Page 50 of What I Like About You

I frown at my phone, confused because this is so different from Nash’s reaction IRL. To Halle, Alanna is trash and it’s hard to admit fandom. To Kels, he says it’s okay to still love the book. Is it me, Halle, who gets the truth? Is he just telling Kels what he thinks she wants to hear?

do you think so?

8:24 PM

huh, i actually kind of feel better about it all. thanks.

8:25 PM

I’ll see the movie with you.

8:26 PM

Well, not, like, WITH you. Obviously. But we could go opening night and debrief after?

8:27 PM

let’s do it

8:28 PM

We sit like this on Molly’s couch, together as Nash and Halle, but talking as Nash and Kels. And I can’t help but think it’s funny, the way you can be literallyso closeto someone, but somehow closer with words and social media accounts and pixels in between.

Nash to Kels, at the party

Also quick Halle update: There has been Progress! We had a conversation that didn’t end in awkward silence!

8:45 PM

And honestly, it’s all thanks to the F&Y mess?

8:46 PM

[typing]

8:47 PM

[bubbles disappear]

8:48 PM

NINE

Karaoke is terrible.

Byterrible, I meanamazing. One dude, Adam, stages a dramatic reading of “Achy Breaky Heart.” Two girls named Louisa and Rebecca belt an off-key rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Turns out, being surrounded by so many strangers isn’t as anxiety-provoking once everyone starts singing off-key.

I’m hanging by the air hockey table with Autumn and Nash, away from the main karaoke action. Molly appears in the space between us, her previously perfect curls loosened to soft waves in the humidity of the crowded basement.

“It’s so great you’re here,” she says to me.

“She knows about the bet,” Autumn says.

“Autumn.”Molly’s eyebrows pinch with concern when she turns to face me. “I really thought you wouldn’t come. But that doesn’t mean I’m not glad you’re here.”

“It’s fine,” I say, looking down.

“No, but seriously,” Molly says. “You know we want you around, right? Sometimes I think you don’t know that.”

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