Calculus of the Heart

Chapter 18

Saturday night arrives with the electric buzz of excitement that comes with plans to meet my friends. The sky has cleared after a day of clouds, and the crisp air carries the promise of a fun evening. I grab my jacket and head out, eager for a night at the arcade with Jess, Abby, and Amori.

The arcade is alive with lights and sounds, a kaleidoscope of flashing colors and upbeat music. I spot Jess, her hair glistening under the neon lights, waving at me from across the room. Abby and Amori stand beside her, engrossed in a game of air hockey.

"Ella!" Jess calls out, her voice barely audible over the din of the arcade.

I make my way over. "Hey, guys! Ready to lose all your tokens?" I tease, slipping a few into the change machine.

Abby grins, her eyes sparkling. "Bring it on. I've been practicing my skee ball skills."

Amori chuckles, nudging Abby playfully. "You mean losing at skee ball? Because that's what I remember."

We dive into the games, laughter and friendly banter filling the air. We take turns trying to outscore each other, moving from game to game with an energy that seems to fuel the machines themselves. Jess is unbeatable at the dance game, her feet moving with a precision that makes the rest of us look clumsy.

After a while, we take a break, gathering around one of the tables with sodas and snacks. The conversation flows easily, covering everything from school to weekend plans.

We spend the rest of the night immersed in games and laughter, the world outside the arcade fading into the background. For a few hours, I'm able to forget about the thoughts of Ms. Reynolds—Catherine—and just enjoy the present.

• • •

Sunday afternoon finds me at the bar, ready for another shift. The place is moderately busy, with regulars scattered at tables and newcomers exploring the menu. Joe sits at the bar nursing his usual drink and chatting with the other bartenders.

"Hey, Ella," he greets me as I approach the counter. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good," I reply, tying on my apron. "The arcade was fun last night."

"Glad to hear it," Joe says with a smile. As he sips his drink, his expression turns curious. "So, did you ever have that talk with Ms. Reynolds about why she's been distant?"

I pause, unsure how to articulate the feeling that there's more beneath the surface than Catherine is letting on. "Yeah, we talked. She said she had 'personal problems.'"

Joe raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Personal problems, huh? Sounds like she's avoiding something."

I nod, unsure how to articulate the feeling that there's more beneath the surface than Catherine is letting on. "I think so too. But I didn't push."

"Maybe she'll come around," Joe suggests, then turns to chat with another bartender.

Just as I'm about to head to the tables, the door swings open, and a familiar face walks in. It's Ms. Reynolds' friend, the one I met briefly a few weeks back. I don't know her name, but she recognizes me immediately.

"Hey, you're Ella, right?" she asks, approaching the bar with a friendly smile.

"That's me," I confirm, curious about her sudden appearance.

"I'm Rumani," she introduces herself. "Catherine's friend."

"Nice to meet you, Rumani," I say, shaking her hand. "What brings you here?"

"I was in the area and thought I'd stop by. Didn't know you worked here, though." she replies. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she adds, "How are you and Catherine doing?"