs at me. “You don’t have to expressshit.”
My eyes widen at her response as a saturated laugh comes out of me. “Your Sagittarius sun is showing, Cranny.”
“And your double Pisces is showing, you crybaby,” she jokes tenderly, swiping at my wet eyes.
“Fuck you, I have a lot of emotions.” I shove her shoulder with just as much affection. “Still, thank you.”
She waves me off. “Enough. Let’s get to the good stuff. Your scent matches.” She puts away the final item before resting her elbow on the counter. “I’m guessing they are, since you haven’t said a word about last night.”
I feel the excitement that I felt last night returning. It almost feels like a dream, one I’m going to wake up from any moment.
“Yeah, they are.” I try to smile casually.
Rory rolls her eyes. “You can be ecstatic, you know? It’s a wonderful thing. And you deserve wonderful things.”
She’s right. Of course she’s right. Even the guys said it last night, and I’m still practically a stranger to them. But my inner adolescent still has a hard time believing it, especially when she remembers the months following her newly-awakened designation. I don’t have to think too hard for my parents’words to invade my thoughts. They’re seared in me and replay on a loop: over and over and over while being pushed into my subconscious.
“Stacia, your phone is buzzing,” Rory tells me, and I finally register the soft vibrating against the counter. I blink away my negative thoughts before grabbing it.
Ciro (12:47 pm) The guys are bugging me for your number.
Ciro (12:47 pm) I told them no, not until I get your permission. I think they really want me to start a group chat already.
Ciro (12:48 pm) Fucking alphas, amiright?
I giggle softly at his texts, relieved to finally hear from him.
“I guess I know who that is,” Rory retorts with a chuckle. “Let me know if you guys make plans so I don’t have to hunt you down. I’ve got some revisions to do.” She makes her way out of the kitchen as I turn back to my phone.
Stacia (12:49 pm) What are we going to do with them?
Stacia (12:49 pm) You can give it to them, but let them know I’m not the best texter
Ciro (12:50 pm) I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. Any text from you would probably make them purr.
Ciro (12:51 pm) Don’t tell them I said that or they’ll punch me.
The text makes me giggle out loud.
Stacia (12:52 pm) Your secret is safe with me!
The dots show up and I wait, but it takes a few minutes for a new text to come through.
Ciro (12:56 pm) So, what are you doing tonight?
That’s it?I thought he was writing a whole manifesto.
Stacia (12:56 pm) No plans other than doing my homework. Bleh.
Ciro (12:57 pm) Awesome!
Ciro (12:58 pm) Not the homework. Sorry that text was impulsive. I wanted to see if you’d like to go to a party with me and Kendall tonight.
I stare at the message with concentration. I haven’t been to a party since that awful night, but I really want to spend time with them.
