Page 58 of Patiently Yours

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I sit on the couch between Uriah and Ciro, and watch as the flames of the candles flow back and forth and then up, stagnant. I think of my wish—grateful that they’re not singing happy birthday right now—before closing my eyes and blowing them out.

They extinguish, and there’s a few claps from them before Kendall pulls out the cake cutter. As they start to distribute pieces of cake, I think about them. This moment. My wish.

Please don’t let this be a dream.

THIRTY

Playing: Paralyzed by NF

Sunday

Unknown: hanging out with Uriah’s asshole band members now too? does he know that you’re planning to fuck them behind his back?

Unknown: Happy belated birthday, btw

Monday

Unknown: Slut

Stacia: Seriously, Derek? Go away

Unknown: why? can’t handle the consequences of your actions?

Wednesday

Unknown: you’re not going to get rid of me that easily, Stacia. might as well not block me and make this a bit easier for both of us.

Stacia: Why can’t you just leave me alone?

Unknown: why couldn’t you leave me alone instead of leading me on? if you wanted to fuck some of my teammates, you didnt have to date me to do it.

Stacia: didn’t*

Stacia: Fuck. Off.

Thursday

Unknown: I’m sorry, Stacia. Can we please go somewhere so we can talk about this?

Stacia: No

Unknown: I need closure

Stacia: and I need you to stop being delusional

Unknown: I need you to stop being a bitch and tell me why you’re doing this to us

Friday

Unknown: They’ll never love you, Stacia.

Unknown: You think they’ll still understand you when they see who you really are?

Unknown: Your parents see the truth. I see it. Every omega is the same, and you don’t get to pretend you’re any different.

Unknown: You’ll see.

THIRTY-ONE

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