Page 127 of As You Walk On

We’re not rushing it. Like a deep cut, this wound needs sufficient time to heal. One day, we’ll be TJ and Birdie again.

At least, I hope.

“Don’t listen to him,” says Dad, gently folding an arm around Aleah’s shoulders.

Unlike with me, she’s fallen right back into a comfortable relationship with him. It only took one long, clumsy call from Dad to her. The irony has been eating me alive.

“Mario’s sarcastic and stubborn,” Dad comments. “Big Capricorn energy.”

“It’s why you like me,” Mario retorts.

Dad smiles sweetly. Watching him turn into a schoolboy around Mario as a kid was confusing but tolerable. Now, though? It’s kind of cute. Sickening, yes, but it’s as if Dad’s getting his big moment too. I love that for him.

“My niece is right.” Mario claps my shoulders. “You look... what do the kids say? Tight?”

“Jesus, Uncle Mario.” Aleah laughs into Dad’s shoulder.

The doorbell rings. It’s River, Darren, and Bree arriving. We barely have time for hellos and twirling in our outfits before Dad and Mario corral us for photos.

“Look at all of you!” Dad cheers. “Future CW stars!”

“Dad!” I shake my head.

Darren has a laughter meltdown. Bree can’t use his pocket square fast enough to clean the tears off his face. They make a sweet couple. Darren was already a teddy bear, but Bree brings out something new in him. He’s a lot more fearless. I’ve also caught him checking more than one of our teammates when their jokes have gotten out of line.

“Okay, besties next!” Mario calls out.

It’s weird standing shoulder to shoulder with Darren. A month ago, this would’ve been TNT. After HoCo, this is all Jay talked about. The three of us at prom. When did he change his mind? When did he decide winning his parents’ approval meant more than our friendship?

“Can we hold off on more photos?” River requests.

They pull away from the traditional standing-sideways-in-front-of-your-date pose with Aleah to check their phone. It’s cool River and Aleah are each other’s “friend date” tonight. I don’t know if Aleah would’ve come if River hadn’t asked.

River’s definitely going to steal more than a few looks in their fitted plum suit with a long, satin train.

I wish Makayla was here too.

She hasn’t been around much. With only a month before graduation, Makayla deserves space to shed the bullshit she’s dealt with for years. She quit the cheer squad. Distanced herself from some of the girls. I respect her choices.

She’s skipping prom too.

“I don’t want the attention,” she told me last week when we ran into each other after school. “Time to work on me. Prepare for the future.”

I wonder if it has to do with her posting that video.

The response was pretty big. I don’t think Makayla expected it. The applause from strangers in the halls. Other students speaking up in the comments. During classes or in Brook-Oak’s quad. Sharing their videos across social media.

She’s started a mini revolution.

“We have to wait on Luca,” River asserts, fingers flying across their phone.

“Yes,” Dad agrees, eyeing me with a suspicious grin. “Let’s wait on this boy that has my son texting at the table when he thinks I’m not looking. Staying up past curfew to FaceTime.”

My mouth drops open. I want to self-combust.

Dad and Mario smile like it’s a secret joke between them.

I’m officially no longer a fan of their rekindled connection.

---