Chapter 26
SADIE
How do you go somewhere without a plan?
And what do you pack?
My phone buzzes on my bed. I pick it up and swipe to read the text.
Emma
Mom said you’re taking a trip. Where are you going?
Sophie
A trip?! Why didn’t you invite me?
I texted my dad and let him know that I wouldn’t be in to work tomorrow and wasn’t sure when I’d be back. When I started working, we never set up a formal contract. In almost seven years, I might have taken four days off—and those were when I was deathly ill with the flu one year.
Sadie
I don’t know the destination yet.
Emma
What? Like, you’re just getting in the car and driving until you get somewhere?
Sophie
GO SADIE! It’s going to be epic!
Sadie
Yes.
Then I take a deep breath, my thumb hovering over for a second before I add . . .
Sadie
But not in my car.
Sophie
Grant?!
Sadie
No. Milo is going with me.
Emma
Sophie
I thought you were dating Grant?
Emma
Are YOU judging, Soph? Because I’m pretty sure you’ve dated two guys at one time.
Sophie
I don’t date. I hang out with . . .
Emma
Classy.
Sophie
Rude. At least I’m with someone.
Sadie
Soph, enough.
Sophie
Sorry, Emma.
Emma
Sadie
For the record: I’m not dating Grant or Milo.
Emma
Then what are you doing?
Sophie
Hanging out . . . duh.
Great. Am I turning into Sophie?
Sadie
I’m . . . figuring things out.
Sophie
You make adulting seem so complicated.
Sadie
It IS complicated.
Sophie
Not really. You say yes to what you want to and no to what you don’t want to. People might judge you, but they don’t get to tell you what to do.
Emma
WOW! Sophie. That might be the wisest thing you’ve ever said.
Sophie
I’m young. Not dumb.
Sadie
You’re right, Soph. Maybe I just make it complicated.
I stare at the words I just typed out.
How many times have I told myself it’s too complicated to figure out instead of just figuring it out because I’m scared? Scared to be wrong. Scared to choose wrong.
Because while it’s simple, sometimes the consequences of our choices are not as simple.
Sophie
I’m right?! Did Sadie just say I’m right?
Emma
She did.
I inhale deeply, letting my breath land gently in my chest.
Sadie
I’m just saying yes to myself right now.
Emma
You deserve that.
Sophie
For real. It’s about time you had some fun.
Sadie
Am I not fun?
Emma
Oh. No. Sadie, you’re lots of fun.
Sophie
But we love you.
Emma
We love you SO much!
Sadie
I’ve got to pack. Love you both.
I set my phone face down on the bed and open my closet doors. My neatly organized life stares back at me, but it’s the bright red fabric in the back that snags my attention. I slide the hangers to the side, revealing all the things I’ve purchased over the years I wanted to wear and haven’t.
The weight of the hanger in my hand feels like a scale tipping—between who I’ve been and who I want to be.
It seems like the perfect time to put on some new clothes.