LeafVoicesighed,lookingdownatthegreenweddinghatonherhead.Shecouldn‘tbelieveithadcometothis.Thedaybefore,shewassupposedtobemarryingthemanofherdreams,butinstead,hehadoutedthemasacoupleonsocialmedia.Howcouldthishappen?Theyweresupposedtobesoprivate,sosecretive.
Asshesatinfrontofhermirror,tryingtocomeupwithanewplan,therewasaknockatthedoor.Itwashermaidofhonor,Lin.“Leaf,what‘sgoingon?“Linasked,concernetchedonherface.“IsawyourInstagrampostfromlastnightandIjustknewsomethingwaswrong.“
LeafVoicetookadeepbreathandtoldLineverything-thebreakup,thesocialmediaoutburst,theconfusion.Linlistenedintently,noddingherheadfromtimetotime.
WhenLeafVoicefinishedtalking,Linlookedatherwithaseriousexpression.“Youneedtogetoverthisman,“shesaidfirmly.“He‘snotworthyourtears.“
LeafVoicefeltastingfromLin‘swords,butsheknewherfriendwasright.Shecouldn‘tkeepdwellingonthisfortoolong.
“Okay,I‘lltry,“LeafVoicesaid,standingupandwalkingtowardsthekitchen.
Linfollowedher.“Andyouneedtofocusonyourself,“shecontinued.“You‘retalented,beautiful,andsmart.Youhavesomuchtooffer.“
LeafVoicesmiledslightly,feelingaglimmerofhope.MaybeLinwasright.Maybethiswasanopportunityforhertostartfresh,torediscoverherself.
Astheysatdownatthekitchentable,LeafVoice‘sphonebuzzed.ItwasEdgeChan,themanshehadbeendatingforthreeyears.“Hey,Leaf,“hesaid,hisvoicesoundingsmoothassilk.“Iheardaboutwhathappenedwithyouandyourex.Iwantedtoapologize.“
LeafVoicefeltapangofsurprise.Shehadn‘texpectedhimtoreachoutsosoon.
“Noneedtoapologize,“shesaid,tryingtosoundcasual.“It‘snotmyfaulthemessedup.“
Edgechuckled.“Fairenough.So,wanttotalkaboutwhathappened?“
LeafVoicehesitatedforamomentbeforenodding.“Yeah,sure.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?“
Astheytalked,LeafVoicerealizedthatEdgewasbeingreallyunderstandingandsupportive.Hewasn‘tblamingherormakingexcusesforhisex‘sbehavior.Hejustwantedtomakethingsrightbetweenthem.
Butastheconversationwenton,LeafVoicestartedtofeelatwingeofguilt.WasshereadytoforgiveEdge?Shouldshehavebeenmorecarefulaboutwhoshewasdating?
“Leaf,I‘msorry,“Edgesaid,hisvoicesoftening.“IknowImessedup,butIpromisetomakeitrightwithyou.Wecanworkthroughthistogether.“
LeafVoicefeltalumpforminherthroat.ShewantedtobelieveEdge,totrusthimagain.Butsheneededsometimetothink.
“Okay,“shesaidfinally.“Let‘stakethingsslow.Ineedsomespace.“
Edgeunderstood,andtheymadeplanstomeetupsoon.
AsLeafVoicehungupthephone,Linlookedatherwithaknowingglintinhereye.“You‘replayinghardtoget,“shesaid,smiling.“Goodluck,sis.“