Just Like Fate Read Online Free Page A

moment is private, intimate. I feel like I’m peeking
into a relationship I didn’t know they had, and I’m jealous.
I’m jealous that Gram didn’t ask for me first.
“Come on, Coco,” Teddy says, pulling me out. And when
the door shuts behind us, I’m suddenly adrift in my loneliness
as I wait for my grandmother’s last words, hoping that she
lasts long enough to give them to me.
FOUR
GO
    I’m staring listlessly out the passenger window as Simone
pulls onto Dover Street. The radio is blaring Electric Freakshow; Felicity and Gwen sing along—purposely off-key—in
the back. I check my phone to see if anyone has texted from
the hospital, but no one has. I’m suddenly so alone—even in a
car filled with my friends.
    “Check it out, Linus.” Simone has to shout over the music.
I turn to look out the windshield and immediately groan. Cars
line both sides of the street, all leading up to a house that might
as well have a banner that reads PLEASE CALL THE COPS. We
drive by once looking for parking, earning a few catcalls from
the lawn dwellers, then turn around and try again.
    “I’m pretty sure you said low-key college party when you
picked me up,” I say, looking pointedly at Simone.
“Did I?” she asks innocently, avoiding my glare. The day
has gone dark, but there are only a few stars out. The sky is
strange tonight, and I can’t help but feel strange, too.
I’m suddenly nervous, even though the party doesn’t look
exactly wild . There’s a dude wearing a plaid sweater-vest,
kicking a hacky sack in the driveway. And yet the hairs on the
back of my neck stand up. I check my phone again. Nothing.
We end up parking three blocks away, a fact that Felicity
complains about the whole time we walk through the crisp
October air. Gwen nearly kills herself in the spiked-heeled
boots she’s wearing, and when she’s not groaning about the
“hike,” Felicity chatters on about looking for a quality guy. She
calls dibs on the sweater-vest.
Although Simone and I have been hanging out with them
since last year, it’s pretty clear this is more of a convenience
friendship than anything. Lunches and parties—that’s about
the extent of our interactions. I’m not close to them like I am
with Simone. She and I are forever.
Just then Simone loops her arm through mine. “Guess
who I heard will be here tonight?” She doesn’t wait for me to
answer. “Joel.”
My stomach flips. “That’s nice,” I say, trying not to give
anything away. But her laugh echoes down the street.
“Oh, yes. It is very nice. And from what I hear, Lauren is
currently out of town visiting family.” I abruptly stop walking, nearly pulling Simone’s arm from its socket. Felicity and
Gwen keep going, calling back that they’ll meet us inside.
When Simone turns to me, I stare her down.
“You knew this all along, didn’t you?” I ask, narrowing
my eyes. “Is that why we’re really here?”
Simone’s red-stained lips pull into a broad smile. “It’s not
like your longing looks in Joel Ryder’s direction have gone
unnoticed. Don’t ever say I never did anything for you, Linus.”
She smacks a kiss on my cheek and walks up the driveway
to the house, giving the sweater-vest a teasing whistle as she
passes. He salutes in response.
As I stand watching after her, listening to the sounds of
muffled music leaking from the front door, my thoughts turn
back to Gram.
I would do anything for her. Anything in the world. But
instead of sitting at her side, I’m here at a party. I can’t help but
think that maybe my sister is right—I am selfish. I sigh heavily.
You’re here; make the most of it , I think, rationalizing that I’ll
be back with Gram in a few hours. I lift my chin and walk inside.
There’s a couple standing inside the entry, blocking my
way as they argue over whether or not he was checking out his
ex. I clear my throat and quietly say “excuse me,” but neither
budges. Simone gets