Page 8 of Happy Ending

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’t let him, Tatum. He swiped it.

” 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?

” “No,” I say, almost too quickly. Tatum gives me a side-eye, and I scramble to find anything else I know about Thom and Laine.

“They’re good friends.” “Yikes! He’s gotten to her!

” Jared smacks his hands to the sides of his head facetiously.

“Hey, be nice! He’s actually a sweet guy.

” I protest back. “He’s gotten to you, too!

” Jared’s jaw drops exaggeratedly. “Wait, pause. Are you friends with him, too?” Tatum cocks her head and raises a brow at me.

“I don’t know if I’d say friends, but I’ve talked to him at the late-night ice cream parlor he works at.

” “He works at Starry Scoops? That little shop around the corner from Riverside Elementary?” Greyson chimes in, looking just as confused as Tatum and Jared.

“He not only works there, but his dad owns the shop as a second income, and Thom helps him out.” I nod.

Greyson throws his hands up. “See, I told you guys not to judge someone’s character based on rumors.

” “Okay, we get it. You’re right as always, Greyson.

” Tatum scoffs at him, letting a small chuckle slip from her lips.

“He’s a good guy, and he’s a good friend to Laine as far as I know,” I add.

“You know what, speaking of Laine…” Tatum starts, giving me yet another side-eye.

My chest drops as her name is mentioned in that context.

I should have known my friends would figure out something was going on.

After all, they know me better than I know myself at times.

Jared picks up on my reaction, smiling cheekily.

“Yeah, Drew. Don’t think we haven’t noticed how jumpy you get whenever we mention her.

Or how you change the conversation every time.

” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say in defense, though I know they see right through me.

They all stare me down, and finally, I give in.

“Okay, fine. She kissed me. There! Is that what you’re all dying to know?

” “I knew there was something going on!” Tatum shouts a little too loudly.

“Is that all you guys did? Or are you leaving out more? Come on, Drew! Don’t starve us on the details!

” Jared jumps in eagerly. “Hey, have some respect, man.” Greyson shoots Jared a look from across the couch, and Jared’s wide clown smile softens.

“No, I’m serious, that’s it. We just kissed.

” I pause, debating whether to tell them my recent reservations about Laine or just let them be happy for me.

I decide on the latter. “A lot. Multiple times.” “OooOOooh! You know what this calls for?” Jared shouts, standing too fast and almost falling over.

“Rain dance party outside!” “Are you crazy?” Greyson exclaims, despite jumping from his place on the couch, looking like he’s ready to pounce out the door.

“MY HAIR!” Tatum coos. “I have a sleeping bonnet you could borrow?” Greyson offers, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

Jared pokes at Greyson’s chest with a chuckle.

“A what?” “I sleep with a bonnet. I’m into hair care, sue me!

” Greyson deadpans, sarcastically throwing his hands up.

“I’ll take it,” Tatum says, running over to Greyson’s bag and grabbing a silky black hair cap from it.

“Well, now that that’s settled… YOLO!” Jared pushes past Greyson and beats Tatum to the door, tugging it open and sprinting outside.

I follow suit, running out into the heavy pouring rain, stopping only briefly to yank my socks off, because I’m not a psycho who enjoys putting on wet socks.

Greyson follows shortly after me, tossing his socks neatly on top of his shoes by the door.

Outside, the thunder has stopped, but the rain persists, making for an exciting thrill of a feeling as we scream and dance and twirl around in it.

I look up to the sky, closing my eyes and sticking my tongue out.

I don’t care if the water’s toxic, as I’m basking in the moment with my best friends.

Dancing outside in the rain with them reminds me that they never fail to provide me with a good distraction from whatever the world throws at me, and suddenly this day that started pretty shitty quickly turns into what I can feel will become a core memory of my teenage years.

At this moment, I am present. I am here.

All of my problems feel so small, and although I think of Laine twenty-three hours a day, I’m thankful that I can let her slip my mind for just this one with my friends.

****** I’m exhausted once I get home, worn out solely from the one hour on my feet, having the time of my life in the rain. My clothes are dripping wet as I slip them off and ring them out over the sink in the laundry room.

Shivering, I run upstairs to my room in my bra and underwear and hop in the shower. My shower is quick, and I hum a little tune as I’m patting my hair dry afterward, still riding the high from tonight.

As I put on some comfy pajamas and head over to my bed, I notice an envelope addressed to me sitting on my pillow. My chest sinks as I read Roy Sterling in the top right corner, with a Maryland return address.

Immediately, the jubilant feelings from my eventful night turn into a knot in my chest as I open the envelope and read the letter enclosed inside.

01/23/25 Drew,

Hi sweetie, it’s been a while. Dad here.

I wanted to let you know I’m doing well!

I started my own real estate firm and business is booming!

I wish you could be here to celebrate the business’ successes.

We started very small, too small to survive a day in Georgia, but we finally made it to where I had hoped this business could go!

We’re looking to expand down south now, so maybe I’ll see you soon.

I think of you every day. My greatest regret is leaving you and your mom down there and not being more a part of your life.

But I would like to try, and I want to be more involved with you and your mom.

I know you are achieving great things, and I want to hear about them!

You were always a smart cookie, and I know you’re going to go far in college.

I hope you can find some time once you graduate to come visit me up here in Maryland.

It’s cold, but my business partner has a daughter around your age and she has plenty of warm coats you could fit in!

Anyways, jokes aside, I really hope to see you soon, my ladybug.

Love you, ? Dad

Anger boils inside me as my eyes focus on the heart next to where he signed Dad , and see the old pet name he used to call me, ladybug, written in his handwriting.

How could he write to me nine years after leaving and act like everything was normal?

Flaunting the bright, successful life he built for himself without the burden of me holding him back.

How could he expect me to just fly out and visit him after all these years when he couldn’t even bother reaching out?