to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 40

December 15th, 2023

"I never worry, life is a journey,
I just wanna enjoy the ride,
What is the hurry? It's really early,
It's ok, we'll take our time..."

Bailey

Beckett kissed me.

I kissed him back.

Beckett told me I was his best friend.

He kissed me.

During a Taylor Swift Song.

He kissed me.

It was cliche, but it was everything.

The boy holding my hand threw out "excuse us" multiple times as he led us back towards our table, and I couldn't stop smiling.

The paper tulips were from Beckett. I was right. My favorite birthday present for the last 4 years was from him. It was why he wanted to know the exact color of my dress, because he wanted to make them match perfectly.

He's been perfect all evening, and it was almost too much to handle. My cup was never empty, because he kept refilling it, and he always made sure snacks were on the table.

His teammates were hilarious, and they looked at him with so much respect in their eyes, and he did the same to them. All night prior to this moment I had been laughing and having a great time listening to them talk, and then they asked about me too.

It was such a drastic change from how things were with Brady, and I felt like a person when I sat with Beckett and his friends, in a way I never felt with Brady and his. I loved it, and a lot of it had to do with the boy next to me.

I'm in love with him.

That's the conclusion I reached as we made it back to the table, and he pulled my chair out for me before waiting for me to sit and sitting next to me. I was met with a soft smile from Wren when I sat, and she turned to face me.

Beckett was pulled into conversation with his teammate on his other side, but he held on to my hand where they rested on his leg. Using my other hand, I unstrapped my heels before setting them under my chair.

"He did it," she whispered, beaming wide. "During "You Are In Love" too."

I know.

"He'd never even heard the song before," I said honestly, because that part had thrown me too. It was a pure coincidence. "I didn't even know what to say."

"By the looks of it, he didn't either," she smiled. "It was something straight out of a romcom."

"It felt like I was in one," I laughed. Wren's smile softened as she leaned in to brush a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I'm so happy for you, Bailey."

My own smile softened as I looked at the girl in front of me. I'd never be where I am today if it weren't for her, and this last semester has been an adjustment for both of us. We've made new memories, and there's still so much more to make.

"I love you, Wren."

"Love you too, Bay," she said, standing up and tapping Beckett's shoulder. He held a finger up to his friend before turning to face us, his smile never faltering.

"Can I borrow my best friend for a dance?" Wren asked, already pulling me up without waiting for an answer as I laughed. "Okay thanks!"

Don't you know now
Is the perfect time
We can make it right, but the city lights