Page 116 of Sunset Catchers

“Being hopeful. Holding hope in the palm of your hand that this relationship will work out. That your happiness depends on someone else upholding their end of the love they say they have for you.” She ponders my answer.

“I don’t think your happiness should depend on anyone, Win. I think love should make it glow brighter.”

“Right.”

She bumps her knee against mine. “And I think it’s brave. It takes a lot of courage to have hope over something as fickle as love. It should be terrifying, but in a good way.”

“And what if it doesn’t work out? I’d feel so stupid.”

“That’s a valid feeling. Heartbreak is hard. But Winnie, if it works out…imagine seeing the entire sky turning pink at dusk. Not just a streak of it, but the whole thing. I bet that’s how it feels, to fall in love.”

“That sounds pretty amazing,” I agree.

“Can I say something else? I don’t want to spook you.”

I snort, throwing my hands up in the air. “What is it with everyone knowing I get easily spooked?”

She levels me a look. “At the end of high school, you offered me a handshake and a ‘good luck in your future endeavors’ speech. All because you were terrified I’d get other friends and forget all about you.”

I wince. I did do that.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to be stuck with me.”

She sighs.

“You make my life better. You always have. I want to be stuck with you.”

“You make my life better too,” I whisper. “You can say anything to me.”

“You seem different now.”

“How so?”

“You’ve just always been toned down. You’re always containing your joy. But now, you’re beaming. Like I can see all of your teeth when you smile.”

I laugh loudly over the sound of the crashing waves.

“I do feel different. I was in a rut before, but something shifted for me these last few weeks.” And yeah, Levi has a lot to do with that shift.

“So then, you’re doing this? Letting yourself fall in love?”

“I want to, so bad!”

Her hazel eyes search my face.

“Did something happen with Levi?”

“Yes! I had brunch with his family, and everyone was so sweet and perfect!”

They had all been so welcoming. So nice, so normal.

“I don’t think I fit in with Levi’s family,” I state plainly.

“Why?” Junie’s scowl is cutting. If you need someone to be offended on your behalf, even without knowing any facts about the situation, Junie is your girl. A girl’s girl through and through.

“Levi’s life is…it’s perfectly cut cookies, you know. Mine is the scrap of dough you end up throwing in the trash.”

“You’re not trash, Winnie,” she admonishes, getting sort of mad.