Page 11 of Love and Other Chances

I love that you send me a variation of the same photo every year

Have to celebrate where the love of your lifetime started

LANA

Thank goodness you and Amaya ditched me for Lake Games that year so Mateo had the chance to swoop in and rescue me

Let’s not forget me talking some sense into you to get back together. I deserve an award

LANA

I hereby dub thee Queen of Accidental Matchmaking. Please appreciate the time I took to capitalize

LANA

Now go have fun supervising the fun!

I slide my phone into my skort pocket, smiling to myself. Each year, Arrow hosts a big social at a nearby lake overLabor Day weekend. It’s a chance for students to participate in games and relays, plus get free dinner. Mateo stepped in to patch up Lana’s heart when the guy she’d crushed on all of college led her on one too many times at the Lake Games senior year. It was the initial spark of their ridiculously lovable relationship, so I can’t resist an annual text to Lana about it.

Today has largely been planned by Lucas, one of the single guys who joined the staff team the year after I did. He asked me out, and we went on one date last year. But I immediately knew we weren’t compatible as a couple. Thankfully, he was cool about it, and things have been mostly not awkward between us. Which is good, since we can’t avoid seeing each other an average of four times a week. I’m secretly hoping that he and Gina might hit it off this year.

One of the perks of being a staff member is that I can assign myself to oversee various events as opposed to participating. Dirty lake water is low on my list of pleasurable experiences. I’d much rather spend the day socializing on land than steeping in the fish pee.

Hours later, I’m driving a car full of TriAlphas back to their sorority house. Normally, I’d blare music to encourage car dancing, but the girls are all chattering so enthusiastically that I leave the volume low. Hearing them talk about the fun they had today, the connections they made, and their excitement for the year hits me in my feels.

I really do love this job.

But lately, little flickers of doubt about my future on staff have started popping up. This year will finish out my initial commitment, so I’ll have to decide by spring break if I’m going to recommit or not. Twelve months ago, I wouldn’t have even dreamed that I’d be considering other possibilities.

Although this job provides ample variety to spice up my daily schedule, lately, I’ve been feeling a restlessness I can’t explain. It started last spring when an AOPi I was mentoring was in the middle of student teaching. Processing life with her each week brought back all the memories of my time spent in schools doing practicums and my final semester of being in the classroom full time. Although I felt confident in my decision to accept the offer to come on staff with Arrow, a part of me has always felt a little bit sad about not using my special education degree.

My near-breakdown last month probably didn’t help matters. But I’m feeling more balanced and level-headed after just two Wednesdays with my church small group. However, hearing Brooks’ passion for teaching at small group gave a dose of caffeine to that niggling career restlessness.

After parking in front of the TriAlpha house, I hop out to go inside with the girls I’m dropping off. I’d love nothing more than to take a shower and relax after a long day, but I want to say a quick hello to anyone hanging out in the common areas.

I manage to keep my time short but sweet, reconnecting with several sophomores I already know and meeting two new girls. I’m heading through the foyer to the front door when I hear my name.

Nothing could have prepared me for the moment I swivel on my heel and end up face-to-face with Bailey Williams.

Amaya and Lana are not going to believe this. What’s with all these blasts from the past?

Like a tiny pebble in your shoe, Bailey was a constant irritant to our time in college. She was the president of TriAlpha at the same time Amaya was the president of AOPi, but Bailey’s condescending remarks about our sorority started our freshman year.

Of the three of us, I had the most cordial relationship with Bailey, possibly because I worked with her on social activities for Arrow a handful of times. Or maybe because I’m the least ambitious of our squad. Her snooty attitude toward us and AOPi didn’t rub me quite as raw, but it drove Lana and Amaya crazy. And I’ll defend my Beefs to the death, so I stayed distant from Bailey throughout college.

A half-second assessment reveals that nothing has changed about Bailey. At least, not outwardly. Her hair, makeup, and outfit are styled to perfection, just like always. Even her eyebrow raise at the sight of me evokes intense déjà vu.Of course, I would run into her after spending six hours in the blazing sun having my hair blown apart by the Kansas wind. Fantastic.

“Bailey?” I recover quickly. “I can’t believe it’s you! What are you doing here? I thought you moved to Texas?”

A look flashes through Bailey’s eyes that I can’t quite decipher. She responds, “I was in Texas, but I moved back here to Brooklyn acouple of weeks ago. I’m the new assistant nutritionist for the athletic department at Townsend. Since I’m back in town, I signed up to be one of the chapter advisors for TriAlpha. Are you still on staff with Arrow?”

“Yeah, I am!” I reply, covering up my mixed feelings about seeing her again with an extra chipper voice. “We just finished Lake Games—I’m sure you remember that.”

Bailey huffs a laugh. “Paddling around the lake collecting giant rubber ducks isn’t exactly a forgettable experience. It was fun the first couple of years, but I can’t say I’ve missed that particular event. Good for you to keep it going.” She says this with a smile, but I can’t read if she’s being sincere or patronizing.

“Well, it was nice seeing you again. I have a Bible study with some TriAlphas, so I’ll probably see you around.” I say this with a smile, but I’m not sure if I’m being sincere or forced.

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