Page 74 of Catch and Cradle
“The Biodome?”
“Yeah, it’s like this big, uh, dome thing, and it has a bunch of wildlife exhibits and aquariums and these cool overhead walkway things that make it feel like you’re walking through the top of the jungle looking down at all the animals. They have a bunch of different ecosystems set up. At least I think they call them ecosystems. You would know better than me with all your environmental science.” She presses her lips together and breathes deep through her nose. “Wow, I’m rambling, but yeah. You can come if you want. It would be nice to have you there.”
I do want to go, not just because it sounds freaking amazing, but because I’ve started to treasure every new experience with her like it’s a new jewel in a necklace. I want more, in every colour I can find. I want to know what life with her is like.
Since it doesn’t seem like we’ll get a chance to talk on our own today, I’d rather be near her than pacing away the hours until dinner in my room.
“You’re sure your brother and his girlfriend won’t mind?”
“Not at all! Zach is a sweetheart, and DeeDee loves people. She’s gonna go crazy over your hair. She’s studying to be a hairdresser. She did my ombre for me, actually. Just brace yourself. I’m sure she’s going to want to touch yours and ask you over and over again if that really is your natural colour.”
I laugh and reach up to touch my ponytail. The ends are still damp from my post-game shower. “I think I can live with that.”
Hope beams. “Okay, great! Do you need to get anything before we leave?”
We stop by my room so I can grab a jacket and my bag. Hope is all dressed up in grey skinny jeans and a slouchy black t-shirt—practically formalwear compared to the sweatpants, leggings, and various lacrosse-branded tops the whole team seems to wear every day at UNS—so I take a minute to change into some skinny jeans of my own and throw on a bomber jacket.
“Where are you off to?” Bailey asks, looking up from where she’s laying in bed with a book.
“Something called the Biodome. It’s some kind of wildlife exhibit thing.”
She nods. “Sounds like something you would like. Who are you going with?”
“I, uh, ran into Hope in the hall. Her brother lives here and she was going to go with him, so she asked if I wanted to join.”
I realize just how far from casual that sounds as soon as it leaves my mouth and rush to correct things. “Do you want to come too? I can ask if they’d be okay with another person coming. It would be fun.”
She yawns and sets her book down on her chest. “Thanks, but I think I’ll hang back. I’m wiped, and I want to rest up before dinner. Wouldn’t want to crash you and Hope’s date anyway.”
She laughs, but I go completely still as the bottom of my stomach drops.
“Becca? I’m kidding.”
I force a chuckle. “Ha. Yeah. Sorry. I’m super tired too. I hope I make it through this.”
She squints at me. “Mhmm.”
“I better head out now. Enjoy your book.”
“Enjoy your afternoon!”
I might be going crazy, but the word enjoy sounds extra loaded in the goodbye she calls out as I leave the room. I suck in a breath and force myself to believe I’m imagining it.
“Oooh, fancy jacket!” Hope gives me an appreciative once-over as soon as I’m back in the hall. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.”
My stress starts to seep away as I watch her watch me. I grin and do a twirl.
“Gotta look good for Montreal. People are supposed to be stylish here, right?”
“Ha. Wait until you see my brother’s dork beard. I think he grew it to be more hip,”—she puts the word in air quotes—“but he just looks like a farmer.”
She leads the way down the hall, and I fall into step beside her. We talk more about her brother and his girlfriend, and as we make our way outside and up the busy city street to the metro station, all my nerves fade away. Everything fades away.
There are no rules, no roles to fill. We’re not lacrosse players. We’re not even UNS students. We’re just two girls exploring a new city, and for the very first time with her, I feel like I can take a breath, stretch out my arms, and fill myself with the possibility of everything we could be—of everything I could be.
I feel limitless.
“There they are!” Hope points up the crowded sidewalk to a set of metal doors with the metro’s blue and white logo jutting out above them. Just under it, a girl with bright pink hair is standing next to a guy in a green jacket while the two of them peer around the street.