- 10 minutes ago
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:02Since childhood, I've seen what no one else can.
00:05Red threads above people's heads.
00:07When two people care about each other, a red thread ties them together.
00:10But the second they stop caring, it flickers.
00:13We're done, and then pop, it's gone.
00:15I had loved Graham Vale from high school through college.
00:18When Graham's team started falling behind...
00:21Nora should go over there and work her charm on number seven.
00:24His teammates joked that I should go charm number seven on the other team.
00:27Why not? Go flirt with him.
00:30So I carried a bottle of water to number seven on the other team.
00:37Later, the boy I gave that water to went on to Dallas Graham's team.
00:41And when our fingers brushed, a brand new red thread appeared between us.
00:47Nora, aren't you leaving yet?
00:50Leaving for where?
00:51Wait, Graham didn't tell you business is playing engineering in a friendly tonight?
00:55The other girls in our shared room looked over at the same time.
00:58At Halathan, just as in high school, there always seemed to be some pretty girl at his side.
01:05Why would he tell me? Aren't you too close?
01:07I thought he'd definitely ask you to come watch him play.
01:10When I confessed to Graham in high school...
01:12Nora, I don't date in high school.
01:15We'll talk about it after we get to college.
01:18I had waited. Then I got in to illicit with him.
01:21At college, Graham was still surrounded by beautiful girls.
01:25He never called any of them his girlfriend.
01:28They were always just friends.
01:34Eventually, I understood that I was probably only one of those friends too.
01:38Above my head, the thread to Graham that had once been the thickest had thinned to the point of breaking.
01:43Above his head, there were several, tangled together, and reaching in different directions toward girls I did not know.
01:49One of them ran to Sloan.
01:51Whenever I let myself hope he meant more than he said, the thread between us trembled, as if warning me
01:56to wake up.
01:58Sloan watched me for a moment, then smiled with quiet satisfaction.
02:02Business and engineering scheduled a friendly.
02:04Come with me, Nora. We can go watch.
02:07I wanted to say no. The refusal reached my mouth and stopped there.
02:11Because Graham would be playing, I still wanted to go.
02:20Sloan walked ahead in her fitted jacket, already lifting a hand toward the College of Business dugout.
02:25Vail! Your little fan is here again!
02:28One of Graham's teammates spotted me first.
02:30Graham turned toward me.
02:32Why are you here?
02:34My chest dropped. Was I really that unwelcome?
02:38Graham, I asked Nora to come with me.
02:40You only invited one girl, and I didn't want to be bored.
02:42Her voice was soft and pampered, making their closeness impossible to miss.
02:46She had been invited by Graham. I had come without being asked.
02:50Above the bright bleachers, the red thread between Sloan and Graham glowed faintly as it swayed in the wind.
02:55Beside it, my red thread barely showed. Another gust might erase it.
03:01Sloan and I took seats in the front row of the bleachers, and the game started soon after.
03:06Graham!
03:08Sloan cheered loudly whenever Graham came to bat or made a play in the field.
03:11He looked toward our section more than once.
03:13See? Graham keeps looking at me. I'm worried I'm gonna throw him off this game.
03:16I kept myself from rolling my eyes.
03:18Concern was unnecessary.
03:20Graham was not playing well enough for anyone in the stands to be the problem.
03:24Their infield turned everything cleanly.
03:27They were ahead of business in every way that mattered.
03:30After the third inning, the umpire called a short water break.
03:33Sloan hurried down to the business dugout with a bottle of water.
03:37Of course, she gave it to only one person.
03:39Graham took the bottle from her and drank.
03:41Before he did, he looked at me again.
03:44A few business players had begun talking about Engineering's lineup.
03:48Number seven is unreal. Navarro, right?
03:52I heard he's still single.
03:54School has plenty of pretty girls. Set him up with one and maybe he'll cut us some slack for once.
03:59Someone noticed me.
04:01Send Nora.
04:04Are you stupid?
04:05Everybody knows Nora likes Vae. That makes it better.
04:07She can flirt with Navarro while still carrying a torch for our captain.
04:11Get him a girlfriend and maybe he won't have all that energy left for the field.
