Page 11 of Before We're More Than Friends
Alex
This is your daily reminder to never take a road trip with three other people and a dog. Your sanity could be at risk.
Chloe
Why would I need a reminder for something I’d never do?
Alex
You said you’d never start a small business while still in high school, but you did
Chloe
Those are two completely different situations, buddy
Alex
Wth don’t call me that
I feel like I’m talking to a bully
Chloe
Okay sweet pea
Alex
Hold on lemme find the block button
Chloe
Good luck
I rolled my eyes, though a smile shaped my lips. Alex was the only person who could satisfy my waiting room boredom. But a wave of sadness crashed over me as I thought about how much he’d been dreading this move.
I couldn’t relate to how he felt. Though I’d lived in Nevada my entire life, it was nothing more than a place I lived in. The only place that struck home to me was my bedroom, also known as my office for my jewelry business, Raining Gems. It had everything from my stationery to jewelry supplies to my notebooks to books and whatever else I’d collected throughout my entire life.
But I knew how much Alex’s home in Dallas meant a lot to him. And knowing he wouldn’t be there anymore—out of theblue, given that his mom had only told him a few weeks ago—made me hurt for him.
It was nowhere near as bad as having your dad on house arrest for potentially committing tax evasion, but it still freaking sucked.
Closing my eyes, I leaned my head against the wall.Don’t think about it.
I sent Alex a message, wishing him well on his road trip, before opening social media. My personal account was private and didn’t have many posts or followers, but Raining Gems had moderate success with two thousand followers and active engagement. My most recent post for my amethyst line had gotten over two hundred likes.
I answered a few DMs before I checked some stories. Isabelle’s was one of the first ones at the top, of course. I clicked on it without hesitation. This time it was a selfie with her boyfriend and that freaking dog filter, both of them smiling like they were still in the honeymoon phase. From the ocean in the background, I knew they were at the beach. Again.
Kind of coincidental that when she moved away to live with her dad after her parents divorced, her life turned into a social media fairy tale while my life became the pits of family issues and intrusive thoughts.
The waiting room door opened, and my psychologist and therapist, Susanna, peeked her head out and grinned at me. “Raina, I’m ready for you.”
“You don’t have to say that when I already know,” I said as I got up from my chair, adjusting my glittery belt.
Susanna laughed, her dark curls bouncing. “It’s part of the job.”
I smiled and followed her into her office. What I loved about Susanna was her bubbly and caring nature—and her office showcased that. Pictures of her family, friends, and pets coveredthe walls. Her bookshelf was full of encouraging books and entertaining reads. Piles of notebooks lay on her desk next to her cups of pens. Encouraging sayings in Italian were on each wall. The chaotic and upbeat room had my approval for a great office.
“Good afternoon, Raina,” Susanna said as she sat at her desk. “I know you’ve had the week from hell. Want to talk about it?”
