It was hard to know what to say following this unexpected outpouring. So much had changed in the past twelve hours with Celeste. And between her and Matt. Everything felt different.
"Maybe this summer we could all go to the beach together? Plum Island is lovely as long as it's not horsefly season. And I'd like to paint my room. Yellow. Or fern green. That would be a nice summer project. Julie, I could use your assistance in choosing the right color."
Before she could answer, Matt jumped in. "I'm sure Julie will be busy this summer, Celeste. She'll probably have her own place by then, right?"Julie startled. Getting her own place would make sense. It just hadn't occurred to her. Of course she'd have to move out. Roger and Erin had generously put her up for the year, but what was she going to do? Stay here until she graduated? That was ridiculous, and they were too polite to ask her directly to move out. Besides, she was taking up Finn's room, and he would be home soon enough.
"Yes, I assume so."
Celeste frowned. "Will we still see each other?"
"Absolutely. We can make a weekly girls' date."
"It won't be the same, will it?"
"No. It won't. But it will still be special."
"There's probably a bunch of apartments opening up for July first. Or June, even," Matt said.
"Great. Thanks," Julie said weakly.An unpleasant feeling in her chest grew as she started to absorb the idea of not living at the Watkins house. This had become her home.Except it felt less like home if Matt didn't want her here.Stupid kissing. Stupid roaming hands. Stupid boys."I'll start looking for an apartment today. I could probably be out of here just after classes end. I'll try for June first."
"Julie, I didn't mean - "
"Obviously, I'm moving out, Matt," she said sneering. "Obviously."
Matt looked everywhere but at the two girls, while Julie urgently checked on those garage sale details again in the paper.Celeste maintained a rather bemused look on her face. "This is an unusual morning we're all having, isn't it?"Julie stood up and took her plate to the sink.
"Were you thinking more Lady Grace or more Victoria's Secret?"
Matt nearly fainted.
Chapter 28
Matthew Watkins I need an afternoon pick-me-up. I accept cash and/or prizes that can be exchanged for cash. Also, hobbits.
Finn is God If you get off your high horse, you'll notice that it, too, poops.
Julie Seagle Mixed emotions regarding Twitter continue. Am again facing warnings about unprotected Tweets, but it's not my fault the condom won't fit over the laptop. "A" for effort and whatnot, I think.
Finn-I hope you're sitting down for this: Your mom, Celeste, Celeste's FRIEND Rachel, and I are all going to some ritzy spa to get our nails done. It was Celeste's idea to do something with Rachel, and I thought we should start out of the house first. Less FF temptation that way. When I asked Erin about taking the girls, I suggested maybe she'd like to come along, and after a bit of prodding, I got her to agree! I feel weird driving them around in the car like I'm some sort of chauffeur, but at least we're going somewhere. And lest you start moaning (like Matt) that I've turned Celeste into a shallow teen, you should know that our post-manicure events include a trip to the Institute of Contemporary Arts and dinner at some Mongolian restaurant.
Flat Finn is not coming. Boys are not allowed, according to your sister. He is taking the day off (again) in the front hall closet behind what is either a badminton set or a fishing net.You won't believe how different Celeste is when you see her. Yes, she's still extremely quirky and unusual (in a loveable way, of course), but she's different. She's happier. Your parents had a meeting at the school with that guidance counselor who I unreasonably hated so much, and he was "extremely impressed and relieved" at how nicely her social skills are coming along. Finn, she is so much more grown up now. Really self-sufficient. Don't take this the wrong way, but she hasn't been as obsessed with you and when you're coming home. (I, however...) I think other parts of her life are taking over. True, she still only has this one real friend, but it's a start. And she's going online now and searching for normal teenage stuff, which totally annoys your dad, not to mention Matt.
She wants to go to the movies and shopping, etc. Don't worry, though; she still curls up on the couch with The Iliad or something equally snooty.To be honest, I miss her sometimes. The "old" Celeste, I mean. I'm still with her plenty, it's just that she is so much less dependent on other people. I get nostalgic for the Celeste who was so glued to me, the one who looked up to me, the one who freaked out over lip-gloss and a simple trip to the grocery store. That sounds awful, doesn't it? I don't want that for her. I want her to be who she's becoming, you know? Lighter and freer. It's like she was locked in one place, and now she finally sees that movement is possible. She's not sure which way to turn yet, but she can see the options.To answer your question from the other day, Matt is fine. I haven't seen him a lot recently. We've both been mobbed with end-of-semester work, but I could use his help with Calculus II with Calculations. I'm dying in that class. He always explains stuff so clearly.
Things have still been off since the night of Celeste's meltdown. Ironically, she came out of it somewhat healed, while it drove a wedge between Matt and me. I feel bad because we were friends. I guess we still are... It's different though. We used to hang out all the time, and now I barely see him. Not that he's mean to me, or anything, but I don't get the impression he wants to be around me anymore. He keeps leaving me little notes with information about apartment rentals. Obviously he can't wait to get me out of here. I don't know. Maybe he's just trying to be helpful. I wish things were better between us. It feels... It just doesn't feel right like this. It's abnormal.You know what's funny? It's like you've become some diary that I write to. A figment of my imagination. But you're easy to talk to. Write to. Whatever.There is no need to panic; I'll take all of my teddy bears with me and remove the sparkly heart curtains before you get home.Miss you,-Julie