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“The process takes time! You don’t understand.”

I’m trying to,I want to say.

Her words sting just a little, but we’ve finally got to what feels like the stability we had at the beginning of our friendship, so instead I pick my voice up and change the subject.

“So when can I meet your new friends from Holy Trinity?”

“I don’t know. They’re really busy.”

“Okay, when can I see you?”

I hear her sigh through the phone. “I’m also really busy, Drew. Between the project and this new leadership role in Youth Group I’ve taken on with Holy Trinity, I’m going to be really swamped for the next few weeks.”

I try to shut down the disappointment brewing in my chest because I know she means well, and I know how important this project is for her. It would be unfair of me to get in the way of it. But still, part of me wants to be let into her new life. To meet her new friends. To reallymeansomething to her outside of our comfortable little bubble.

I will admit, as much as I’ve enjoyed this bliss with her, I can’t help but want more. Maybe that’s selfish of me, and don’t get me wrong, I am beyond grateful to even be able to see her soul inways I never thought I would, but I want to be something beyond the playground or the walls of her house.

******

Rain pours and thunder roars as Friday rolls around. As I make a quick run through the rain to get to my car and go to Jared’s, I imagine what it would be like to bring Laine around my friends.

They don’t know what we are, but they know that she and I are close, and I know that if they knew how important she was to me, then they would love her just as much as I do.

Loveher.

It’s a new word that I’ve never used to describe her, but it feels so right.

When I arrive at Jared’s, I go around to the side door leading to the basement, trying not to slip on my way downhill.

“Hey! Glad you could make it, Drew.” Jared gives me a quick hug as I slip off my coat and take off my wet shoes. “Um, did you happen to bring any ice?”

“I did.” Greyson’s voice booms behind me as he steps into the basement, shoes squeaking with each step he takes.

“Great, thanks! You know me so well.” Jared does the Guy Hand Smack Thing™to Greyson and grabs the bag of ice.

“Jared! Why do you always have the booze but no ice?” Tatum barges in behind Greyson, her umbrella still open as she steps inside. Tatum has always been protective of her braids, as she explains that getting them is a whole day event. Apparently, protecting them from getting wet is more pertinent than avoiding bad luck.

“Listen, it’s easy to take a bottle or two from their parties and bring them down here. It’s not so easy to lug ice downstairs.Besides, what would I even put it in? It’s not like they have bags of it sitting there. They get their ice from our fridge.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” Tatum rolls her eyes in defeat and steps around me and Greyson, jumping on the couch.

Greyson and I join Tatum on the couch while Jared pours everyone cups of prosecco.

“Just water for me. I gotta drive home,” I chime in, standing to head to the sink and filling an empty cup with tap water.

“Suit yourself,” Jared responds, filling three cups and handing one to Tatum and the other to Greyson while balancing his own against his chest.

“You know, Jared, I feel very sophisticated drinking prosecco instead of cheap beer. I’d like to give a special toast to your parents for providing this.” Tatum raises her Solo cup, then takes a swig.

“Well, technically, they didn’t exactly provide it. I swiped it.” Jared laughs, still raising his cup regardless.

“Still, they’re cool for letting you do that.”

“They didn’tlethim, Tatum. Heswipedit.” Greyson’s brows furrow as he takes a sip from his cup.

“Oh, don’t be so dense, Greyson! You guys know what I mean. They’re cool for even having these extravagant parties every weekend.” Tatum nudges Greyson’s arm, causing his prosecco to slosh around in his cup.

“Soooo Drew…” Greyson turns to me, clearly deflecting the conversation. “I saw Laine and Thom at the cafe down the road from school. Do you know if they’re together?”