Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,77

Carson came by. They helped me arrange my room so all of my furniture that I had kept was set up just like I liked it. When we were done, they went downstairs to see how they could help my dad, and the girls and I spread out in my new, smaller space.

“What do you think?” Callie asked.

I smiled at the room, at the sheer white curtains over the window facing the community’s common grounds, a bright yellow blanket slung over the only chair in my room, in my closet that was practically overflowing with clothes. “It’s home.”

Ginger grinned at me. “It is pretty nice, but I'm definitely going to miss the hot tub.”

I managed to laugh. “You and me both.” This move wasn't without losses. I had also gained my dad, and that was the most important thing.

Rory looked down at the floor, picking at a fleck of paint left on her finger.

I frowned. “Are you and Beckett okay, Rory?”

Her lips tugged down in the corner. “Honestly, I'm still a little mad at him. I can't believe he knew Ronan and didn't say anything to me.”

I hugged a pillow to my chest, trying to shove down the guilt I felt. “I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to come between you guys.”

Quickly, she shook her head. “That's not your fault. And honestly, it was our first fight since we've been a couple. It gave me a chance to see how we would handle it.”

“And?” Ginger asked.

Rory shrugged. “We talked it out. I understand why he wanted to keep Ronan’s privacy. But I also told him that if something is affecting my best friend, he better tell me.

I smiled at her. At all of them. “I'm so lucky to have you guys.”

Callie tilted her head, grinning. “I agree. You guys made my senior year so much fun.”

“I can't believe we only have a few weeks left,” I said.

“And,” Rory added, “only a week until your birthday.”

I ran my hands over my face. “Don't remind me.”

“What?” Ginger teased. “You're finally going to be able to buy lottery tickets and you don't want to be reminded?”

Laughing, I said, “No, it's just I don't really have a plan.” All the years before, Dad threw big blowout parties for me where he invited all of his friends and I pretended like I wouldn’t rather be doing something a teenager would enjoy. This year, though, we had nothing. I’d be surprised if Dad even remembered it with how hard he’d been working.

“That's fine,” Callie said, “because we've got you covered.”

My eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”

She gave the other three a conspiring look. “Let's just say eighteen’s going to be epic for you.”

With a smile, I said, “Low key is just fine. I think I've had about enough ‘epic’ to last me a lifetime.”

As long as I had my dad and my friends, I knew everything would be okay.

Forty-Seven

When I woke the morning of my eighteenth birthday, Dad was already at a meeting to sign the final papers on the sale of our old home. Giving my keys to him the night before so he could pass them on to the new owner felt like a loss all its own. The place we’d called home for years was now a place we couldn’t return to, but there was also freedom in knowing we were letting go of old patterns, old priorities.

For whatever reason, I felt different. Maybe it was the fact that I was finally an adult. Or that I was in such a different space—physically and emotionally.

As I went to the hall bathroom to get ready for the day, I checked my phone, scrolling through message after message. I leaned against the sink, reading each one.

Rory: Happy birthday, Zara! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you as a friend, and I can’t wait to give you your present!

Jordan: HBD! Secretly wishing you still lived with me so I could have filled your room with balloons or something this morning. Love you, girl.

Ginger: Have you bought any lottery tickets yet today??? Hope you find a winner! ;) But seriously, I stinking love you. I never would have been able to find my happily ever after without you telling me I deserved one. I hope you know how amazing you are and that you will ALWAYS deserve the best – today and every day of the year!

Callie: Happy birthday!! I can’t believe the school year is almost over and that we only