Page 173 of All at Once

Maybe that’s why I also used to feel so behind from people my age. Youth, I realize, feels lost when you don’t recognize how you should have been treated when you were younger until you get older.

I know how much I’ve grown in the past few weeks let alone the past few years. And if they don’t want to see that, it’s no longer my problem to make them see it.

If I’m not normal in their eyes right now, I’m afraid I’llneverbe.

I guess this just makes Luca even more special. That he didn’t just try to reassure me that my doubts, desires, and frivolousness are allnormal. But for the fact that he loves me because of my quirks and chaos that set me apart from others.

Besides, I’d much rather bemyself. The whole unrealistic, imaginative, dramatic, complete version of it that they find so utterlyabnormalandfoolish.

They say that you receive certain signs when you really need them.

Istillbelieve that when my phone lights up with Luca’s name on it. This alone brightens up my whole face, and everything else just fades into background noise.

It’s in this moment that I’m reminded again that life will never be perfect. Yet, with Luca, it feelspretty damn close.

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3 Weeks Later

After three weeks of nonstop texting and FaceTime calls, when Luca’s name appears on my phone again, a joyous warmth still rushes over my entire body as I read his message:

Luca: Any fun plans for the day?

Jasmine: Georgia and I are going to have lunch by the marina :)

Luca: What’s your favorite restaurant there?

Jasmine: Probably the French café. That’s where we’re going

Luca: I used to go there all the time. Now I want their parmesan fries

Jasmine: I’ll save you some

Luca: Perfect

Giggling at his wit that’s palpable even through my phone, it’s a given that I wish he was actually here.

Putting our exchange on a temporary pause, Georgia and I arrive shortly after to our favorite spot by the marina. The same seaside restaurant that we came to on The Fourth of July last month. And the same one we’ve been coming to for years where you’re guaranteed to spot a cute guy.

If there’s an attractive guy walking by right now though, I wouldn’t even notice. My mind’s pretty stuck on thisone annoyingly gorgeous guy…

But also not wanting to turn into someone who suddenly neglects her friends just because she’s dating someone, I put my phone away as Georgia gives me an amused glare. “Still texting Luca?” she asks.

Before I can even respond, my phone vibrates again. Fighting the urge to check his latest response, I eagerly reply, “Yes.”

She smiles. “Well you can respond if you want.”

“No. It’s okay. I’ll respond later.” I exhale all the tiny, scattered butterflies out of my system as I collect myself. “So do you know what you’re ordering?”

“I think the branzino tacos. Do you want to share the parmesan fries? I don’t know why, but I’m really craving them.”

My eyes lights up at the reminder of Luca’s message. “I was just going to suggest that.”

“Jasmine,” Georgia’s voice hints coyly before I look up to meet her even more mischievous eyes.

My brows furrow, while I put my menu down. “What?”

“I think you know that guy,” she comments with a knowing smile.

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