04:16They laughed, building on one another until the joke turned rude and every version of it was about me.
04:22Graham stood a few feet away and didn't stop them.
04:26Graham, what do you think? Is that a good idea?
04:29He sounded as though none of it mattered.
04:32Sure. Why not?
04:35The thin red thread that had tied me to him for years went completely still.
04:39For the first time in my life, the space above my head was empty.
04:44For one hot second, I was furious.
04:46Then Graham answered, and something inside me loosened instead.
04:49I smiled.
04:50Fine. I'll give it a try.
04:52I happen to think he looks good when he plays.
04:54Graham's expression changed.
04:56I took a bottle of water and crossed toward the engineering dugout.
04:59Eli Navarro was sitting on the bench during the water break, laughing with the players around him.
05:03Up close, I could finally see him clearly.
05:05He was not only good at baseball, he was unfairly good looking too.
05:08I tapped the middle of his back lightly with the bottle.
05:12Hi. Do you want some water?
05:13The conversation around him stopped.
05:15Several heads turned toward me. Heat rushed into my face.
05:18Well, damn. Another girl for Navarro to turn down.
05:21He cut himself off. Eli's mouth tipped up.
05:23He reached for my water. Our fingers brushed.
05:25The touch was warm enough that I pulled my hand back too quickly.
05:28And above us, a red thread I had never seen before rose from us at the same time.
05:32Met in midair, and pulled hot with a quiet snap.
05:34Thin but bright, it was a fresh, clean red.
05:36My thread with Graham had never been that colored.
05:41Thanks.
05:42You're welcome.
05:46What?
05:47You bring me water, then go back to cheer for other guys?
05:49The umpire called the teams back onto the field.
05:52Eli headed for the field, leaving his spot behind.
05:55The player who had called to me grinned.
05:57Hey, come sit here.
05:59I'm Drew.
06:00What's your name?
06:01You're not in engineering, are you?
06:03You're the first girl who's brought Navarro water and had him take it.
06:06The first?
06:06For once, luck had spared me the extra humiliation of being rejected too.
06:10Doesn't he get tired?
06:11He's played every inning.
06:15Navarro?
06:15That guy could play a doubleheader and still run a 5k afterwards.
06:18His exaggeration made me laugh.
06:20Then the player everyone had just praised with his stamina came back.
06:23Drew, you take short next inning.
06:27Navarro, I'm tired.
06:29You look fine to me.
06:30You haven't stopped talking since you sat down.
06:32Go.
06:33Eli's dark hair was damp with sweat.
06:35He pushed it back with one hand, grabbed the towel from the bench and sat beside me.
06:38What are you two talking about?
06:40You looked pretty happy.
06:41I blinked.
06:42He had been playing and still noticed that.
06:44Your eyesight is good.
06:45Before I could stop myself.
06:47Obviously.
06:47How else would I hit a pitch that well?
06:49The result of the friendly was never in doubt.
06:51When the teams lined up to shake hands, Graham looked furious.
06:54His gaze passed over the engineering players and landed on me.
06:57Are you coming back?
06:58Or do you like sitting over there that much?
07:00It was a friendly.
07:01He had lost one friendly.
07:02Did he have to sound so angry?
07:03I pressed my lips together, then looked at Eli.
07:05My friends are over there.
07:06I should go back.
07:07The moment I reached Sloan.
07:09Nora, did you know Eli Navarro before today?
07:11No.
07:12I just met him.
07:13See?
07:14Nora is just one of those girls boys like.
07:17I can't compete with her.
07:18I frowned.
07:18The sweetness in her voice was sharp enough to cut.
07:20Graham suggested getting food after the game.
07:22We should get food after the game.
07:24Nara, I'm going with them.
07:26You can head back by yourself.
07:28Okay.
07:28I nodded.
07:30You're coming too.
07:31Sloan's expression changed.
07:32Once, I would have been thrilled to get an invitation from Graham.
07:35I couldn't sit there all night and watch him flirt with other girls.
07:38No.
07:39I'm tired.
07:40He acted as though he had not heard me.
07:42Don't you always want to try that new place you told me about?
