Page 74 of Hypothetical Heart
“How’s the lax season going?” I ask her.
I know she already signed to Saint Claire’s on a full ride and that she’s carrying the current team, but I like hearing it from her.
“Pretty good, we could use some work on the defensiveend, but other than that, I think we have a good shot at states.”
“Have you gotten any other offers?” Last I heard, she had D1 offers from almost every school in the country.
“The Ivy leagues were all fighting over me for a bit, and USC, Stanford?—”
“Basically, every school in the country,” Genevieve finishes for her.
Briar smacks her arm. “I was trying to be modest, Valley.”
“No need,” I tell her. “Accomplishments are a good thing, not something to be ashamed of. Plus, I like hearing about it.” She nods in thanks.
“Well, are you guys going to any after-parties?”
“Are you hosting?” Genevieve asks, and Briar nods. “Then we’ll be there.”
“Well, I’m leaving now to go set up, but I’ll see you guys soon!” She waves as she walks away and a few moments later, Eloise follows after her.
Winnie has somehow migrated to the other side of the circle, and I head toward her.
“Are we leaving?” she asks.
“Pretty soon,” I say, clutching her waist. “I think Gen and E are going to Briar’s house for an after-party, but we don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“No, I want t?—"
“Okay, then we’re leaving!” Genevieve’s yell cuts her off. “Who’s going to Briar’s after party with us? We’re leaving!”
Winnie looks over at me with wide eyes. “What’s the rush?” she whispers and I shrug, having no idea.
“Are you still okay going?” I ask as we all exit the ballroom, waking through the parking lotand toward the limo.
She smiles up at me. “Yeah, of course. I want to be wherever you are.”
“Anywhere you are is a good place to be,” I reply, grabbing her bicep as she steps into the limo.
“I’m glad the feeling is mutual.”
23
MAY
The morning of the gala goes entirely different from how I had expected.
In all honesty, when I fell asleep last night I could vividly imagine Madame Bacri showing up at my front door bright and early, ready to make us practice from sunup to the time we had to start getting ready.
Shockingly enough, I woke up on my own and moseyed down the stairs like I had nowhere to be. The only thing on my mind when I walk toward the kitchen is a nice cold glass of orange juice, but that all changes when I enter the kitchen and I see the familiar, beautiful head of blonde hair sitting at the kitchen island.
“Good morning!” Winnie says with a cheery smile.
“Hey, Win.” I can’t help but smile looking at her. “What are you doing here?”
“I invited her,” my mom says as she walks from the living room into the kitchen. “We’re all going to breakfast.” Of course I would never be one to turn down a meal from Taylor’s Diner.
When we get back from breakfast, Winnie and I headdown to the basement of my house to practice our routine a few more times, all because I’m nervous about messing up. By the time we’ve run through it at least a dozen times, Winnie stops me.
