My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,67
only be fun. And maybe it should continue being that way. But I don’t know. We’re not good about talking about what we’re feeling.”
“You know, I don’t think most people are,” Natalie said honestly. I looked up at her. “Seriously. In movies and books, we tell people, ‘You just need to talk and tell them how you feel.’ But in real life? Do we do that? No. We hide, and we get embarrassed, and if someone announces how they feel, we think they’re either coming on too strong or will feel horrible later. Sometimes, you need to take your time and think about it, not just blurt out what you’re thinking.”
I smiled.
“You’re right. And I need to remember to live in the moment. We only have a little over a year of school left. I can’t live my entire life surrounded by boys.”
“You’re not,” she said.
I rolled my eyes. “It sure feels like it. I spent the first two and a half years of college with Sanders, and now here I am, two months in with Pacey. Boys, boys, boys.”
“While going to school, dealing with thesis issues, kicking ass in those classes, finding a new home, making friends, and doing a thousand little things for others. You’re rocking it, and it’s not just about boys.”
“Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome. I mean, sometimes I would like my life to be about boys, but I will forever be the virgin of the group,” she said and smiled softly.
“Have you wanted to date?” I asked honestly.
“Not really. I haven’t found anyone that I want to take on and deal with.” She rolled her eyes. “And that sounds horrible. But I don’t know, I’ve just been busy, and finding someone to even enjoy some time with seems like a big thing right now. I’d rather focus on school and see what happens.”
“That’s smart. I mean, look what happens when you start dating someone, and things get super complicated.”
“Things might be complicated, but you’re happy. Remember that.”
At that moment, Nessa came up behind Natalie, her eyes wide. I almost cursed, but instead, I looked up and smiled.
“Hi, Nessa,” I said.
“You look great,” Nessa said and held up something shiny. “When I saw you, I thought of these.” My eyes widened as she handed over some dangly earrings. “What do you think? Will they work?”
I looked at them and then at her. My heart swelled, even as it twisted a bit. We were all trying so hard to be okay with everything, but feelings were feelings, and you couldn’t make them go away. Were these earrings an olive branch? If so, I’d take them.
“They’re beautiful.” I took out the studs I had on and slid on the shiny little dangly pieces, smiling into the mirror.
“Corinne bought them for me,” Nessa said softly, and Natalie discreetly wiped a tear as I looked over at Nessa.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Nessa, thank you.”
She just shrugged, her smile a bit sad. “She had great taste. And so do you. I just wanted to say have fun tonight. Seriously.”
I wanted to reach out, do something. Instead, I simply blinked away tears and smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, don’t be late because we both know how Pacey hates tardiness,” she said and then winced. “Is this weird?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Not if we don’t want it to be or make it weird. Not that we would ever want it to be. And that’s a strange thing to say,” I said and put my hands over my face. “I suck at this.”
“Oh, I think I’m worse. Now, I am going to study because I have an exam coming up and I haven’t been focusing as I should. But, seriously, have fun.” She gave a little wave and went off to her room.
Natalie stood in the corner, frozen like a statue, her eyes wide. And then she held up two thumbs and grinned.
I smiled back and figured that I was one step closer to the friendship I wanted. At least, I hoped so.
Dinner with Pacey was excellent.
We shared a small pizza from an actual wood oven, as well as a side of pasta with cheese. I was so full, I felt like I could burst. Now, we walked towards his house, his arm wrapped around me as I leaned into his side.
“Thank you for driving,” Pacey said, and I laughed.
“It was my turn to drive. So sorry you had to deal with me picking you up and dropping you off.”