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TODAY IS A GREAT DAY

BELLA

Eight months ago

December

Now that I’ve finished all my exams, the only thing I need to worry about is my design project. I put a lot of time and effort into it. I just hope my instructor sees that.

Kaden and I head to the dining hall for lunch like we do pretty regularly, but I’m too nervous to eat, so I stick with just a soda.

Eager to distract myself from going crazy while I wait for Mrs. Hopkins to post our results, I open Instagram. At the top of my notifications is a new follow request. The handle is @I_love_my_Corgi222, and the profile picture is an adorable orange and white corgi.

My heart pangs at the sight. I miss Milo.

I navigate to @I_love_my_Corgi222’s profile and scroll slowly through the handful of pictures of dogs.

With a sigh, I hit accept and follow them back.

Maybe if corgi pictures pop up on my feed, it’ll keep me from missing my four-legged buddy back in Boston.

If the person behind the profile bothers me, I’ll block them.

As I’m locking the screen, JoJo steps into the dining hall and heads our way.

“I saw your project.” She stops at our table and slaps her hands against it, frowning.

Across from me, Kaden’s eyes go wide, and he shrugs.

“Okay,” I mutter, picking up my soda. “So what?”

“I can’t help but think about the conversation we had when you saw mine.” She narrows her eyes. “You were so impressed… Oh, you’re doing Scandinavian ,” she says in a high-pitched, mocking imitation of me. “ That’s my favorite .”

Anger boils inside me, and I screw the cap onto my soda bottle with more force than necessary. Who the fuck does she think she is?

“And? Scandinavian style is my favorite.” I set my bottle down with a thunk. “All my sketches are in Scandinavian style. Always have been.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit!” she snaps, crossing her arms. “You saw my design and worried Mrs. Hopkins would choose me over you, so you figured you’d rip me off.”

“Seriously?” I cock one brow. “From the moment we were given the assignment, I knew what style I’d use. And once I saw yours, I made sure my project was totally different. Pictures. Sketches. Everything.”

I did see her designs. I did like them, and I told her so. I even told Kaden about it. Does she really think I’d stoop so low as to copy her designs when Mrs. Hopkins expected original work?

“JoJo,” Kaden says, his tone almost bored, “the two of you may have chosen the same style, but I’ve seen your work and Izzy’s, and they’re nothing alike. Mrs. H always says we need to address our inner artist and not mimic things we’ve seen. Izzy did her thing, you did yours. That’s all.”

“Figures you’d take her side.” She raises her voice, drawing the attention of the students sitting around us. “You’re so desperate to get into her pants, it’s pathetic.”

I reel back, my breath catching. What the hell is her problem? Kaden has recently started hanging out with Olivia, another student in class. Shit . The last thing I want is for JoJo to spread lies and make Liv second-guess spending time with him.

“That’s enough.” I stand and step close to her.

“No, I don’t think it is.” JoJo puts her hands on her hips and glares.

I take a deep breath, channeling all the calm I can find within myself. “If you have something to say to me, be my guest. I’m sick and tired of you and your pretenses.”

“You came here thinking so highly of yourself, as if you’re better than the rest of us because you’ve fucked two NFL hotshots. In reality, you’re just a whore. No one believes that bullshit story about you getting involved with Alexander Walker after your breakup with Jake Miller.”

If she thinks her words will hurt me, she’s wrong. Dr. Khan has helped so much in the few months I’ve been in therapy. For the first time in my life, I’m strong and confident. I finally know how to stand up for myself. It’s liberating. I’ll never go back to how I used to be.

“Do you know what I think about your breakup with Alexander Walker?” she snips.

“You look like you can’t contain yourself, so please, tell me.” I smirk. “I don’t want you to explode.”

“When he reunited with his college girlfriend, he couldn’t stop himself from falling in love with her all over again.”

I raise another eyebrow, silently encouraging her to continue. This just gets more and more entertaining.

“And he realized he doesn’t need someone like you in his life. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

Xander isn’t with Stacey, and he hasn’t been.

Though when I saw pictures of the two of them after our breakup, I knew I made the right decision.

I was devastated—not only because of the rumors that he’d moved on, but because I was the one who made it happen.

I pushed the love of my life right into the arms of another woman.

So, I blocked him everywhere, cutting all ties once and for all.

I shake my head, my smile growing. “Your imagination is…wild.” Though initially my body went into fight mode, now I can breathe easily, and my heart rate has evened out. “Also, you read too many gossip blogs. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

JoJo’s eyes widen like she’s surprised, though the way her face reddens makes it clear she’s also pissed.

“Right,” she scoffs. “I’m pretty sure I’m right about your breakup.

Your face was all over social media. The happy couple, ready to take the big step.

Then, bam! —your boyfriend was photographed with his college fling. ”

With a shrug, I snag my purse off the table. “See you in class, JoJo.”

Rounding her, I head out of the dining hall. I need a few minutes to myself so I can catch my breath. Therapy has done miraculous things for me, but some wounds are deeper than others. Some are still tender. My breakup with Xander shattered my reality. It left me in ruins, but…it was my choice.

I read his statement. I believed him when he said he wasn’t with Stacey. But I don’t want to go back.

I’m determined to focus on my future, and he doesn’t belong in it.

