When You Least Expect It

by Haley Cass

she notices how Hannah immediately straightens out and freezes for a moment, as soon as she hears Caroline’s voice. It’s only a second, but it’s there and Caroline feels it. When Hannah turns around, though, there’s a relieved smile on her face. It shocks Caroline wordless, because... what? It is so far from the look she’d had on her face last night, so warm in that way Hannah has, that surprise takes over anything else. Surprise and this little feeling of hope in her stomach. This little feeling that admittedly hasn’t completely died all night, apparently. Even when she’d thought it had. “You came.” That relief is in Hannah’s tone as well, as she puts the stack of cupcake carriers down to shut the trunk of her car. Caroline’s nerves feel so frayed, her hands shake slightly as she tangles them awkwardly in front of her. “Of course, it’s Abbie’s party.”