Page 122 of Counter Bet

5 months later.

Emily.

I close the trunk and bite down hard on my bottom lip to stop myself from squealing with excitement. The day is finally here. My bags are packed, and I’m ready to set off on the long drive to college. I’m anxious about what lies ahead and not seeing my friends and family every day, but I’m also excited. The last couple of months have been hard, and I’m more than ready for a fresh start.

Ben and Dallas left me alone after that night. It was hard to accept at first, and I spent weeks working my way through a heap of complicated emotions. I wanted them to fight for me, but I never wanted to talk to them again.

Despite the occasional lingering look in the hallway or cafeteria, they kept their distance, which I’m grateful for as it allowed me time to heal. The wound still hurts, but I’m no longer walking around like a zombie, haunted by images of them laughing behind my back.

It was a huge relief the day I took off my cheer uniform for the last time and folded it up into a neat little pile. It felt like shedding an old skin that I had outgrown, and the old Emily, who placed such high expectations on herself until she felt like she was drowning, was laid to rest.

Hailey clears her throat behind me, startling me from my thoughts. Her eyes are glassy with tears as she wraps me up in her arms. Leaving her behind is going to be the most challenging part of all of this. She’s been by my side for as long as I can remember. She and Rick are my oldest friends.

Hailey struggled, too, these last couple of weeks after she and Jamie decided to break up, knowing they wouldn’t be able to do the whole long-distance thing. It was bittersweet.

I stroke her hair and hold her to me as she cries softly against my shoulder. I knew this day would be difficult, but nothing prepared me for this.

“I’m going to miss you so much, Em,” she whispers.

My eyes sting with tears. “I’ll miss you too.”

We sway side to side, neither of us wishing for this moment to end.

“Promise to visit me.”

I smile against the crook of her neck. “You know I will. You’re my best friend, Hailey. Nothing will ever change that.”

She nods, then takes a step back and grabs my hands. “And I will visit you, as often as I can.”

“Have you packed your things?” I ask, stroking my thumbs over the back of her hands. Rick has already left for college, and she’s going tomorrow.

“All packed and ready. My parents insist on following me there in the car despite the thirteen-hour drive.”

I squeeze her hands. “They love you. It must be hard to see their only child go to college that far away.”

My mom clears her throat. “Don’t I know it! It’s not any easier because you have a sister.”

Hailey pulls me in for one last hug. “Phone me every day!”

“Morning and night.”

Next up is my mom. She crushes me to her until I feel like my head might pop.

“You behave over there, young lady.” Her voice is thick with emotion.

“I promise!” I’m not too old to admit that I will miss her hugs. And her cooking.

“You need to phone us every day!”

I laugh. “I will, mom. You’re squeezing me to death.”

“Kiddo, come here,” my dad says when mom finally releases me. He holds me for a long moment. “You phone me if a boy hurts you, okay? I don’t care about the distance. I will drive over there with my shotgun.”

“You don’t own a shotgun, dad.”

He chuckles. “Old man Grant down the road does. I’m sure he’ll lend me his.”

I look up at him with an affectionate smile. “He was asking for Elvis Presley in the grocery store last week. I doubt he remembers where he placed it.”

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