Chapter 2

The next morning, Davis sent a message to our group chat.

Davis: Graduation photos at eleven. Meet by the library steps. Don't be late.

I'd almost forgotten about the photos. Between finals, graduation preparations, and everything that had happened yesterday, I'd barely slept.

I put on my navy cap and gown, grabbed my bag, and headed across campus.

When I arrived, the other four were already standing beside the library.

Corbin, Davis, and Seth wore white button-down shirts with khaki pants. Mira stood between them in a white sundress, a matching ribbon tied around her hair.

I stopped a few feet away.

Apparently, there had been a dress code.

"Oh, Brenna!" Mira looked surprised. "You're wearing your graduation gown?"

"Wasn't that the plan?"

Davis rubbed the back of his neck. "We decided on white outfits last night. Guess we forgot to mention it in the main chat."

I knew exactly which chat they'd discussed it in.

Corbin glanced at me. "It's fine. We can take some with your gown later. Let's get these done first."

The photographer Davis had hired waved them toward the steps. "All right, you four, get together."

I stayed where I was.

As Mira moved into position, the wind loosened the ribbon in her hair. She tried fixing it, but it kept slipping.

Without thinking, I reached into my bag and pulled out a couple of bobby pins.

"Here."

Corbin took them and carefully secured her ribbon.

"See?" he said with a grin. "This is why we need Brenna. She's always prepared."

A moment later, Seth asked if I had any wipes because Mira had gotten dirt on her shoes. Davis borrowed my portable charger.

I handed everything over without thinking.

They'd forgotten that I only started carrying these things because they were always losing something, forgetting something, or needing something at the last minute.

"Okay, everyone, smile!" the photographer called.

The four of them leaned together.

Mira stood in the middle, Corbin's arm resting around her shoulders. Davis and Seth crowded in on either side, laughing at something she said.

They looked perfect together.

After several shots, Corbin glanced toward me. "Brenna, aren't you coming?"

The photographer checked his camera. "Let's finish this set first. We can get one with all five afterward."

"Sounds good," Corbin said.

But once the pictures were done, Mira wanted a few more by the fountain, then beneath the flowering trees near the student center.

She handed me her phone. "Brenna, could you take some candids? You're so much better at getting everyone's good angles."

I took it.

For the next half hour, I followed them around campus, holding jackets and taking pictures while they laughed together.

Near the fountain, Mira reached up to straighten Corbin's collar. He smiled down at her, his hand resting lightly on her waist.

My finger hesitated over the screen.

The picture came out blurry.

Corbin checked it and frowned. "Seriously, Brenna? Can you take one without shaking the phone?"

"Sorry."

Mira gave a small laugh. "It's okay. She's probably tired."

I took another picture.

This time, it was perfect.

When Mira finally finished scrolling through the photos, she smiled and thanked me.

I glanced at the screen before handing her phone back.

There were dozens of beautiful pictures of the four of them.

None of me.

Later, I opened my own camera roll. Birthday parties, football games, weekend trips, graduation celebrations. Hundreds of pictures from the past four years.

The same four faces appeared again and again.

I'd been there for almost every moment.

I'd just been the one holding the camera.

"Anyone else starving?" Davis asked as we headed toward the parking lot.

"There's this new BBQ place downtown I've been dying to try," Mira said.

"Their smoked ribs are supposed to be amazing."

"I heard their signature sauce has peanut butter in it," I said, glancing at Corbin. "You should probably ask about the ingredients."

Corbin sighed. "Brenna, I know what I'm allergic to."

"I was just reminding you."

"Yeah, well, you don't need to remind me of everything."

Mira immediately touched his arm. "We can go somewhere else if it's a problem."

"It's not," Corbin assured her. "You wanted BBQ, so we're getting BBQ."

Davis tossed my car keys toward me. "You mind driving? I'm exhausted."

I caught them automatically.

The SUV was mine. I'd bought it used during sophomore year and paid for the insurance, gas, and repairs myself. Somehow, everyone had gotten used to treating it like our group car.

By the time we reached the parking lot, Mira had already settled into the front passenger seat.

Corbin stood beside her open door.

"She gets carsick in the back," he explained, holding out his hand. "I'll drive. You can take the third row."

I looked at the cramped seat behind Davis and Seth.

Then I handed him the keys.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, Mira began talking about finding an apartment in New York that allowed pets.

"I've always wanted a kitten," she said. "Maybe once we're settled, I can finally get one."

Corbin smiled. "We'll go look at shelters together."

"Really?"

"Of course."

I turned toward the window.

Two years ago, I'd asked Corbin if we could adopt a cat after graduation. He'd told me we would be too busy and that I needed to stop adding unnecessary responsibilities to our lives.

Apparently, a cat wasn't too much trouble after all.

It just depended on who wanted one.

Outside, students in graduation gowns were taking pictures with their families, holding flowers and laughing beneath the spring sunshine.

I watched them for a moment before looking away.

Six more days.

Then I wouldn't have to squeeze myself into the back seat of my own life anymore.