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That’s not like me to just spill everything like that

Me

8:42 am

hey it’s okay! i won’t tell a soul pinky promise!

Laine

8:42 am

I appreciate it.

Me

8:43 am

and im sorry i suck at comforting. i never know what to say and i always freeze up

Laine

8:43 am

I don’t think you suck.

I actually found you pretty comforting

Me

8:43 am

you really think so?

i’m so glad

i was worried i made you feel worse by not saying anything

Laine

8:43 am

You didn’t.

No one has ever listened to me like that before

Just then, Mr. Rickshaw clears his throat loudly. When I look up, his eyes shoot between me and Laine. I quickly shove my phone into my bag and mutter, “I’m sorry.” I don’t look back, but I assume Laine does the same because Mr. Rickshaw goes back to lecturing about the ideal humidity conditions for crops.

******

By the time the lunch bell rings, Greyson, Jared, Tatum, and I are huddled at our table discussing winter plans, even though we aren’t even past October yet.

“Okay, so we should make our matching sweatshirts the first week of November, then our baking and PowerPoint night the second week, and then Christmas movies during the third and fourth weeks to prepare for December.” Tatum pulls up a schedule she’s made on her laptop.

“No way you sectioned off two whole weeks in November just in preparation for December.” Greyson scrunches his face in disapproval.

“Well, lucky for you, we’ll only have one week of Christmas December prepping because I’m going out of town the first week of November with Laine and her mom, and then I have a tennis tournament later that weekend, so the schedule will need to be pushed back a week.” I fake an eye roll.

“Wait, I forgot you were doing that Blue Ridge trip thing.” Jared chimes in.