Page 125

Before the chaos and corruption and realities oflifeswept us off our already unsteady feet and dragged us under—wave after wave, crashing into us, tearing us down… tearing us apart and away from each other…
Tears well in my eyes, blurring my vision, but not enough that I don’t see his lips move, mouthing two words that force my heart to beat in a steady rhythm again. “I’m sorry.”
I smile, encompassed by nothing but sadness, and mouth back, hoping he’ll understand, “Me too.”
There’s a part of me that wishes I could elaborate, but I don’t think I need to.
He’s sorry, and so am I.
And everything else is insignificant.
“Are you working too, Harlow?” Sammy asks, and I blink out of my daze and turn to my friends.
They’re both watching me, expecting me to say something. “I’m sorry, what?”
Sammy jerks her head to the seat beside me, and it’s only now I realize Jonah has joined us. He smiles, that same goofy, lovable smile that had us becoming fast friends. I lean into him, a small gesture to show that I love him, and I miss him, and I appreciate him for far more than he could possibly know. “Jonah was just saying he’s DJing a line dancing night at your work on Saturday,” Sammy tells me. “Are you working too?”
I shake my head. “No.” Then I drop my gaze to my tray of food again. I’m reminded of my first day here, of how Jeannie and Sammy welcomed me with open arms. Before me, it had always been just the two of them. They didn’t ask about my past when it was all everyone could talk about. They protected my name, even when I wasn’t in the room. “But you guys should come,” I say, holding my head high. My chest fills with warmth as I watch the genuine smiles take over their faces. “It’s a family thing, so there’s no drinking or anything, but we could all go together. It might be fun?”
“Yeah?” Jeannie asks, her excitement clear.
“We can make a whole thing out of it. You guys can come over earlyon Saturday, and we can get ready together, dress up, do each other’s makeup.”
“I love it,” Sammy says, clasping her hands over her heart.
“And my dad’s not home, so you can stay over.”
“Like a slumber party?” Jeannie coos.
“Question,” Jonah interrupts, and I’m sure we can all predict what comes next. “May I please join you?”
“No boys allowed,” Sammy answers for all of us.
I turn to my friend, holding his arm to my chest. “Sorry, Jonah.”
“Let’s do it,” Jeannie says, her smile so wide it causes my own.
Sammy claps quietly, her grin matching her cousins. “I’m so excited!”
“Me too,” I tell them, and I really, truly mean it.
80
Harlow
The parking lot of the rink is packedwith cars, and I’m surprised there aren’t any kids loitering around like there are on Sundays. Bass vibrates against the glass door as I push it open, my friends only a step behind. We stop just inside, our arms linked as we take stock of the place. It’s changed.A lot. There are only a few themed events the rink does a year, and this is the main one. The overhead lights are dimmed, replaced with colored spotlights and one massive disco ball above the makeshift dance floor. “Is that a mechanical bull?” Sammy squeals.
“They really went all out,” I say over the music.
“Harlow!”
My eyes whip to Amber, running toward me with her Anna fromFrozendoll. I drop low, ready for her spear tackle of a hug. It’s the same way she greets me whenever she pops into the rink with her parents. After a tight embrace, she backs up in my arms. “Look, it’s you,” she says, showing me her doll. “I named her Harlow.”
“I heard,” I say. “It’s such an honor.”
“Can I see your doll?” Jeannie asks, bending down beside us.
“She’s so pretty,” Sammy coos, switching her attention from the doll to Amber. “And you are adorable.”