Maybe This Time(65)

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi,” she said back. She put her eye shadow into its makeup bag, then burst into tears.

I let my backpack slide off my shoulder and onto the floor. I rushed to her side, tears pouring down my face as well.

“I’m sorry, Soph,” she said. I knelt down and hugged her tight, and was so relieved when she hugged me back.

“Me too,” I said. “Really sorry.”

“I’ve missed you. I can’t live like this, without you.”

“Me neither.” Just her saying those words seemed to put back together something inside of me. “You were right. I have been a snob. And I have dreamed of nothing but leaving this town and I was rude and judgmental and hard to be around.”

“No.” Micah sniffled and pulled back from our hug. “I mean, yes, you kind of were, but I’ve just been scared to lose you. You’re right. I’ve taken something that happened to you, your dad leaving, and acted like it was some sort of omen of the future.” She shook her head. “I know you’re not him. I know you would never forget about me.”

“Never.”

“And I’ve kept you away from your one true love.”

I started to nod but then her words sank in. “Wait, what?”

“Andrew.”

I laughed a little, drying my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“I wanted you to be with someone from Rockside, someone like Kyle. I hoped it would keep you here. So from day one I’ve tried to get you to ignore this connection you have with Andrew.”

I covered my face with my hands. “That wasn’t your fault at all. Andrew and I don’t need any help being at odds.”

“Believe me, a little push was all you needed from the beginning,” Micah said. “Instead I’ve been pulling you both away from each other. Please don’t be even more mad at me.”

I chuckled. “I’m not. He’s not my one true love.”

She groaned. “See, I’ve talked you out of him. You hate him because of me.”

“Andrew’s fine. I mean, I can see why people like him. I definitely don’t hate him. We get along now …” I trailed off. “Oh no.”

“See! You love him.”

Fear gripped my chest. Holy crap. She was right.

Well, okay. I didn’t know about the love part but … I couldn’t deny it anymore. I had feelings for Andrew Hart. I had feelings for someone who was not only leaving in less than two months, but who was so far out of my league that we technically should’ve never met in the first place.

“He’s leaving in like six weeks,” I said. “It’s too late to figure this out.”

“I know. That’s my fault!”

I squeezed her hand. “Stop. It’s not your fault. Has he said anything to you about where they’re going next? Has his dad picked yet?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“I just … There was this lady who applied who lives nearby. I met her sister at that benefit. I thought maybe …”

“Oh!” Micah brightened. “I hadn’t thought of that. That could work. We have to make that work. It will be my penance.”

“What’s my penance, then?” I asked.

“Just stop being a snob,” she said with a smile. “And come back and visit me on every major holiday. You can do the flowers.”

I laughed. “No flowers, but I’ll be here.” I swiped beneath my eyes. “Look at us. We’re both a mess.”

She turned toward the mirror. “I just did my makeup too!” She pulled a makeup wipe from her just-in-case and handed it to me. “Guess we get to start over.”



As we worked on our makeup, side by side, I couldn’t help but smile. When my eyeliner was fixed, I reached for the small bowl of assorted candy Micah always kept on the dresser next to her mirror. I plucked a Hershey’s Kiss from it, unwrapped the candy, and put it in my mouth.

“Why did you bring a backpack?” Micah asked, nodding toward where my bag had dropped in the corner. “Planning on doing homework today?”

“Ugh, my design journal is in there. But, also …” I scooted over to my bag then dragged it back to Micah. “I was in Everything the other day and I found something.” I undid the zippers and pulled out a tall rectangular box with two lenses on the front and several knobs on either side.

Micah peered at the object. “What is it?”

“A vintage camera. Someone must’ve cleaned out their attic and didn’t realize what they had. Tell me this isn’t cool?”

“It’s cool … but I didn’t know you liked cameras.”

“Not me. It was cheap.” Sort of. “I thought Andrew might like it. We could give it to him for Christmas.”

She took the camera from me and turned it over a few times in her hands. “Are you seriously trying to tell me that you didn’t know you liked Andrew before today?”

“I … apparently don’t know myself very well at all. I’ve learned that lately.”

A knock sounded at the door, followed by the sound of Andrew’s voice. “It’s me. Can I come in?”