Chapter 130: Chapter 130
Celeste reached for her phone before she could second-guess it. Paris. She needed to ask Amara about Paris.
The idea had been circling in her head since yesterday, and if she didn’t say it out loud now, she’d overthink it until it became something heavy, something she’d regret never sharing.
Her thumb hovered a moment, then she tapped Amara’s name. The line rang twice before her Amara’s warm voice spilled through.
"Celeste."
Celeste smiled faintly. Some of the tension in her shouldersimmediately loosened. "Hey. Listen, I’ve been thinking. Paris."
Amara paused. She haven’t spoken to Celeste about it with forward motives. She had been busy with Elias. The thought of Elias made her smile. "Paris?" she asked softly.
"Yes. Dominic booked us a week vacation. We should go. My birthday is in a week, and I need you."
Amara smiled at the other end.
Celeste went on. "We’ve talked about it so many times. It’d be perfect, don’t you think? For culture, for writing. A place to breathe, away from... everything."
Amara’s voice filled the space again, brighter this time. "That sounds beautiful, Cel. Honestly, I’d love that. Paris is exactly what I need too."
Relief surged through Celeste. Her lips parted into a genuine smile. She sat forward as if Amara were right there with her, ready to clasp her hands in excitement.
"That’s what I thought! We’ll plan it properly this time, not just talk about it."
"Mhm," Amara hummed softly. Then her tone shifted, lighter but also deliberate. "Speaking of... I have a date tonight."
Celeste blinked. "A date?"
"Yes," Amara laughed gently, almost sheepish. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"
A rush of surprise swept over Celeste, then excitement followed. She hadn’t seen Amara like this in months. She hadn’t heard that shy twist in her voice that only appeared when something genuinely thrilled her. She could tell how deeply rooted Amara was into this date. That was sweet news to Celeste.
"Amara! That’s amazing." She squealed. "Oh my God, who is it? Tell me everything."
"Slow down," Amara teased. "I’ll tell you later. But you know what? You should come too. With Dominic. We are making it a double date. That way it won’t feel so intimidating. I also need you right now."
Celeste’s eyes widened, her pulse quickening. She fought back the little tears threatening to leave her eyes.
She tucked her knees closer against her chest, her heart racing at the idea. A double date. With Dominic and Amara.
Dominic might not want it, but that won’t be an issue. All she have to do was ask him. Celeste felt like she was standing in the aches of everything her best friend once endured.
Her lips curved softly. "A double date? That... actually sounds nice. I’ll tell Dominic about it."
There was a small pause on the other end. Then Amara’s voice, quieter, and almost careful came through. "It’s with Elias. My date, I mean."
The words dropped like a stone in Celeste’s chest. Her smile faltered, and her stomach sank before her mind even caught up.
For a second, she thought she’d misheard. She thought she could rewind the moment and correct it. But Amara’s voice had been clear. Elias.
Celeste froze, the air thick around her. Her expression fell, and her body stiffening as if bracing for a blow.
On the other end, Amara exhaled softly, as though she’d felt the shift across the line. "Alright," she murmured, "don’t worry about the double date. You don’t like Elias."
Celeste could feel Amara rolling her eyes with slumped shoulders, already feeling defeated. That wasn’t what she wanted her best friend to feel at the moment.
This was her first date in years. However, she couldn’t help the wary that washed over her. She had no idea why Elias name always brought such feeling upon her.
Celeste swallowed hard, her words scrambling in her throat. "It’s not like I don’t like Elias, I just..." She trailed, struggling, and searching for the right words, while also trying not to lie about it. Her fingers curled tighter around the phone.
"You just what?" Amara’s tone was calm, but there was an edge beneath it.
An edge she reserved for people who stepbon her and forbthe first time, she was using it on Celeste.
Celeste swallowed. "I don’t know," she whispered, frustration clawing at her chest. "It’s not him, it’s just—Amara, why him? Why Elias?"
"Why not Elias?" Amara countered quietly, and the question pressed heavy against Celeste’s ribcage.
Something in Celeste cracked then. She blinked, shook her head in disagreement to whatever just crossed her mind, and let out a breathless laugh.
The laugh carried more ache than amusement. "This is our first fight," she said suddenly, her voice trembling. "Can you believe that? Our first fight, and it’s over a guy. Over Elias."
The weight of it made her chest hurt. She hoped whatever she felt concerning Elias was just a feeling, and not something real.
Amara’s silence stretched, until finally she sighed. "Cel..."
"What are you scared of?" Celeste cut in, sharper than she meant to. "Tell me, Amara. What are you scared of with him? You surely feel the suspicions sometimes, don’t you? This isn’t about me, Amara. I’m not just crazily judging."
There was a rustle on the other end, as if Amara had shifted. She put a hand through her hair, and pressed her palm against her forehead. Then her voice came, softer, and evasive. "I don’t want to do this right now."
The deflection stung. Celeste felt her throat tighten. They both drew in deep breaths almost at the same time, the sound of their exhales overlapping through the line.
"I know, Celeste," Amara finally said, her tone weary but steady. "Let’s not judge quickly, alright? Just... text me if Dominic would be fine by it. I’ll text you the address if yes. See you there."
Before Celeste could form a reply, the line clicked and the call ended, leaving her in the quiet of her room. She stared at her wall for a long time, before taking her phone off her ear.
This hurts!