Page 104 of The Fake
She inspects it, turning it around and trying to read the small scrawls and drawings.
“I don’t really expect you to wear it. It’s likely to fall apart before the end of the night, but I want you to know how much you mean to me and how excited I am about every day. Not just the future where we have jobs and fancy apartments, but even today when all I can give you is this.”
She holds it up over her heart, just like Gabby did with her giant engagement ring. “I love it and you.”
And the thing is, I know she does. Paper isn’t as valuable as diamonds, but when filled with sentiments from the one you love, it’s just as precious.
Epilogue
Chloe
Six Months Later
“You want a drink?” I offer Bri a cup.
She raises one eyebrow and makes no move to take it. Finally, she says, “No way, I want to be impossibly fresh when we land in Bangkok tomorrow. Three days, MacPherson, and then I finally get to kick your ass.”
“Oh, God, you’re going to be impossible to live with this summer.”
She smiles smugly, and I pour myself a double. Tomorrow Bri, Sydney, Emily, and I all fly to Thailand for the first in a series of international tournaments. Camilla and Jill will be there, too. One last summer to play volleyball and have fun with my friends before I “join the real world” as my dad keeps phrasing it.
“Chloe!”
My name being yelled across the room causes me to look up and see Gabby craning her neck and standing on her tiptoes to be seen.
“See you tomorrow morning,” Bri says and gives me a little condescending wave that I know is in good fun. Well, she really does want to kick my ass in match play this summer, but it’s only because she sees me as real competition and that makes me smile.
“Come on, we need you.” Gabby takes my hand and pulls me toward the stairs.
“Who iswe?” I ask, laughing as her short legs pump quickly, and she tugs me behind her.
“You’ll see.”
When we reach the second-floor gym, I’m not surprised to see it shut. The room is usually locked during parties, but the small window on the door is covered with black paper so I can’t see in. That’s new. Gabby knocks three times so hard her little body bounces back from the impact. I can hear music and people inside. Joel and Vanessa are the only voices I can pick out.
The door swings open, and Nathan appears. He smiles big, wearing his blue graduation cap from earlier today with his usual jeans and a plain t-shirt. His hair has grown out and is tucked behind his ears. Flashes of color dance around the room from the party lights hanging from the ceiling.
“What is this?” I ask, laughing as I look to the group. My graduation cap is forced onto my head by Gabby, who now wears hers as well.
“It’s our graduation party.”
“And what’s that downstairs?” I ask, amused. The house is jam-packed with people who came to celebrate the end of another school year.
“That,” Joel says, pointing down. “Is for them. This is our party.” The music gets louder, and he dances around. Katrina laughs at him until he sweeps an arm around her and then dips her backward.
A flask is pushed in front of me, and I quirk a brow at Nathan as I take a drink.
“Tequila?” I ask, coughing from the burn and handing the flask to Gabby.
“Someone let Vanessa choose,” Blair says and shudders to show how much she dislikes it, but she takes a drink when Gabby hands it to her anyway.
“Hey, Zeke,” I say to the big, quiet guy hanging back. He’s got a basketball in his hands and he and Wes are the only ones without caps since they graduated last year.
“Good to see you, Chloe.”
“Alright, are we doing this now that everyone is here?” Joel asks, taking the ball from Zeke.
I look around, trying to discern whatthisis as the guys huddle together.
