Say You Won't Let Go

Beautiful Days & Ugly Assumptions

"Don't forget the two pages of homework that are due on Friday for the test we are taking next week!" My math teacher, Mr. Gill, reminds us, wagging his finger our way like we're bad children.

Right after his sentence, the bell rings.

Students pack up and file out the door in a messily fashion. Today's school day wasn't that bad. I ate lunch with Ally, Normani, and Dinah, who all seem to actually like me. Crazy, I know.

All my teachers are really nice, except Ms. Gina, my gym teacher, but I have Dinah in that class so it won't be that bad. I only got some homework, not like that really matters. I'll do it anyways.

"Hey, Mila." Normani's voice fills my ears, her arm slinging over my shoulders. I laugh softly, smiling.

"Hi, Normani." I respond, walking out of the door with her. We have math together and it's really nice to be able to leave school with someone I'm comfortable with.

"How was the first day?" Normani asks, bumping into me slightly to get me to giggle again.

"Not too bad." I tilt my head back and forth, smiling nevertheless.

She leans closer. "It was only 'not too bad' because of Dinah and me, right?" Normani whispers, a shadow of a smile dancing on her lips.

"Of course." I roll my eyes, laughing under my breath. We walk outside, the warm air caressing our skin. I had brought a jacket because I wasn't expecting this kind of weather. I guess I'm prone to Seattle weather.

"Well," Normani says once we reach the sidewalk where Dinah is waiting for me. She is glued to her phone and probably doesn't even notice us. "I have to get to dance practice. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you." I wave as she unhooks her arm from around me.

"And be safe!" She yells at Dinah before stalking away, making Dinah look up from her phone in surprise.

"I will, Mom!" Dinah shouts to Normani, even though the girl has disappeared back into the school. Her brown eyes then land on me. "Hi, Mila."

"Hi." I squeak, smiling at the taller girl. Her phone dings and she looks down at it. She scoffs at the device before typing back and shoving it into her pocket. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Dinah says, much to my disbelief. "It's just sometimes Lauren pushes my buttons."

"Why?" I ask, confused. To what I've heard today, Lauren seems like a really nice person who cares about art.

"She was supposed to walk home with me today, but she didn't show up at school because she didn't feel like it." Dinah grumbles, gesturing me closer.

I hop off the curb, walking over to the taller girl. She holds onto her backpack straps loosely, her long hair floating along her hands.

"Don't get me wrong, I love Lauren with all my heart." Dinah assures me, nodding once. "But she is so stubborn."

"At least, you have me." I shrug, wringing my hands.

"I'm really glad I have you, Walz." Dinah agrees, smiling suddenly. "I like you, you know. So don't let Lauren scare you off when you meet her tomorrow because I'm forcing her to come to school."

"Will she walk home with us tomorrow?" I ask, feeling a spark of hope in my chest. Jeez, I haven't even met the girl. I need to calm down.

"Aww, you want to walk home with me tomorrow, too?" Dinah coos, grinning widely. I feel blush heat up my cheeks. "That's cute. You can walk with me whenever—always if you'd like." Dinah then looks down and mumbles quietly. "I don't like being alone."