Page 96 of Breaking the Ice

Vanessa: Absolutely!

I slide onto the dark wooden chair in the Union Starbucks, panting. Setting down my collection of bags—why are teachers such bag ladies?—I take a deep breath and smile. “Hi, friends.”

“Friends.” Ariana gives a snort of laughter. “She even sounds like an elementary school teacher.”

Vanessa reaches around the circular table to hug me. “Of course she does. I bet she sings the ‘Fifty Nifty States’ song, too.”

I shoot them a haughty look. “I one hundred percent do, and it’s amazing. Now, stop making fun of me and tell me everything I’ve missed in the theater department.”

We get in line, order, and wait for our drinks while they fill me in on all the gossip. Sadie and Noah are dating—not a pairing I ever would have predicted—and Dr. Burke picked a freshman for the lead in Little Shop of Horrors, the spring musical.

Even though they are standing right next to me, my heart aches with missing these girls. It’s weird, not seeing them every day, and even stranger to think that we will go our separate ways in a few months and be even less connected.

Sipping my drink, the chocolate and coffee flavors mixing on my tongue, I settle back onto the hard wooden chair and listen to them chatter.

“So how is student teaching?” Vanessa asks after a break in the conversation. “Besides the Fifty States song?”

I blow out a breath.

“Good, I think? Stressful and overwhelming, but there are things I really like about the challenge.” I lean forward. “And I love that I get to be these kids’ first introduction to formal music. I get to make it fun and engaging and help them love it.”

Ariana pats my shoulder. “You are so idealistic, it’s adorable.”

I scoff. “Think about it. Would you be here if you didn’t have a music teacher somewhere along the way who encouraged you and helped you love it?”

“Mr. Ashton,” Vanessa says, leaning forward. “My middle school choir teacher.”

“Mrs. Zwolanek for me.” A small smile graces Ariana’s face as she stares down at the table. “You’re right, you’re doing good work out there. I’m just a little jealous. I miss seeing you.”

“Aw, I miss you guys, too.” Reaching across the table, I squeeze her hand. “Have you figured out where you are going after graduation?”

Ariana waves her hand around. “Probably working at a minimum-wage job that has nothing to do with theater.”

I laugh as Vanessa shoves her shoulder. “That’s not the kind of attitude we want!”

She clears her throat. “We’re both thinking about moving to Nashville and trying our luck there. And yes, we may have to get jobs at Starbucks to survive. But we’ll be fine.”

My stomach lurches when she says Nashville, but I cover it up with an encouraging smile. “That’s awesome. I’m so excited for you guys.”

“You took Evan to Nashville recently, right?” Ariana’s gaze bores into me. “Ness and I visited over Fall Break, but what did you think of the city?”

I try to keep from wincing. “Um, yeah. It was great. I know a mechanic if you need one.”

Uh-oh, I didn’t mean for that to pop out, but both of them zone in on it.

Ariana furrows her brow. “What are you talking about?”

I sigh. “I had some car troubles while we were there. In fact, my car is still there.”

“What?” Vanessa blinks.

“Yeah, apparently there was a lot wrong with it.”

I sip my coffee in silence while they process this.

Vanessa reaches out and pats my arm. “Were you okay, babe?”

Her concern has the story spilling out of me, and both girls scoot closer to me as I finish.