The hallway was louder than usual, lemon floor cleaner, summer stories, and newbies hiding their awkwardness.
junior year. Same building, same lockers, same early morning chaos.
I walked in adjusting the strap of my backpack, mentally preparing myself to pull off the act of being the friendly, chatty version of me again. AFTER THIS LONG SUMMER BREAK.
While I was walking down the hallway, my bestie yelled my name from behind.
"EMMMM!"
Before I could even blink, Becky crashed into my side like a caffeinated tornado.
"Do you realize it's our first day of eleventh grade?! New teachers, new drama, new HOT PEOPLE—"
"Okay, calm down, TikTok," I laughed as she practically bounced beside me. "You sound like you pregame with ten Red Bulls."
"Nope. Just pure excitement, baby!" She said, throwing her arms in the air. "Junior year glow-up era starts NOW."
I shook my head but couldn't stop smiling. That was the thing about Becky—she makes life feel louder, brighter, and slightly more unhinged than necessary.
"By the way," she continued, flipping her hair like she was walking a runway instead of a school hallway, "I have SO much to tell you. First of all, guess who finally confronted me last night?
Aghh...lemme guess. That situationship of yours? Becky groaned dramatically, clutching her heart. "Don't call it that!"
"Becks," I said, giving her a look, "it's been a whole year. A FULL year. And we're both still waiting for him to confess he's in love with you." She didn't deny it this time. Instead, she pressed her lips together and said quietly,
"Well… he did last night."
She said it with a shy little pout, eyes darting around the hallway like she was searching for a reason not to squeal.
I nearly tripped. "WAIT—he WHAT?"
Becky nodded, cheeks flushing. "He literally said he likes me. Properly. Not the vague 'you're special' stuff. Like, actual feelings."
I grabbed her arm. "Are you kidding me right now? We waited a year for this man to grow a brain—finally!"
She giggled, covering her face. "I know, I know! I'm trying not to overreact."
"Becky, this is not overreacting. This is JUST reacting." Becky giggled, covering her face like she was trying to hide the world's biggest smile.
I tugged her arm. "So… what was your reply, gurlll?" I practically sang it, because this was big.
Becky's cheeks went pink.
"Well… he didn't just confess," she said, lowering her voice even though no one was listening.
"He literally proposed last night. Like, on text. 'Becky, will you be my girlfriend?'—actual words."
My jaw dropped so hard it almost hit the floor.
"SHUT. UP. HE ACTUALLY ASKED YOU OUT?"
She nodded, bursting with shy excitement. "Yes! After one whole year of mixed signals and emotional Olympics!"
I clutched her hands dramatically. "Girl, I was THIS close to filing a missing-person report for his commitment. And NOW he proposes?!"
Becky laughed, shoving me lightly. "Stop! You're so dramatic."
"ME? Dramatic?" I pointed at her. "YOU got proposed to and didn't call me immediately? I should sue."
She rolled her eyes but she was glowing. Actually glowing.
"But wait," I said, eyes wide, "what did you say back?"
Becky bit her lip, smiling like she couldn't hold it in.
I threw my hands up.
"My bestie is no more single, losers!" I announced to the hallway like a proud mother at a graduation.
A few kids turned to stare, but whatever—priorities.
Becky nudged me with her elbow, rolling her eyes but smiling way too hard to pretend she was annoyed.
"Yeah, yeah… but my bestie—" she pointed at me like she was presenting me on a game show, "is still single. Extremely single."
I gasped. "Becky, don't do me like that in public."
She smirked.
"I'm just manifesting your storyline, babe."
If only I knew how wildly that manifestation was about to turn my life upside down.