This is the eighth part in a series, so if you haven’t done so already, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, and Part VII before continuing.
Eliza recognized the back of Angela’s head. She started to sneak up behind her, planning to cover her eyes and make her guess, but her excitement got the better of her and she ended up wrapping both arms tightly around her friend’s head, neck, and shoulders in a big hug.
Angela made an exaggerated choking sound. When Eliza finally released her, she made a show of gasping for breath as Eliza sat down on the other side of the booth. “Did you have to choke me?”
“Yes. How would you know how much I love you if I didn’t try to kill you every now and then?” Eliza grinned at her friend, eyes twinkling, and Angela smiled back.
“Well, in that case, I’ll have to repay the favor someday.”
“Are you kidding? That was payback for the time you almost got me killed right after you got your driver’s license.”
Angela screwed up her face, eyes narrowed and brow wrinkled as she tried to look like she was searching her memory. After a few seconds she said, “Nope. No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you do. The first time you drove us to the mall. You suddenly saw a sign for the street we needed, so you turned left into oncoming traffic.”
“I did not turn into oncoming traffic. I made a skillful left turn that left everyone unharmed and eventually got us to where we were going.’
“Yeah, after taking the scenic route.”
“It did have some lovely views, didn’t it?”
“That was sarcasm.”
“I know, but you were supposed to be the one navigating.” Angela glared at her friend, but when she saw Eliza smiling back at her, she couldn’t hold her laughter in any longer. “Oh girl, have I missed you!”
“I’ve missed you, too,” said Eliza. “What’s new?”
“I’ve decided to pursue a career in communications.”
Eliza’s eyes widened until Angela could see white all around her irises. Angela waited for the news to sink in.
After a long moment, Eliza blinked once, very slowly, and Angela continued. “I still love acting, and I always will. It’s just that I’ve gotten really into my communications classes lately and I think I want to pursue that. I’ve been offered an internship with NBC and I’m super excited about it.”
“Wow.” Eliza was still in shock.
“Yeah. So. That’s what’s new with me.”
Eliza’s lids fluttered and she literally shook herself out of her trance. “Oh my God. That’s awesome!”
“You really think so?”
“Of course. You really got an internship with NBC?”
Angela nodded, smiling and hunching her shoulders to hide her embarrassment.
“That’s amazing! You’re going to be the next Savannah Guthrie.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Why not? Isn’t this the part of our lives where we’re supposed to dream big? Shoot for the stars? This way, you’ll already have your foot in the door before you even graduate. And you’re gorgeous and incredibly talented. There’s nothing you can’t do.”
“OK, enough of the flattery. What’s new with you?”
“Me? I’m doing great. I just found out my biggest competition is taking herself out of the running.”
To be continued …
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