Page 279 of Seasons of Love
That Sailor Moon keychain proved once again to be my all-time luckiest possession because that had to be one of the best man-drooling moments of my entire life. Considering I spend a lot of my time ogling men, that says a lot about the quality of Coach’s goods.
Justin heads off while I spend some time looking through the footage he sent me. Even though I only work at the school part-time, I still have my own desk, conveniently positioned opposite Coach Dempsey’s.
Okay, so maybe I moved my desk a little. But no one said I couldn’t, so I guess it’s okay.
I contemplate adding another inspirational quote to his collection, but I think he might kill me, so I better wait until Christmas. Who knows, maybe he’s a Christmas person.
Everybody loves Christmas, right?
I reach out to pick up my phone when I hear the Lady Gaga ringtone I picked for my best friend.
“Juju, my beautiful doll, don’t tell me how hot it is out there because I’m close to turning into a human strawberry-flavored popsicle. No one ever told me Connecticut was in the Arctic Circle.”
She laughs, and the sound warms me from the inside out.
“I don’t need to tell you, honey. You grew up here, and you know the way back too.”
“Don’t start…”
“I didn’t. You did. Anyway…I was wondering if you’re coming for Thanksgiving this year since you missed last year.”
I pull the hem of my pink top. It’s fraying a little, and with my picking, it frays a little more. “I can’t, Juju. We have a game.”
The sigh coming from the other side of the line makes me feel super guilty.
“Bubble, last year you’d just taken that job at the coffee shop, Spilled Beans. This year you’re also coaching on top of that. Are you ever going to come home?”
No?
“Of course, silly. I’m just having such a great time here.” I gasp. “I have an excellent, no, scrap that, a superlative idea. Why don’t you come over for Thanksgiving? You can watch the game, and then we can spend the weekend eating our weight in cake and watching movies. Yes?”
“I can’t, hunni. We’re training for a competition. I could try to make it for Christmas.”
I try not to show my disappointment through my voice. I miss her so much.
Since my grandmother died, Juju has been my only family. We’re not blood-related, but we may as well be with how close we are.
“I’ll hold you to that. How’s everything else?” I ask, even though I’m not sure I want to know.
“We’re going to nationals, as expected.”
I hear the excitement in her voice and try hard not to feel jealous that I can’t be part of that world anymore.
“Of course, and I bet you’re going to win. Again.”
She giggles but then stops and lets out a long sigh. “You should be here with us, Bubble.”
“Yeah, but I’m not, and there’s no point in crying over spilled glitter because that shit’s a bitch to clean.”
“How can you be so positive after everything that happened? After what that two-timing liar snake did?”
“Because I’m genuinely happy here, Juju. You know I always loved baking with my grandmother, so the job at Spilled Beans in Chester Falls is perfect. My boss, Indy, gives me free rein in the kitchen, especially now that he and his husband have a kid and he wants to spend more time at home. And I love coaching the cheer team too. I’m doing the two things I love the most. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”
The award for Best Liar goes to…Bubble! And the crowd cheers…
“I suppose you’re right,” she says.
“So get your perky ass out here for Christmas, or else,” I warn. “But bring extra layers on top of your extra layers because seriously, sister, this place in the winter is an icicle on steroids.”