07:44He acted as though he had not heard me.
07:46When it had opened, I had sent him the link and asked him to go with me.
07:49He had always been too busy.
07:50His time had belonged to his newer friends.
07:52That was a long time ago.
07:54I don't want to go anymore.
07:56After I showered, I lay in bed and scrolled through Instagram.
07:59Five minutes earlier, Graham had posted a photo of himself and Sloan.
08:02Lost the game.
08:03Won you.
08:03My fingers stopped over the screen.
08:05For years, I had always checked to see whether the thread between Graham and me
08:08had gotten any thicker or brighter.
08:10There was nothing above me now.
08:12Just the ceiling.
08:12Somewhere out there, one of the red threads above Graham's head
08:15was drifting quietly toward the girl in the photo.
08:19Girls, come eat!
08:21Sloan came back to the chapter house carrying two bags of takeout.
08:25That place was so good.
08:27I wanted you to try it too.
08:28Graham paid.
08:29Our other roommates gathered around her at once.
08:31Graham really treats you differently.
08:33I saw his post.
08:34Are you two official now?
08:35She glanced at me before she smiled.
08:38Yeah.
08:39You caught us.
08:40When I did not move, Sloan came to the side of my bed.
08:43Nora, aren't you coming down for some?
08:46Thanks, but I already brushed my teeth.
08:48That's a shame.
08:49I picked it out specially.
08:50My phone buzzed.
08:52I had someone bring you food.
08:53Did you eat?
08:53That was always how Graham was.
08:55The day after he turned down my high school confession,
08:57he brought me my favorite breakfast
08:59and said he had gone out of his way to get it.
09:01One slap, one piece of candy.
09:02I kept telling myself he hadn't chosen me
09:04just because he'd avoided dating in high school.
09:06The girls around him weren't his fault.
09:08I was different, but Graham did not like me.
09:10He only thought losing me would be a waste.
09:12Nora, I told myself, it was time to wake up.
09:14The next day, I arrived early for film appreciation
09:17and found two messages waiting for me.
09:24The three of us shared that class.
09:26Somehow, I was the only one who still cared.
09:29Funny seeing you here.
09:30I looked up.
09:31Eli was standing beside the empty seat next to mine.
09:33Apparently, the engineering shortstop was in film appreciation too.
09:36I nodded.
09:37He sat down beside me.
09:38Thanks for the water yesterday.
09:39My stomach tightened.
09:40Please don't ask why I gave it to you.
09:42He didn't.
09:43He pulled out his phone instead.
09:45Let me get your number, so you can save me a seat next time.
09:47The room was half empty.
09:49I looked around at all the open chairs.
09:50You seem capable of finding one.
09:53I'm picky.
09:53Before I could decide whether that was an anisw,
09:56when a dog filled the screen, I knew I was in trouble.
09:58Last time, I cried through the whole movie.
10:01The professor called on me because I was the only one paying attention.
10:04I dropped my gaze to my phone.
10:06You're not watching?
10:08Afraid you'll cry?
10:09How did he know?
10:12It's okay.
10:13You can cry.
10:14I came prepared.
10:16The red thread between Eli and me turned a shade darker.
10:19Do you come prepared to every class?
10:23Only the ones where someone might need me.
10:26The lecture hall door opened behind us.
10:28Every head turned.
10:30Nora.
10:31Sloan forgot her notebook.
10:33It's in your bag.
10:33For a second, no one moved.
10:35Then the whispers started.
10:37I knew that look.
10:38Graham wore it whenever something slipped beyond his control.
10:41Sloan's notebook isn't in my bag.
10:43Come outside.
10:44Why?
10:45Nora.
10:45She asked why.
10:46This isn't your business.
10:47You walked into a lecture hall in the middle of class.
10:50You made it everyone's business.
10:52The door opened again.
10:54Sloan came in with her bag over one shoulder.
10:56Clearly annoyed to find Graham there.
10:59What are you doing?
11:00Seriously, Nora?
11:01You brought him water yesterday.
11:03And now you're already sitting with him?
11:06Sloan.
11:07What?
11:08Not now.
11:09You skipped our plans to come here over this?
