Page 83 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Shit, Sofe… what am I supposed to do with that? He’s my best friend. If it doesn’t work out or he breaks your heart—”

“Because that’s the only way it can end, right? Him breaking my heart?”

Jesus, boys were so dumb sometimes.

But he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the truth.

“That’s not what I mean. I just…”

“You think it’ll be any different if you break Poppy’s heart? She’s my best friend.”

“Yeah, well, you never have to worry about that because me and Poppy are endgame.”

I snorted. Aaron Bennet, everybody. Overconfident, self-assured goofball.

But it was also kind of sweet that he felt so secure in their relationship to be making declarations of forever.

“We used to tell each other everything,” Aaron said.

His wounded expression hit me right in the chest.

“We’re not kids anymore, Aaron.”

“No, we’re not. So I guess I’ll just have to get over it. You’re my favorite sister and Kandon is my favorite friend. It could be worse, I guess.” He got up and put his empty glass in the dishwasher.

“Aaron, I—”

But he stalked out of the room without so much as a goodbye.

I was still sitting there, numb, when Mom walked in.

“Sofia, you’re up.”

“Hey, Mom.”

“What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” She helped herself to a glass of water and leaned against the counter.

“Aaron is upset about Cole.”

“He’ll come around. He loves you and he loves Cole. He just needs some time to get his head around it. But you know, it’s probably not a good idea to keep—”

“Mom, please.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.” She held up her hand in surrender. “I wish I could fix this, sweetheart. I wish I could wave a magic wand, and everything would be okay.”

“Me too, Mom. Me too.”

“But you and Cole are good?”

“I guess.”

“You know, baby. It’s okay to keep living, Sofia. In fact, it’s important that you do. Your prognosis doesn’t mean life has to stop. If anything, you need to embrace it. Make it a reason to do all of the things you’ve always wanted to do.”

“Like a bucket list?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” She came around the island to me and cupped my cheek. “You deserve the world, sweetheart. Nothing can take that away from you. Not even leukemia.”

“Thanks, Mom.” A tear slipped free, but I inhaled a deep, calming breath, refusing to give in to the swell of emotion.

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