Page 127 of The Cupid Chronicles

I lean back. Matteo doesn’t own one red thing.

And messy?

If it’s possible, my heart sinks even lower.

“He’s the least messy person I know,” I say to the newspaper.

I quickly snatch up the newspaper and re-read the caption.

“I don’t want a soulmate if it’s not him,” I say in my mostforceful,I mean business,teacher-tone. “Do you hear me? I don’t want it.”

I slam the newspaper back down on my desk, angry tears spilling down my cheeks.

I’m done with you, magic.

Done.

“Hey, there you are!”

I wipe my cheeks and look up to find Brooke standing in the doorway.

“We’re about to open the doors.” She takes a few steps closer, then gives me a quizzical look. “Oh. Hey. Is everything okay? Did something happen?”

I shake my head, then fold up the newspaper.

“You look upset,” she says.

“No,” I sniff. “I’m good. Promise.” I tuck the newspaper back in my bag.

“You also look hot,” she says.

A laugh escapes as I come out from behind my desk and meet her by the door. “Thank you for helping today.”

“Of course,” she says. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

The words hang in the air, and I grab onto them with both hands.

Friends.

I have friends now. Good friends. Today, Brooke and Liz spent the entire afternoon helping me set up, hanging artwork on the walls of the gymnasium, hanging pipe and drape around the space so we could hide the fact that it was a gymnasium, rearranging furniture to give kids and parents places to sit and talk about the art pieces. We also set up blank canvases with paint supplies for anyone who wants to try their hand at creating a masterpiece—an idea I came up with that I hope will be really fun.

I couldn’t have done any of this without them.

We walk through the hallways, and when we reach theback doors of the gym, Brooke pulls the door open and leads me inside. White twinkle lights illuminate the space, and jazzy instrumental music plays quietly through the speakers.

Liz is standing over by the food table with Nicola and Val. We start walking toward them, and Val lets out a low whistle. “What a knockout!”

I shimmy and do a little turn, ending with an awkward curtsy that I instantly regret.

“You look gorgeous,” Nicola says. “It’s so great that you’re going all out for these kids! They arenevergoing to forget this.”

“They were so excited to dress up, I couldn’t let them have all the fun.” I glance at a few of the third-grade boys, who are in mini suits, vests, and ties. One of them has a fedora. It’s absolutely adorable.

“There’s a whole crowd of people waiting in the lobby,” Liz says. “Iris, this event is going to become an annual tradition.”

“You’ve done an amazing job,” Brooke adds. “I can’t even believe it. We should all look for ways to celebrate our students more. I’m inspired.” She gives a little shimmy. “Plus, who doesn’t love a chance to dress fancy?”

My friends are all looking gorgeous in their semi-formal attire. Val is wearing dress pants and a sparkly sweater, and Nicola is in a cute blue cocktail dress with her hair swept up and away from her face. They’re both stunning, and it’s fun to see them out of their usual uniforms.

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