11:11I just want to talk.
11:13About what?
11:14Yesterday, your teammates made me a joke.
11:16They said whatever they wanted about me.
11:18You said,
11:19Sure.
11:19Why not?
11:20You could have stopped them.
11:22I didn't think you'd actually…
11:24Exactly.
11:25No red thread flickered above us.
11:27Ours had disappeared yesterday.
11:29The space above my head was empty.
11:32The professor cleared her throat.
11:34Ahem.
11:35Mr. Vale.
11:36Unless you have enrolled in this class, you need to leave.
11:39Graham looked at Eli once more.
11:42This isn't over.
11:44Graham left without another word.
11:46Sloan followed a moment later, and the door snapped shut behind her.
11:49I stared at the movie screen without seeing it.
11:52You okay?
11:53I will.
11:56When I came out, Eli was waiting by the railing outside the lecture hall, looking at his phone.
12:01You're still here?
12:03I was waiting for you.
12:04We had barely reached the service lane beside Greek Row, when an e-scooter shot around the corner.
12:11Eli caught my arm and pulled me against him.
12:14The rider swerved, overcorrected, and clipped Eli's knee before tearing away.
12:20Eli!
12:21You need urgent care.
12:23If I go, the doctor will probably tell me I almost healed before I got there.
12:27Sit.
12:28The tea shop was half a block back.
12:30I came out with two milk teas and a bag of ice.
12:33I thought you went to buy me an orange.
12:35Put this on your knee.
12:36It could swell.
12:37You're worried about my leg.
12:39You need it for baseball.
12:40The elimination rounds are coming.
12:43I sat beside him and pushed a straw into the second drink.
12:46I didn't know what flavor you liked, so I got what I like.
12:51Has anyone told you you're cute?
12:56Nora, I was really glad you brought me water yesterday.
12:59Come cheer for me at the next game.
13:01She won't.
13:03He stood a few feet away with Sloan beside him.
13:06She looked at the ice on Eli's knee, then the milk tea in his hand, then at me, sitting
13:12close enough that our knees nearly touched.
13:15What happened?
13:17An e-scooter hit him.
13:18So you just ran off with him?
13:22After everything yesterday?
13:24I didn't run off.
13:25He got hurt protecting me.
13:27You should have called me.
13:29Why?
13:31So you could send her to another dugout?
13:33Graham's face hardened.
13:35Stay out of this, Navarro.
13:37No.
13:38Not when you're talking to her like she belongs to you.
13:41Graham, are you really letting him talk to you like that because of her?
13:44Not now, Sloan.
13:46She went still.
13:48Graham reached for my wrist.
13:49I stepped back before he could touch me.
13:53Don't.
13:53The anger left his face.
13:55For a second, he just looked lost.
13:58Eli came to stand beside me and said nothing.
14:01Graham glanced down at our shadows on the pavement.
14:04Fine.
14:05But don't come to the next game wearing his colors.
14:07Above us, the red tread between Eli and me pulled tight.
14:13Eli sent me a screenshot of the College Cup schedule.
14:16I stared at it longer than I meant to.
14:18He had waited after class, walked me home, and asked me to come to his next game.
14:23Was that too much to read into?
14:25He could not possibly like me.
14:27We had known each other for days.
14:29He was probably just nice.
14:31That night, Eli asked me to play an online game with him.
14:34Cue with me. My aim is in stain.
14:36Shouldn't you be practicing? Your game is coming up.
14:39Work-life balance.
14:41Besides, playing business easy.
14:43I hate people who brag.
14:44So? You in?
14:46Fine, Grandpa.
14:47He carried the whole match while I mostly stayed alive and tried not to embarrass myself.
14:52Slane came in just as the round ended.
14:55Without asking, she pulled one side of my headphones off.
14:58What are you doing?
14:59Did you delete Graham?
15:01Yeah. Why?
15:03Nora, are you upset because Graham and I are together?
15:08I know you've liked him forever, but it isn't your fault he doesn't like you.
15:12You don't need to do this.
15:14I looked at the time and cut her off.
15:16Do you have nothing better to do?
15:19You're home early.
