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She’s hesitant Fearful She joinsout there," she says

I’rateful I am for her company "I knoish it’d hurry up and snow already"

"Me, too It feels wrong for it to be this cold without it"

There’s an uncoeneral state we aren’t saying I’ to come up with another neutral topic when she asks, "How’s Josh doing?"

The blood drains from my face

Sanjita doesn’t notice She pokes at her fries "I felt so bad for you guys when he had to leave"

This unexpected s onI think he’s okay We broke up last month"

"You did?" She raises her head in surprise "But you were perfect for each other"

The floor dips "You thought so?"

"Of course And you’d been in love with him for, like, ever Thathi understood – really and truly understood – is profound The emptiness inside of me transforms into an instant flood of e that’s ever happened to s sway "So rong?"

"I liked him – I loved him – but I don’t think he loved me the same way in return"

Her shoulders fall "He broke up with you"

"No I broke up with him"

She winces "Oh Ouch"

"I know"

But her frown only grows "I don’t get it You guys were glued to each other I saw the way he looked at you He never looked at Rashmi like that"

My heart stops I could never ask Nikhil, but…Sanjita

"Wh-ere they like as couple? Your sister and Josh?"

She shrugs, and her long earrings sway again "I don’t know They bickered constantly I think they were more similar, more stubborn and deterether, but why it never could’ve lasted There was no balance"

Josh and I had balance Didn’t we?

"Not like she ever told " Sanjita scowls "But, from the outside, it seemed like they’d both be better off with partners ere softer Like you"