Chapter Thirty-One
Group chats are an extrovert’s best case scenario.
Elodie
My phone beeps. Then beeps again. Then, for good measure, it beeps a third time.
Having people care about me is exhausting . Not to mention distracting.
I glance at the tiny metal dog in the corner of my desk that I stole from the Monopoly box at Ruby and Will’s house. He’s been watching over me for the past two hours as I do my schoolwork, dutifully keeping me company through the slog. “What do you think, Bowser? Should I take a break?”
Bowser doesn’t answer, of course, but he does look really cute, which I take to mean Yes, Elodie, take a break! Give me treats! Go for walkies!
I push away from my desk, grabbing Bowser before I stand, stretch, and flop flat on my bed. My muscles hurt in the good way, and I let myself enjoy it for several minutes before I figure I can’t put off the constant dinging of my phone any longer.
More messages—Sol, Ruby, Lyra—and they’re all the same questions: how am I, am I resting, what’s up with me and Roman, and how can they support me?
I feel both extremely loved and extremely overwhelmed.
Rather than copy-pasting a reply to all of them, I throw them into a group chat. Ruby and Lyra haven’t met, but I’m sure their common interest of loving me will dispel any potential awkwardness.
Elodie: In order to streamline the update process, I’m going to answer all of your questions here.
First, I’m good. Well. Thriving. Ever since the trip to WV, I’ve been feeling a lot less stressed.
Probably because the trip to WV also marks when I started leaning on my friends and family, trusting you all to help me float when I cannot on my own.
I’ve learned my lesson, and I promise you I’ve learned it well.
No more Lone Wolf Elodie. Wolves need packs.
Elodie: Second, I’m not going to lie and say I’ve been resting to an extent that any of you would approve of, but I have been feeling restful, if that counts for anything?
I still have work and school, and the wedding is only getting closer, so more and more last minute things are popping up, but I do not feel like I am drowning anymore, and that is rest enough, if you ask me. Which you are. So.
Elodie: Third, Roman and I are… friends. And he maybe told me he loves me and wants to kiss me and make me love him back. No biggie.
Elodie: And, finally, you all are supporting me beautifully already.
Your checking in, your loving me, your thinking of me?
Those things are more support than I could ever possibly deserve, and I’m so grateful.
I love each of you so much more than I can express, and I feel that love returned to me acutely.
Ruby: I’d like to revisit your third point, if you please. He LOVES you??
Lyra: Yes. Third point. Elaborate??? He wants to KISS you!!
Sol: of course he loves her and wants to kiss her. you’ve seen the way he looks at her
Ruby: I have, in fact, not.
Sol: whoops, sorry rubes
Lyra: This is incredible. And you’re getting all this wedding planning practice already! Yours is going to be a cinch!
Elodie: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s slow down a little. I said HE loves me. I did not say I love him back.
Ruby: I notice you’re not refuting the desire to kiss him, though.
Elodie: Well… I mean… he’s hot. Also, how else am I going to know if he’s my soulmate?
Ruby: Oh, yuck!
Sol: elodie, please, have compassion on your poor brother
Lyra: *swoon* This is so romantic.
Ruby: I think Sol and I will both be okay if you keep any physical aspect of your relationship with my brother to yourself. Please. For the sake of our stomachs, I beg you.
Elodie: You’re the one who brought up the kissing!
Ruby: And I regret that. Deeply.
Sol: everything else is wonderful to know, though. i’m happy you’re doing better, ellie. we all love you and want to help in any way that we can.
Lyra: Yeah, what he said. We love you to pieces, Elo-bee. We believe in you. We’re rooting for you.
Ruby: Rah, rah.
I sniffle, allowing my tears to slide down my temples and into my hair. “They really are the best, Bowser, huh?”
Elodie: I love you guys.
They love me back, sending heart emojis in every color and version.
I sigh the sigh of a woman supported, cherished, and happy. Then, I roll out of bed, sit down at my desk, and get back to work.