15:20Did Graham have somewhere else to be after your date?
15:23What are you talking about?
15:24Apparently, I had hit a nerve.
15:26You're jealous of me. Don't pretend you aren't.
15:29Before I could answer,
15:31Nora, is everything okay over there?
15:33I had forgotten the game chat was still open.
15:35Looks like you traded Graham for Navarro.
15:37Did he know business sent you to flirt with him, hoping he'd go easy on them?
15:41Stop talking.
15:43I quit the game and stood.
15:45Did I say anything untrue?
15:46I opened a video from another business student's story and held the screen out to her.
15:50In it, Graham was singing karaoke with another girl.
15:52Maybe worry about Graham.
15:54Your boyfriend looks like he's about to get himself a new girlfriend.
15:56She stared at the screen.
15:58Her face changed at once.
16:00Who said I had to let her make me miserable alone?
16:03Slalom stormed onto the balcony to call Graham.
16:06When the room was quiet again, I opened my chat with Eli.
16:09I typed, deleted, and typed again.
16:12I wanted to explain. I just did not know how.
16:15Then his message appeared.
16:17Nora, are you writing a dissertation in my chat box?
16:20I forced myself to send the truth.
16:24I'm sorry. During the friendly, business made a joke about you and me.
16:28That was why I brought you water.
16:30But, I wasn't trying to get you to take it easy on them.
16:33I wanted you to beat them.
16:35Eli replied almost immediately.
16:37Then I should thank them.
16:40For what?
16:41For giving me a chance to meet you.
16:42I stared at the message for a full minute.
16:45Then I typed, Eli, do you like me?
16:48My thumb hovered over send.
16:50Finally, I pressed it.
16:52I regretted it at once.
16:54What if I ruined even a friendship that had barely begun?
17:00I wanted you to hear this from me.
17:02He said.
17:03Yes, Nora. I like you.
17:06It was real.
17:07After the first shock, something small and bright rose inside me.
17:12Like a bobber, lifting on still water.
17:15The College Cup elimination game arrived quickly.
17:19Engineering was assigned the inner field.
17:21As I passed the business bleachers, carrying a bag of sports drinks, Sloan laughed.
17:26Some people really will do anything to be noticed.
17:29You'd think she was the team manager.
17:31Seriously.
17:32Buy all that stuff and Graham still won't look at her.
17:34Not like he looks at you, Sloan.
17:37Nora! Back to see Vale again?
17:39The business team looked over.
17:40Graham glanced at the bag in my hand.
17:43Pointless.
17:44What did you buy? If Vale won't drink it, we will.
17:47Two players stepped closer.
17:49Don't waste a good gesture.
17:51I had not said any of it was for them.
17:53Before I could answer, someone said my name.
17:56Eli came toward me quickly.
17:57He took the bag from my hand, then gently closed his other hand around my wrist.
18:01He smiled at Graham and the others.
18:02My girl. I'm taking her with me.
18:06He led me toward the engineering dugout.
18:09Whispers followed us from the first row.
18:11Ellie's teammates grinned when they saw us.
18:15I thought you'd have water, so I brought sports drinks for everyone.
18:20That bag is heavy.
18:24I asked you to bring water for me, not become the whole team's manager.
18:30I dug through the bag and handed him one bottle.
18:33Here. You're the most special. Yours is bigger than everybody else's.
18:36Drew spit out the water he had just swallowed.
18:38The dugout looked silent as everyone tried not to laugh.
18:42Ellie's face turned red.
18:45I frowned.
18:46What? I mean, the bottle's bigger.
18:48As the teams took the field, Eli turned and called toward me.
18:53Nora, watch this. I'm going to destroy them.
18:56The engineering bleachers erupted.
18:57My heart skipped, then began to pound.
18:59Business came after Eli hard.
19:01Graham shifted toward him whenever he could, and every at-bat brought another attempt to get him out.
19:05Ellie stayed calm. When they pitched around him, he took the walk.
19:08When they gave him something to hit, he drove it to the outfield.
19:10Engineering kept scoring. Business only got more desperate.
19:13Their errors multiplied, and Graham was charged with a costly fielding error in the six.
