Page 95 of Do You Ship It

He laughs. ‘It sounds just weird enough, if you ask me. And those are really bloody good, Cerys. Nowcome on. You’re late enough as it is!’

I really am, and we make it to the train station with three minutes to spare. Dad spends the whole car ride asking me with great interest about the show that’s inspired my recent artwork and helped me forge new friendships. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts watching it when he gets home.

Anissa’s waiting nervously between the platform and the car park, and I swear I hear her sigh of relief through the car window when she spots me and waves.

‘Thanks for the lift!’ I say, already hurtling out of the car.

‘Of course. Have a nice time with your not-internet friends. And – Cerys.’

I pause, not quite shutting the door, a bit agitated because he sounds serious, and I really don’t have the time for some lecture. Mum already did that. I ended up having to swap numbers with Heather/@silversmithhhso we could FaceTime and Mum could see she was a perfectly normal nineteen-year-old woman. Still, I try not to sound too annoyed when I say to Dad, ‘Yeah?’

He grins. ‘Those paintings arereallygood. Maybe you can show me and your mum some more of your work properly sometime? And show us what we’re missing with this series, if it’s inspired you so much.’

‘Er … yeah. Yeah, okay. I actually have a showcase coming up with college in a couple of weeks for the Eisteddfod … Maybe you guys could come to that?’

‘Cerys!’ Anissa yells. ‘The train!’

I shout a last goodbye to Dad and leg it over the bridge with her to the other platform. As we collapse into some seats, my heart is thundering, but I think that has more to do with the adrenaline rush of what today is about than the dash for the train.

I’ll get to meet everyone, this odd collection of friends I’ve come to know and cherish over the last six months and never would’ve met without OWAR; and, more importantly, it’s the first time I’ll be seeing Jake since the fireworks party.

And Max. But I’m not thinking about Max.I am not – thinking – about–Max!

My stomach in knots, I unlock my phone to look again at the last few texts with Jake to try to reassure myself.

Me

Hey, I just wanted to say I can’t wait to see you tomorrow at the meet-up, Anissa mentioned you were definitely going. I’ve missed hanging out with you x

Jake

Me too. I’m sorry Cer, my head’s just been all over the place. Everything after the party was just … I dunno, it’s a lot to explain?

Me

I really never meant to hurt you

Jake

I know. Me either. I’m sorry. See you tomorrow? X

The texts might be short, but they feel honest andweightyin a way his other texts lately haven’t, and ever since, I’ve been toying with an idea I can’t quite shake. A grand gesture, as per TheNew and ImprovedPlan.

Something I know I’ll regret if I don’t do.

Because, really, there’s only so long we can do the constant messaging and flirty banter over Discord while pretending like we’re keeping each other at arm’s length, isn’t there? I know it feels safer and lessscary when we use OWAR as a bit of a front, but that doesn’t make it any lessreal.

I thought I didn’t want to ruin the friendship we’d salvaged, but – it’s so muchmorethan that, isn’t it? My long-time crush. The endless late-night conversations. His reaction to the kiss with Max. That’s not justfriendship, is it?

‘Are you okay?’ Anissa asks me. Her leg hasn’t stopped jiggling, but she’s nervous for different reasons.

I turn my phone screen off, and take a deep breath before smiling. ‘I’m perfect.Todayis going to be perfect. I think … Nis, I think I’m going to tell him how I feel.’

She beams at me, showing the gap in her teeth, and gives an excited wriggle in her seat. ‘About time!’

I laugh. ‘Is it that obvious?’

‘Youbothare. Never mind Moonsilver, I’m shipping “Mythicrascal” these days.’

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