In which a young girl who lost her mom
befriended a boy who helped her through everything
until she's brought to the point when she has to
make a decision that will change her life
****
TRIGGER WARNING
This book does mention suicide multiple times...
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The 50s-style diner buzzed with life, tucked into a corner of town, packed with all different types of people on the windy and cold March afternoon. Neon signs flickered softly against the cloudy afternoon outside, and the scent of burgers, syrup, and fried everything hung thick in the air. The wind outside had a bite to it but inside, it was warm, golden, and full of chatter. Senior citizens sat with steaming mugs of coffee and stacks of pancakes, teenagers leaned across booths whispering secrets, a couple shared fries like it was an act of devotion, and families filled the booths with coats piled beside them and milkshake mustaches on tiny faces.
Olivia sat at the counter, her elbows resting on the cool, worn chrome. To her left, Crystal was absently spinning on her stool, and to her right, Daphne scrolled through her phone between sips of her strawberry milkshake.
When they first moved into the neighborhood, Daphne had declared, without hesitation, that she would not survive suburban life without a weekly sugar fix. So, every Saturday afternoon, the three sisters made the trek, rain or shine. It had become ritual, a pocket of time carved out just for them. Occasionally, they'd drag Luke along, especially if he had stayed the night before. He'd always grumble at first, but he never said no.
This time, though, it was just the sisters. No boys, no drama, just the familiar comfort of each other's presence and the indulgence of thick, sweet milkshakes.
Daphne was the first to break the contented silence. "You want to explain to us why Luke has been over every single day for breakfast this week and won't stop giving you lovesick goo-goo eyes every morning?" she asked, straw between her lips as she raised an eyebrow.
Crystal didn't miss a beat. "Yeah, do tell. And it's not exactly subtle. I've seen those looks. And lately, Livvy, you've been giving him the dreamy-eyes back."
Olivia tried to suppress her smile but failed miserably, cheeks flushing as she stirred her untouched vanilla shake with the metal spoon. She didn't even like sweets that much—it was just tradition. And besides, she was too full of nerves to be hungry.
"It's... confusing," she admitted, voice soft. Her eyes stayed on the spoon, avoiding the twin gazes that pinned her in place. "We've been friends for almost six years. And after the whole Bobby thing, I don't know, something shifted. Like something inside us just... flipped. I catch him looking at me, and suddenly I can't look away. I don't want to."
She let out a breathy laugh, one that tasted like nervous energy and something far more vulnerable. "It's been almost two weeks. Two weeks of this... thing."
Daphne leaned back dramatically. "Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Back up. The Bobby thing? What Bobby thing? Did I miss a whole chapter of your life or something?"
Crystal snorted. "Oh my God, catch up. Okay, recap time. Luke kissed Baby McMannor—gross, I know—at the Valentine's party. Livvy got jealous and kissed Bobby. She and Bobby had a fling—emphasis on past tense—until he bragged to Luke about it, Luke got pissed, and Bobby said he was just trying to get into Livvy's pants, so she punched him. Queen behavior, by the way."