19:17Ellie's final hit dropped just inside the foul line.
19:20The last out followed, and engineering won.
19:21During the handshake line, Eli said something to the business players that made Graham slam his water bottle against the
19:27fence.
19:29What did you say?
19:30When Eli reached me, he leaned close.
19:32I told him I already took it easy because my girlfriend told me to.
19:35Otherwise, they would have lost even worse.
19:37That was brutal. I had not told him to take it easy, and I was not even his girlfriend yet.
19:41You're getting very good at making things up.
19:43They picked on you.
19:44He looked genuinely offended on my behalf.
19:46They deserved it.
19:48You're such a child.
19:49Hey.
19:50He tipped his head toward me, eyes bright.
19:52You still haven't told me whether I played well today.
19:56I laughed and put a towel over his damp hair.
20:00Eli Navarro, you were incredible today.
20:03Eli's team insisted on celebrating, and insisted I come.
20:06Those drinks won us the game!
20:08Yeah!
20:09Navarro was practically superhuman after Nora showed up.
20:12Their excuses were terrible, but they were trying to make me feel welcome.
20:16If you want to come, come with us.
20:18There's a new barbecue place near campus.
20:20If you're tired, I'll take you home.
20:23I'll go.
20:24I was hungry too.
20:25The restaurant was packed, so we took a table outside.
20:28Business players passed by in their uniforms.
20:30Look who it is!
20:31Our favorite losers!
20:35One of them looked at me.
20:37Nora, you move fast.
20:39Eli's expression darkened.
20:42Watch your mouth.
20:44You already lost enough today.
20:45The guy shut up. Our food arrived.
20:48I reached for a sausage and ignored them.
20:50Nearby, Sloan tugged at Graham's sleeve.
20:52I don't want this. It's cheap, it's dirty, and it looks gross.
20:55The owner's face fell.
20:57It's good. Could we get the eggplant a little softer, please?
20:59The owner brightened.
21:00Absolutely. You'll love it.
21:02Eli smiled, then refilled my cup.
21:05Careful, it's hot.
21:05Graham shook off Sloan's hand and took a table beside ours.
21:09We're eating here. I'm paying.
21:11Sloan followed him anyway.
21:13During dinner, Drew suddenly pointed at me.
21:15Wait. I knew you looked familiar.
21:17We have that film class together. Film. Film.
21:19Film appreciation?
21:20Right! No wonder Navarro goes even when nobody checks attendance.
21:24Eli stuffed a chicken tender into Drew's mouth.
21:26Eat.
21:27Then he set a small plate of peeled shrimp in front of me.
21:30I stared at him.
21:32Don't worry. Clean hands. I wore gloves.
21:36That was not what I had been worried about.
21:38Graham came over then.
21:39Nora, I'll take you home when this is over.
21:42I don't like you being around these guys.
21:43Your parents would worry too.
21:45Drew pointed to his own chest.
21:47Are we the suspicious guys?
21:48Eli tipped his chin toward Graham.
21:49Can you even get her home?
21:50I finally swallowed the piece of food in my mouth,
21:53and looked at Graham as if he had lost his mind.
21:55Graham, are you sick?
21:57It's 8.30.
21:58I'm eating near campus with friends.
22:00What exactly would my parents worry about that I'll gain weight?
22:05Graham's table left in a hurry.
22:07Sloan gave me one last hard look on the way out.
22:10When we were ready to go, Drew slapped his forehead.
22:12I need shampoo!
22:14I need toothpaste! We're out of water!
22:17Their excuses were terrible.
22:18Every item they needed was at the campus store on the way back.
22:21Soon Eli and I were walking alone.
22:23Why do you like me?
22:25Is it only because I brought you water?
22:27He stopped.
22:29The first time I saw you in film class, you were crying at a movie.
22:32Your eyes were red, and you looked like a rabbit trying not to be seen.
22:36Then the professor called on you, and you looked even more like a rabbit.
22:39I thought that was cute.
22:41You said the dog in the movie was cute.
22:42I thought you were cuter.
22:44My face warm.
22:46After that, I saw you at the field a few times.
22:49Every time you came, I played harder.
