You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(54)

Answer meeeeeee



Hey, having breakfast



WHERE?



Dining hall



She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I throw on some clothes and head there immediately. I breathe in the morning chill as I make my way to campus. It feels like ages since we’ve sat down for a meal together. I’ve been mostly eating by myself these past few weeks. I head through the doors and spot her right away. She’s sitting near the soda fountain, reading a book. I run up and squeeze her from behind.

“Julie…Ugh, I missed you.”

She groans. “Not this again.”

“It’s like a gift from the universe.” I hold on to her for a few more seconds. Then I pull out the seat next to her, smiling uncontrollably.

“Why are you acting like we don’t hang out every day,” she says.

“Can’t I just be happy to see you?”

“If you need to copy off of my assignment, just say so.”

I should probably tone it down a little, but I can’t help myself. “I just want to hang out with my best friend. Is that a crime?”

Julie rolls her eyes. “If you can’t tell, I’m studying right now.”

I take her book and set it down. “You can take a break, okay? Let’s do something fun instead. You know, for old times’ sake.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, anything you want.” What are some activities we could do together? It’s probably too late for apple picking. “We could take a walk through the bird sanctuary. Or visit the Historical Museum.”

“You hate that museum,” she says.

“But I know you love it.”

She narrows her eyes. “Do you need to borrow my car or something?”

“No, I don’t need anything! I just want to spend time together.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll go.”

“Good. Because I wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

I could honestly just sit here and watch her read, but when is the next time we’ll get to have an Oliver-and-Julie day? We should make the most of this. I help Julie finish her food by eating the rest of it. We can grab coffee at Sun and Moon first. Then stop by Mr. Lee’s bookstore for a visit. As we’re heading into town, I remember something else. My favorite bakery is still open.

“Wait,” I gasp. “We need to stop for a chocolate croissant. I haven’t had one in ages.”

“Oliver. You had one yesterday. I was with you.”

I ignore this and pull her down the street. The sugary-sweet scent fills the air as we come inside. I didn’t buy anything the last time I was here with Ben. I get a box of my favorite things, which includes a dozen macarons. Julie and I take a bite of each flavor and split the chocolate croissant.

I’ve missed having her around. It reminds me how hard the quarter has been without her. She eventually embraces my clinginess, attributing it to the holiday season. We walk through the Christmas market that’s decorated with lights. We spend the afternoon there, drinking hot apple cider and looking at all of the handmade jewelry. Then we grab a late lunch at Sweet Juice.

I offer to stop by the museum afterward, but Julie has to head home to help her mom prep for dinner. She says we can meet up again later tonight. I walk her home and then head back to campus. I’m so happy to get another day in this timeline. There’s no schoolwork to stress about. And I get to see my best friend again. Wouldn’t it be nice if I got to stay longer?

I walk through the quad, enjoying the brisk weather. Though I wish I had a warmer jacket. Maybe I could stop by my old dorm for a second and grab something from my closet. Let’s hope my old roommate won’t be there. There’s a good chance he’s at the Student Union around this time of day.

I check my phone. There’s a text message from Mom.

See you in an hour



Can’t wait for the class



What is she talking about? I’m about to text back when it hits me. Oh my god, it’s December 2. Mom’s birthday is today! I can’t believe I forgot about it. That means our pottery class is tonight. Mom said it was the best present she’d received in her four decades of life. She uses the dish we made together every day. It would be nice to get to experience that with her again.

And then I remember something else—it’s also the night of Nolan’s party. The same night someone saw him leave with his hand wrapped around Connor. All this happened while I was celebrating Mom’s birthday. I’ve tried hard to separate those two memories. As the emotions flood back, something else occurs to me.

Doesn’t this mean it hasn’t happened yet?

I check my last messages. Nolan’s party should already have started. They always start drinking early on Sundays. I stare at the ground, knots in my stomach. This is something I’ve been trying so hard to forget. Now here it is about to happen all over again.

I’ve replayed this night in my head a thousand times. What would have happened if I had gone to the party instead? Maybe I could have prevented it somehow…Is that even a possibility? It’s not that I want Nolan back, but I could save myself from so much pain…

There’s another text from Mom.

Do you want me to pick you up?