Claudia and her new friend Ramona decide to meet once a week at the public library to chat and critique each other’s work. After exchanging a few short stories, it’s clear that Ramona has a stronger sense of storytelling, but Claudia’s prose is more elegant.
“Too bad we’re not one person,” Claudia jokes.
“‘With our powers combined…’” Ramona grins. “But hey, at least we can learn from each other, right?”
Claudia nods in agreement.
Later that week, Claudia surfs her usual websites, a combination of celebrity gossip and publishing industry news. Scrolling at the speed of light, she stops abruptly. What was that last headline?
THE WORDS BENEATH YOUR WINGS
Short story contest
Grand Prize: 1 roundtrip ticket to anywhere
She quickly scans the rules and deadline, then squeals with joy. She has two weeks to write a kickass story and win a trip to wherever she wants!
She tells Eli about the contest over dinner, but he just says, “Mm,” and nods. His gaze never strays from the college basketball game on TV. March Madness indeed, Claudia harrumphs.
On Monday, Claudia hurries to meet Ramona, eager to tell her about the exciting opportunity. But as she drives to the library, she wonders, Should I tell her? What if she enters? What if she wins? Her ideas are so much better than mine…
Suddenly Claudia isn’t so eager anymore. She trudges into the library and heads for their usual table in the corner. Ramona is already there, a smile lighting up her freckled face. She waves. Claudia feels too ashamed to wave back.
Maybe she won’t even want to enter. I mean, two weeks isn’t that much time. Plus she’s focusing on her novel. And even if she did enter, so what? We’re friends. I’d be happy for her.
Right?
“Hey there,” Ramona interrupts her thoughts. “What’s new?”
Claudia hesitates, but only for a moment. Then she smiles and says, “Nothing.”
# # #
The morning after MJ sees Felix kissing the girl at the pub, she goes to the lab a few minutes early. She gets two cups of coffee from the cart in the lobby, then waits by the front door. When Felix walks in, she holds out her peace offering.
A huge grin explodes across his face. He grabs her for a hug, and MJ has just enough time to stick her arms straight out in a T to protect their beverages. She smiles and lays her head against his shoulder to reciprocate.
When he steps back, Felix accepts the coffee and they head for the elevator. Though no words have been exchanged, they both feel a huge weight lifted from their shoulders. MJ smiles up at Felix, and he beams back down at her.
Suddenly he cocks his head. “MJ, have you been crying?”
She lowers her face to blow on her coffee — and to hide her blush. “No, it’s just allergies.”
“Oh, okay.”
They spend the morning working in perfect harmony. Once or twice MJ notices Dr. Storm watching her from the other side of the lab, but she refuses to acknowledge him. She just fixed one awkward situation; she has no desire to walk right into another.
While they’re cleaning up, another grad student walks over. The girl from the pub. “Hey, Felix,” she says shyly.
He glances briefly — guiltily? — at MJ before responding. “Hey, Theresa. How are you doing?”
“Good, thanks.” She fidgets with the strap of her tote bag. “I was thinking about going to the pub for drinks tonight, and I didn’t know if maybe you… wanted to join me?”
MJ stares intently at the surface of the table she is scrubbing.
“Uh, I dunno,” Felix says. “Maybe, yeah.”
“Cool,” Theresa says. “See you later, then. Maybe.” She starts to walk away, then adds, “Bye, MJ,” over her shoulder.
On their walk back the dorms, MJ works up the nerve to mention the exchange. “So,” she begins casually. “What was that all about?”
“What?”
She rolls her eyes. “Pub later? Yeah, maybe. Cool. Bye.” Her voice alternates between high and sweet, and ridiculously low.
Felix fake-punches her in the shoulder. “Theresa’s nice.”
“Yes, she is.” MJ swallows. “Do you like her?”
“Honestly?” He sighs and shrugs. “Not as much as she likes me, but a little. So I figure, why not see what happens?”
MJ nods.
He frowns. “Then you think it’s a good idea? You don’t think I’m… leading her on?”
Like I led you on? MJ wonders.
But had she led him on? She went to the pub last night because she realized the same thing he did: she didn’t like Felix as much as he liked her, but she did like him a little, so why not see what happens? Only she had come to the realization too late. Maybe he had a better chance now, with Theresa.
MJ knows she has no right, or reason, to ruin that for him. Isn’t this what she wanted in the first place? To be just friends?
“No, I don’t think you’re leading her on,” she says at last. “I think you’re just giving it a chance. And she deserves that.” MJ smiles at her friend Felix. “You deserve that.”
He smiles back. “Thanks.”
# # #
Even under the best of circumstances, Sophie is one of those people who can’t sit still for more than about twenty minutes. Energy flows through her veins constantly, urging her up and out. She prefers walking to driving, running to walking, and sports to everything.
So it’s no surprise that with the pressure of choosing between two wonderful guys — X or Diego — Sophie has been spending some extra time on the courts. The tennis courts, the basketball courts, the volleyball courts. But even with all that extra exercise, sweat is the only thing she’s releasing. The tension remains, and she realizes it won’t go away until she addresses the cause.
She calls Diego to meet her at a park for an evening walk. This is not an unusual request, but still he knows what it’s about. They begin walking in silence.
After a few minutes, Diego breaks it. “You have… made a decision.” His tone shifts midway through the sentence, going from question to statement.
Sophie nods. She can’t bear to do any more than that, can’t bear to look at him. Diego has done nothing wrong. He is sweet and fun and funny beyond belief. He’s the “hot ass from Caracas,” for crying out loud. What is she doing?
She sighs. “I have to–”
He shakes his head. “It’s okay,” he says. “Let’s just finish our walk. At the end we’ll be in the same place we started. Friends.”
Amazed, Sophie stares at him. And smiles, with gratitude.
