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My phone buzzes in the back pocket ofit out, I see that it’s Chloe

S, I answer the call “Should I come? Are you all checked in?” I ask

“No,” she groans “It was false labor I’m on my way home now Sorry, I ruined your birthday”

“Oh, shut up,” I tease my best friend Never in a ize “That’s ridiculous”

“You were supposed to have ht Did you cry the whole time?”

I hear Enzo in the background askingas well, asking to see Chloe has four men who she’s in a committed relationship with, and she’s pretty iving a daht think

“No,” I tell her “I was badass”

She snorts “I’ I don’t believe your badassery, but Harlow--,”

I cut her off “I was I’ a new leaf, Chloe This new me is totally hardcore”

“Sendto see”

I put her on speakerphone and try to get a good photo of h

“Are you sad that you aren’t in labor?” I ask as I snap a few pictures

“I think the guys arewill change, you know?”

“I knoeetie,” I say “But you are going to be an a moh she has a rock-solid support syste a et it?”

“Uh, just a sec Oh, Harlow!” she screeches “It’s a The waves look so perfect And the seal’s eyes are seriously haunting Your artist did a work”

“I know It’s better than I expected”

“Now I guess you have to be badass this year with your little spirit animal alith you”

“Exactly”

“Hey,” she says, her voice full of irritation “Where are you, Harlow?”

“Just headed home”

“Liar I see the sand in this photo Are you okay?”

“It’s just the beach”

“Not just any beach Harlow, it’s the beach”

I sigh,Chloe is the first friend I’ve ever been so vulnerable with; so honest Everyone else thinks I’ for what I’reatest accomplishment

Not exactly so about

So ould find me

I s, not wanting to cry But the truth ofalways makes my eyes well up with salty tears It makes my belly ache and reminds me how empty I feel inside