Selene didn’t give it much thought–she was just eager to brag to Daph about her brother. “You have no idea how amazing my uncle’s packed lunches are! They’re hearty and look incredible. The moment you open the lid, the aroma fills the whole house!”
Luke Holloway seemed to remember something, and a hint of regret crept into his voice. “It’s a shame, really. Your mom and I are both going to be swamped soon. I doubt I’ll have the time to cook any more special lunches.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Daph slid off her chair and dashed into her room. In less than a minute, she reappeared, clutching a permission slip, her feet pounding excitedly across the floor.
“Uncle Luke, will you come with Mom and me to the school field day? Please?”
Luke took the paper from Daph’s hands and glanced down at it, thinking for a few seconds.
Daph, afraid he might refuse, pleaded, “Uncle Luke! Please, I’m begging you! It doesn’t matter if you accidentally scare the other kids, and who cares if you don’t understand the games? I don’t need the ‘Best Family‘ prize–I just want you and Mom to come with me to the field day!”
He stared at her for a moment. Did she seriously have such a strange idea of him?
But Luke nodded. “Turns out, I’m free that day.”
He looked over at Selene, who smiled and said, “Let’s all go together, then.”
Later, after dropping Daph off at school and watching her daughter disappear through the gates, Selene checked her phone out of habit.
She noticed an unread email in her inbox–a reply.
Carmel: “Do you still need me?”
Just seeing the message brought tears to Selene’s eyes. She pressed a trembling hand over her mouth.
Last night, after sending her email, she’d come home and checked her inbox over and over, hoping for a response. But as the hours slipped by, her hope had withered.
Now, that long–dormant hope surged back to life.
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09:06
Her hands shook as she tapped out a number she knew by heart, the screen blurring as tears welled up in her eyes. She could dial that number blindfolded.
Once she finished, Selene pressed call and lifted the phone to her ear, eyes shut, long lashes already damp.
After what felt like an eternity of ringing, someone picked up.
“Hello.” The voice on the other end was cool and clear, like a breath of mint on a winter morning.
Hot tears spilled down Selene’s cheeks.
She choked out, “I’ve missed you so much.”
The reply was soft and unwavering: “Me too.”
Sitting in her car, Selene wiped at her tears, but they just kept coming.
The person on the other end was the witness to her wild, reckless youth.
They’d promised each other long ago that, no matter what, they would walk side by side and grow into the best versions of themselves.
But life has a way of making people part ways. Though their paths had diverged, they’d never truly lost each other.
Hearing Selene’s muffled sobs, Carmel teased, “Cry all you want. It’s only fair–l cried plenty for you back then.”
Selene broke down completely, letting herself weep.
Carmel Howard was her best friend, her childhood companion.
When Selene left for the city with Leo, Carmel had run after her, saying, “Take me with you.”
Their hometown was full of Holloways, but Carmel never liked that name. At eighteen, she changed it, shedding “Holloway” for “Howard.”
Carmel found work in the city. Selene, with the help of a scholarship fror Enterprises, studied hard, determined to make something of herself.
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Once Selene gained her financial freedom through investing, Carmel’s career started to take off as well.
When they no longer had to worry about making ends meet, they built a racing team together and tore up the tracks, living out dreams they’d once only dared whisper about.
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Later, Selene sold her beloved Solarlus, handing every cent from the auction over Carmel.
Carmel took the money, left for Morgania, and kept chasing the dreams they’d both carried since they were kids.
Selene always knew Carmel was doing well–she’d last caught a glimpse of her old friend on the cover of a business magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue.
“I don’t know if I’ll make it to the international racing championships,” Selene said, voice trembling. “But if I do, I want you there with me.”
Carmel didn’t hesitate for a second. “I’m coming home.”