22:50Then I realized you were there to watch somebody else.
22:53Your taste was terrible, by the way.
22:55Nobody on business was worth looking at.
22:57I laughed.
22:58So when you brought me water at the friendly,
23:01I thought my chance had finally come.
23:03His eyes were dark in the street light, and his cheeks were faintly pink.
23:07Eli, you're blushing.
23:10I'm not. It's the wind.
23:15Sure. Whatever you say.
23:21Eli walked me back to the Kappa Rho Sigma house.
23:24I was in such a good mood that the stairs did not feel like anything.
23:27Until Graham called.
23:32Nora, come down.
23:33The old command in his voice made me tired.
23:35I'm busy.
23:37If you don't come down, I'll stand outside and call your name until you do.
23:43So I went.
23:44The second I reached the front walk, Graham seized my wrist and pulled me aside.
23:48Let go of me.
23:49He held tighter until we were out of sight of the house.
23:52Are you with Eli now?
23:54You deleted me and got close to him on purpose.
23:56You wanted to make me jealous.
23:58I laughed, furious.
24:02Do you think everyone thinks the way you does?
24:04His voice softened.
24:05Fine.
24:06You got what you wanted.
24:08Let's be together.
24:09For a moment, I thought I had heard him wrong.
24:11What about Sloan?
24:12What does she have to do with it?
24:13That post was from a truth or dare game.
24:15It meant nothing.
24:16With one careless sentence, he tried to erase everything he had let hurt me.
24:19He stepped closer.
24:20Nora, isn't this what you wanted all these years?
24:23I can give it to you now.
24:24He sounded as if he were offering charity.
24:26But Graham, I really don't like you anymore.
24:29His face changed.
24:31Because of Eli?
24:33You've known him for days.
24:35What do you even know about him?
24:36What does the length of time have to do with it?
24:38We've known each other for years.
24:40And only now have I seen you clearly.
24:41I had first liked Graham because he had stood up to boys who were bothering someone in high school.
24:45But when your teammates made me into a joke, you should have defended me.
24:49Even as a friend, you should have defended me.
24:52You didn't.
24:53The place above our heads where our shared red thread had once been remained empty.
24:58A man who doesn't respect women isn't someone I can love.
25:03When I left, Graham was still standing where I had left him.
25:06He looked hurt.
25:07I felt lighter than I had in years.
25:08Letting go of someone could take forever.
25:10It could also happen in an instant.
25:12My phone held several messages from Eli.
25:14I'm back.
25:16Why aren't you answering?
25:18Did you disappear on the stairs?
25:20What does that mean?
25:22Ellie.
25:23Here.
25:24I sent him a photo of the restaurant Graham had always been too busy to try with me.
25:28This place looks so good.
25:29Ellie answered at once.
25:30Then let's go Saturday.
25:31Just us.
25:32Okay.
25:33Someone who liked you gave you the answer you had been waiting for.
25:36Saturday was going to be beautiful.
25:37I was going to be okay.
25:39So was he.
25:40I had a feeling Eli was about to make something official.
25:42The confession videos he liked kept appearing in my feed.
25:45He had also asked, very casually, what flowers I liked.
25:47I was excited.
25:48I was nervous.
25:49I started putting on makeup whenever we went out.
25:51Just in case.
25:52It still caught me off guard.
25:54During our evening film class,
25:56Eli texted that he had something to do and asked me to mark him present.
25:59The film was Pride and Prejudice.
26:02When Darcy stepped out of the morning mist,
26:04every light in the classroom went dark.
26:05When they came back on,
26:07Eli was walking toward me with a bouquet of pink peonies.
26:10He knelt beside my seat, his eyes bright.
26:13I spent a long time thinking about how to ask you.
26:17In the end, I chose the classroom where I first saw you,
26:19with a movie you love in front of us.
26:23Nora, you already know I like you.
26:26Now I want you to know that I want to be with you.
26:28Someone could come toward you carrying nothing but love and sincerity.
26:31One step at a time.
26:32Okay?
26:34The name is
26:35The name is Harry Coyote.
26:36The name is Arise.
26:36The name is Ann.