The Snowball Effect

by Haley Cass

“Yes. Therefore, when you show up, in Emma’s face, at a seven – even at six in the morning or after a long day of work – Emma will automatically want to, um… get away.” Sutton winced. “I couldn’t think of a more delicate way to say that.”

Emma is right here

“Where’s my chicken salad?” Regan’s eyebrows furrowed in obvious confusion for several moments before something dawned on her. “Oh! I had to throw it out. And the other perishables we had in there. The power was off for a few hours, and I was worried that something smelled… not right? I couldn’t determine what it was, but I didn’t want to chance it.” Emma stared, feeling like she was on crazy pills. “So, you got rid of everything. Even my things.”

Reagan is so anoying

Was food really all that important? Emma pondered that important philosophical question as she pushed the cart up and down the aisles at the store, following Regan. Who – surprise, surprise – seemed to like to talk through all of her choices before depositing things in the cart.

Yea id crash out at Regean

As she sat in the kitchen, thoughtfully sipping her coffee Sunday morning, she had to admit something to herself: this living situation was approaching DEFCON 1 levels.

Shes annoying

She had no problem admitting she didn’t do well when left to her own devices for too long. When she didn’t have a person to rely on. To quality spend time with and feel close to.

Ew

“Do you want to come in?” Regan offered, pulling the door open wider as she stepped back. “Sorry, I should have offered earlier.” “I’d love to!”

Why would you let her in???? Have her wait outside

Emma had told her mom she was excited about them living together?! The very thought seemed unimaginable to Regan, but she wouldn’t deny that it pleased her. Maybe, somehow, they were turning a corner? Had it been the grocery shopping adventure?

You’re dumb

The door across the hallway from Regan’s own was firmly shut, as it always was, now. She’d gone from living with Sutton, who had lived in this very room with an open door ninety percent of the time, to living with someone who acted like her room held state secrets.

Sutton is insane

“Emma, do you literally have every second of your life planned on this calendar?” Regan asked, gesturing to the poster board-size calendar next to her. Every single day was written for the month, with Emma’s clear and concise writing listing everything she did. Holy shit. “Do you know that we have the internet? You could do this in a magic little app on your phone and have it with you all of the time.”

Shut up Regan

“Hey, we’re both women here. I’ve seen Sutton change a million times.” “And, for the millionth time, I’m not Sutton.”

Thank you!!

Emma could literally feel herself hitting the breaking point as she glared incredulously at Regan. “It’s not just an entertaining story; this is my life. My life with my mom. My grandmother calling me, trying to make plans to meet you, too. I’m the one who has to figure this all out, and it’s really not entertaining.” Regan’s mouth dropped open. “Your grandmother wants to meet me?!” She clapped her hands as if she were high-fiving herself. “Yes! Okay. You tell me where and when, and I will be girlfriend-ready.”

Is Reghan dumb??

“But fooling Kimberly that you and I are together is one thing; my gram actually knows me. More than that, I had to manage the pressure of her disliking Felicity – well-educated, organized, responsible, ambitious Felicity – for years. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to manage the flack I’d catch for being with you.”

Ew mean

“Do you even realize that all you just did was highlight that your bad attitude is why we’ve never been able to have a positive relationship?”

??? What

Regan studied Emma as if reading her for the first time, a frown etching into her face. “So, congratulations, Emma; you finally get exactly what you’ve wanted since you moved in. I’ll stop texting you, stop trying to hang out with you. You wanted a roommate you barely have to speak to, and you finally got her. Because I am so done trying.”

Honestly finaly. Could end the book here

“But it’s only nine-thirty, and the appointment is at ten. I told you that you didn’t even have to be here until nine forty-five.”

Are we fucking serious??

Leaning back with a shrug, Regan answered honestly, “I like to talk about my problems. If you’re asking, I’m going to tell you.”

Me!

“The trick to never letting that get to you is knowing that if someone doesn’t truly know you, ninety-nine percent of the time? Their opinion says far more about them than it does about you. Or, in the words of my grandmother: judgments made in ignorance are better left ignored.”

Ate

Regan cut her off, determined to not be dragged back into the headspace she’d been in pre-Charlotte. “If you’re going to make an apology to me that you obviously don’t mean, then I don’t want to hear it.”

Honestly yes

“Now that we’ve worked through your problem – undoubtedly faster as a trio – I think you can decide what to do with your newfound truth after work, no?” Allegra lifted her eyebrows as she gave Emma and Brynn a look before turning to walk to her desk.

Wait I like her. She chill

She lifted Mr. Cuddles in front of her, clearing her throat as she dipped her voice a few octaves and spoke through him. “This is what Mr. Cuddles voice sounds like. And Emma wants you to know that she really is sorry.”

Ok cute

“I guess I’ve never known when to quit,” Regan admitted, her voice soft. There was no showing of bravado as her smile dimmed slightly. “I honestly think that because you seemed so resistant to me, I put in even more time and energy trying to get you to like me. Which, is crazy.”

Yea no