Chapter 7
JULES
Iscroll back through messages, his last one still there:
Calvin: Hope you had a blast.
I never answered, just a ghost of what I was too afraid to admit.
My thumb hovers. Then I type:
Hey Cal. Survived a brutal week, but I can’t stop thinking about your seminar… or the guy running it. Think I might need some private lessons, soon. You free to catch up?
Send.
The second it leaves, my heart does that stupid free-fall thing. Maybe it isn’t courage at all. Just hope trying to be brave.
Three dots appear almost immediately. Then vanish.
Then return.
Calvin: Hey Jules. Still breaking in new students from the weekend. It was a good crowd. Private lessons, huh? Bold request. Name the place, and I’ll see if you can keep up
I grin, typing back:
Lol, glad you got some new students. How’s tomorrow? Lunch at noon?
Another bubble appears:
Calvin: Lunch at noon works. Been waiting for you to say when. How about Daisies in Logan Square?
My smile is instant. I type:
Ooo, I love that place. Perfect. See you then
For the first time in months, maybe years, I feel like I’m choosing a direction instead of being dragged by the collar. I get to see what happens when I stop running away and walk straight into him.
And suddenly, my apartment doesn’t feel hollow anymore. It feels like a launchpad.
So what’s the plan, Jules? Show up. Eat your sandwich. Pretend it’s casual.
Or start writing the life you actually want.