Mrs. Hopkins is headed into the classroom as I round the corner, moving as quickly as I can without running.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble as I step inside and dart to my table, keeping my head down. It’s my last class of the day, and I can’t wait to be home. Alone.

“It’s okay, Ms. Lawson.”

I’d hoped Mrs. Hopkins would start the class with a discussion about our projects. Instead, she spends most of the time explaining what we can expect from her classes next semester.

Near the end of our allotted time, she picks up her iPad and surveys us. The smile she wears calms my anxiety. Everything’s going to be alright.

“I want to congratulate each and every one of you on the successful completion of my course this semester,” she says.

“You all did an excellent job, and I was impressed with your ideas.” For a moment, she’s silent again, her eyes wandering from one student to another.

“I was a bit surprised,” she finally continues, “with the style so many of you chose for your projects. I was sure Ms. Lawson was the only one so passionate about Scandinavian style, but there had to have been ten other projects with similar elements.”

I sneak a glance at JoJo. Her eyes are wide with shock. It’s definitely not something she expected to hear.

A smile pulls at my lips as I sit back and listen to Mrs. Hopkins talk about which projects she loved the most.

“Bye, Lawson.” Kaden winks at me. “Call you tomorrow.”

I wave at him, then at Olivia. “Bye, Liv.”

When the two of them stroll out of class holding hands, I let out a sigh of relief.

It feels like everyone is sticking around to chat after class today, blabbering about their plans for winter break.

All I want is a quick word with Mrs. Hopkins, but if I don’t get out of here soon, I’ll be late to my appointment with Dr. Khan.

I’m still patiently waiting my turn, scrolling through Instagram, when I realize JoJo is still here.

Dammit . The last thing I need is another confrontation.

When it looks like the student who’s speaking to Mrs. Hopkins is finishing up, I stand and pack my things, then shuffle to the front of the room. Just as I approach our instructor’s desk, there’s a presence at my back. I don’t even turn my head. I already know it’s JoJo.

“Yes? Isabella? Joanna?” Mrs. Hopkins glances between us.

“I wanted to ask…” JoJo folds her arms. “How similar were our projects?”

Mrs. Hopkins takes off her glasses and puts them on her desk. Rubbing her eyes, she sighs. “Do you really think I wouldn’t notice if two students turned in very similar projects?”

“I—” JoJo starts.

Mrs. Hopkins locks her gaze on JoJo’s, making her fall silent. “Is that all, Joanna?”

“Yes.” She bows her head. “Thank you.” With that, JoJo leaves the room.

“Isabella?” Mrs. Hopkins smiles at me, her eyes warming. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“No, um—I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas.” I dig through my bag for the gift I got her: a Moleskine planner and a postcard. “I’m incredibly happy to be in your class. You’re an inspiration.”

“Thank you so much.” Her smile widens as she takes the gift from me. “You have real talent. I’d be happy to guide you through your journey, and even happier to watch you earn your degree—or land an internship, if that’s the way you decide to go.”

I’m speechless. All I can do is blink. Since day one, I’ve been in awe of this woman, and if I can trust the honesty in her expression, her compliments are genuine.

As I leave campus, a lightness fills my body, one I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced before. Today has been a good day, despite JoJo and her bullshit.

As I head toward Dr. Khan’s office, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I can’t help but smile.

“Hey, Jess.”

“Hey, stranger.” The sound of her voice fills me with happiness. She supported me when I least expected it. I’ll be forever grateful to her for that, and over the last few months, we’ve built a friendship. “I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

I wince. “Sorry. I was buried under assignments and exams. Please don’t take it personally.”

“I get it.” She laughs. “Being an adult sucks sometimes.”

“Totally.” I take in the scenery around me.

New York at Christmas is exceptionally beautiful. The Rockefeller Center tree is lit in a dazzling array of colors. The ice rink in Central Park signals Christmas’s approach. From cathedrals to holiday markets, the city is enveloped in festive spirit, and it makes me love it even more.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Jess says. “Busy with work, wishing I had time to go out to meet a decent guy. But for now, life is giving me pickles.”

“Pickles?” I shouldn’t be surprised by the strange saying. I love Jess’s silly side. She’s adorable and sassy, a total mama bear. She’ll lose it on anyone who offends her friends.

“Wait a second…” She’s silent; the sound of heels clicking is all I hear.

Then she exhales. “Fuckers, not pickles. But I couldn’t say that because an old lady was standing near me in the store, listening to my every word.

I didn’t want to shock her and send her to an early grave!

Can you imagine me killing someone with my lack of manners? ”

I giggle, my heart bobbing lightly in my chest. “That’s impossible. You’re the cutest.”

“Izzy…” She lets out an exaggerated growl. “I’m a mean girl, a real-life Grinch, and you’re perfectly aware of that.”

“I’m also aware that you’re truly kind and loyal, and that you care about your people. A lot.”

She heaves a sigh. “I love you. You’re the best.”

“Love you too.” I can’t help but smile. “Is there any chance you’ll be in New York soon? I decided not to go to Boston for the holidays, so…”

Jess gasps. “Yes!” she cries. “Yes, yes! I’m coming to New York the day after tomorrow. I didn’t mention it because I figured you wouldn’t be in town. But now? I can’t wait to spend time with you.”

“Oh my God! That’s the best news ever.” Despite the frigid temperature, my body warms with contentment.

Today is a great day, and my appointment with Dr. Khan will only make it better.