“Okay, well we have something that we think is going to cheer you up,” Juliana says, and I honestly can’t even start to get excited. I listen in silence as she continues. “After we dropped you off last night, Shay, DeShaun, and I went back to my place and got online. We were all tipsy, but we did some searching and found something. Something amazing considering the timing. Wanna know what it is?”

“Why?” I ask.

“Why what?” Juliana says.

“Why do you have to torture me with it? Isn’t it obvious I’m already being tortured enough? Why drag it out instead of just telling me?”

“Because I want to see your face when I tell you,” Juliana tries to explain, but my hangover has me feeling like the Wicked Witch of the West.

“God, just tell me already. Either tell me or shoot me in the face. Those are the options.”

“What kind of options are those?” DeShaun says, and I can sense his frowning face from beneath the blanket. I’d glare at him if I could, but I don’t even want to move.

“Oh god, don’t make it mad, DeShaun,” Juliana scolds. “Okay sweetie, we heard you loud and clear last night, and even though Shay couldn’t be here this morning because she’s taking care of her baby boy, this little gift is from all of us. Alina, someone very important to you is going to be at Christiana Mall.”

I slowly slide the covers from over my face and look up at Juliana, who looks stunning as always, even in just a white crop top and black leggings.

“Who?” I ask with a suspicious frown.

“Guess,” she says, and I nearly lose it.

“I will literally kill you until you're dead.”

“What? Never mind. Okay, it’s Nathan Booker,” Juliana says, followed by a huge grin from both her and DeShaun.

My head still throbs with every beat of my heart, but I manage to sit up and look at them both. “You have my attention. Continue.”

With a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon, Juliana says, “Nathan Booker is going to the Barnes & Noble in Christiana Mall for an exclusive, ticket-only book signing next weekend. Shay, DeShaun, and I are all going to go see him and maybe get some books signed. Oh, and we got you a ticket, too.”

The excitement that fills my body feels like a balloon expanding in my belly until it fills up my entire torso, before spreading out through my arms and legs and finally stopping in my head. I want to jump up and down with joy but I’m pretty sure that would kill me, so all I can give is a wide-eyed stare coupled with a face-stretching smile that reaches my ears.