Page 83 of June

“Why does she think she doesn’t fit in?” Rory asked.

“She’s got more questions than answers about what she wants to do with her life, and I think seeing everyone there looking like they all have things figured out is a big part of it.”

“She’s only twenty years old. Who’s telling her that she has to have everything figured out?”

“Her parents,” Enid said. “And I get it. I’m in between myself right now and don’t know what the future holds. I just wish we could have talked. She said we would, though.”

“That’s good,” Rory said. “When do you see her again?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t planned it yet.”

“Are you going to campus today?”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Enid replied.

“You should go check on her. If she sends you away – oh, well. But you can at least stop by and see if she’s okay.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Enid said.

CHAPTER 20

“What is wrong with you?” Jodie asked.

“Why are you in my room?” Caroline asked back when she walked into her room after taking a shower and found Jodie there alone.

“You texted me.”

“Like, two hours ago.”

“I was busy,” Jodie replied.

“Well, I’m in a towel, so…” She motioned for Jodie to leave the room so that she could get dressed.

“Why are you freaking out? Because you met a few of her friends.”

“It was, like, ten of them, I think. And I’m not freaking out. I’m about to call her, actually. I wanted to apologize. I really like her. I just had this moment where I felt too young and too far behind everyone there, so I started thinking about my parents and how they wanted me to be more than I am, how I’m disappointing them, and I don’t want to disappoint Enid, too.”

“You’re being ridiculous. She knows how old you are, and you told her that you don’t know what you want out of school or a career yet. Stop letting your parents get into your head and just be with the pretty girl already,” Jodie reasoned.

Caroline laughed and replied, “That’s easier said than done, but it’s not Enid’s fault, so if you would just go now, I can get dressed and call her before Viv gets back.”

“She’s gone for the night.”

“What?” Caroline asked as she ran her brush through her hair.

“She said she was heading home. Her mom wanted her to, I guess. Her dad is having an operation. Standard thing, but her mom needed her.”

“She didn’t tell me that.”

“She texted us both. You might have missed it.”

“I’ve been ignoring my phone today. I was afraid Enid would text or call before I was ready to talk to her. Is Viv’s dad really okay?”

“She told me it wasn’t anything to worry about.” Jodie shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll leave, but call Enid, Care.”

“I’m about to,” she replied.

“I’m going to run out and grab some snacks,” Jodie said. “I’ll be back in about an hour if you want to hang out.”

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