The first day of the new year was quite depressing. We all were forced to wake up early in the morning after a night of partying put the camp kids on a plane back home. It was starting to snow, and a half awake hungover Jack had to drive us to the airport. Ellie and Finn, who only woke up to say goodbyes, decided to stay at home and sleep longer. Jack and I took the responsibility of helping everyone pack at 5 am and dropping them off to catch their flight. We made it to the airport with only minutes to spare before their boarding time. The goodbyes were brief, but sentimental. Everyone ended up in tears, and I even saw a tear slip from Wyatt's eye and down his cheek. Jack and I watched as they made their way to the security line and go through, one by one, until they were out of sight. We walked in silence back to the car with our arms linked. We hadn't done that in a while, and I had missed the feeling of his arm in mine.

"That was fun. I really like your friends," I said. We were driving home, and the snow that had began this morning was coming down heavier. At this rate school would be cancelled for tomorrow.

"I knew you would," he smiled. A few persistent flakes of snow had remained in his hair, unmelted. I reached my hand over absentmindedly and carefully brushed off the pearly white flakes. I ruffled his hair out of old habit. His smile widened.

"You know I-"

"Hate when you do that," I finished his sentence for him. He laughed, causing me to smile. His laugh was the best sound in the world to me. Not even Finn's music could top that.

"Do you think we'll have a snow day tomorrow? It would be nice to not go right back to school," he asked.

"I'm sure we will if this continues," I told him. We were almost home now, and the snow was falling even faster.

"Perfect! You can come over and build a snowman like we always used to do, and we can have hot chocolate, and make popcorn, and we can go sledding, and maybe even watch a movie! Oh, and you can help me clean my house from the party!" Jack spilled. I could tell he was excited about this.

"Sounds like a plan," I confirmed. At this point we had reached my house, and Jack stopped the car.

"See you tomorrow, school or not," he grinned, waving goodbye. I got out of the car and ran inside, attempting to avoid getting too cold.

I spent most of the day snuggled up in a blanket watching the snow fall outside my window. It hadn't stopped snowing, and it had accumulated to three feet around noon. It was around then when my phone buzzed with a text from Ellie Hiyar.

Hi sis

We really need to talk

alright

whats the prob

Can you meet me at Café com Leite in 15 min

I cant do this over text

I hesitated. The roads seemed clear enough, but it was snowing pretty hard. Then again, this seemed important.

kk

see u there

Ten minutes later, I was sitting in Café com Leite, our local cafe, sipping a hot chocolate and listening to Mac Demarco with my airpods while waiting for Ellie. She showed up two minutes after me, snow speckled in her dark hair. She nervously sat across from me after ordering a receiving a black coffee and a poppy seed muffin.

"Hey," I greeted her, smiling. I never thought that I would be meeting Ellie Hiyar in my free time, let alone willingly. But things change, people grow up.

"Hi. I'm sorry I made you come out in this snow, I just... needed to get this off my chest, and I didn't know who else to talk to. I think you're the only one that will understand, being so close to Jack and all," she explained. I was honestly touched by Ellie trusting me so much. Just a few months ago we would be the last people on earth to willingly talk to each other.

"So this is about Jack?" I asked. She nodded ashamedly.

"Please don't get mad at what I'm about to say," she asked.

"Of course not. Go ahead, you're making me nervous," I sighed. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Ok, um, so Jack's a great guy, right? He's funny and adorable and just great. But-" she faltered. I took a sip of my hot chocolate and she went on.

"I-I don't think I like him anymore."

I choked on my drink.

"W-what," I sputtered. Ellie and Jack were inseparable. She never left his side, and as much as she intimidated him, he really liked her.

"I know, I know. I suck. But let me explain," she begged. I nodded, prompting her to persist.

"I've been trying to convince myself it's Jack I like. I'm doing everything I can. But it's not him."

"Well then break up with him. You can't keep leading him on like this. He deserves better," I told her.

"I know. But I really like spending time with him, I just don't think I feel a connection with him the way I feel one with... with the person I like."

"Who do you like. It's fine, you can tell me."

"I'm really sorry Madison, but I never got over... well... I- I like... Finn."

My mouth physically fell open. What. The. Fuck. How is this happening. Ellie took my best friend from me and now she wants my boyfriend.

"Please don't get mad. I'm not done explaining," she pleaded.

"Fine," I spat.

"Breaking up with Finn was the worst decision I ever made. But the distance was so hard and, well, he was cheating on me. And I wanted to tell you because, um, I think he might be doing the same to you."

"Ok. I'm done. You must be kidding. You can not be serious right now, Ellie. You call me in the middle of a blizzard, make me drive across town to this shitty cafe, then you have the nerve to tell me you don't like your boyfriend anymore, who is my best friend. Then you go on to say that you still like Finn, my boyfriend, even though you broke up with him. To top it off you have the audacity to tell me that he cheated on you, and you think he's doing the same to me. You're just a jealous bitch. Fuck you, Ellie." I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the coffee shop.

"Wait, please," Ellie called after me, but I ignored her. I jumped into my car and speeded home as fast as I could. I ran inside and went straight to my room, tears already threatening my eyes. All that time Ellie had taken from Jack and I. All those times I had to hold back from making witty remarks about her. All that time I trusted her, had even become her friend. She was just using Jack as a rebound to get over Finn. And she thought Finn cheated on her. She thought Finn was cheating on me. Perfect Finn. Doing something so wrong. Impossible. Tears fell from my eyes and dropped down my face, leaving wet trails in their wake. I felt confused and betrayed.

"Madison, the school just called. You have a snow day tomorrow!" My mom called from downstairs. Good, at least I could spend some quality time with just Jack tomorrow.

"Great, thanks," I responded. Even with the good news, I was still upset. I decided to call Finn. He could calm me down. Unlikely for me, it went to voicemail.

On facetime with my band practicing

Call u later

oh ok

ily

💙

At the same time as Finn, Jack texted me.

💛

Snow day tomorrow! ☃️🌨⛷❄

yay!!!!

we r gonna make the best snowman everrrrr

💛

U bet!

Can I invite Finn

ofc

💛

And Ellie?

DOUBLE DATE!!!!!!

eh

maybe not

💛

But I thought you guys were friends now

its complicated

💛

Oh ok

We'll have fun anyways!

see you tomorrow

💛

C u tomorrow 😁