Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting

Thirty-One

Nadira

We agreedto meet at the north trailhead at Emerson Trails the next day after school.

I slept fitfully, not able to get his words or my fears out of my mind. When it was finally time to wake up, I got out of bed and slouched to the bathroom, taking my time in the shower. I worked product through my hair to help my curls stay defined and even applied a light layer of makeup to my skin.

I couldn’t help but think this would be his first real impression of me. This could be how he would remember me for years to come, whether today went as well as I hoped or horribly, horribly wrong. All there was to do was hope that Apollo knew me well enough to understand.

While I’d expected the poor night’s sleep, I never imagined how difficult school would be. I could hardly pay attention—even in math class. Throughout lunch, my friends tried to talk me up, but my stomach weaved itself into such tight knots I couldn’t even eat. Sensing how nervous I was, they offered to meet me on the front steps after school to help pep me up for my meeting with Apollo. I gladly took them up on it.

Even though the day moved glacially slow, I still wasn’t ready when the final bell rang. With my stomach in knots, I met my friends at the steps of the school while students weaved past us, toward the parking lot.

“How are you feeling?” Des asked.

My stomach quivered in response. “What if he hates me?”

Faith put her hand on my arm. “If he hates you, he doesn’t know you well enough.”

“Exactly,” Cori agreed. “At least you’re telling him the truth now, and not letting him find out on his own or just ghosting him.”

I nodded slowly, and Adriel squeezed my side. “It’s going to be okay. He cares about you. He’ll understand.”

I nodded, but then my eyes caught an unusual sight.

A guy in a military uniform was moving through the parking lot, carrying a massive bouquet of flowers.

My lips parted. I recognized him.

Des followed my gaze. “What?”

“That’s Apollo,” I breathed.

And it was clear where he was going. Tatiana and Isabella sat on a bench together with a couple of guys. He had seen Tatiana and was heading her way. “He thinks she’s me,” I choked out.

My friends’ eyes widened, and Cori gave me a gentle push. “Go!”

Despite feeling like concrete, my legs sprang into action and I stutter-stepped down the stairs, going as quickly as my body would carry me.

I rushed toward him, watching in horror as he stepped ever closer to Tatiana. As he approached her and said, “Hey.”

She looked up at him, and I could hear her reply a confused, “Hello?”

“It’s me, Nadira.” He patted his chest, right over where his name was on his uniform pocket. “Your pen pal, Apollo.”

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing in on me. She turned back to Apollo, and I was terrified she was going to tell him the news. That she wasn’t Nadira. That I was, and that I’d been lying.

But what she said was so much worse.

Her lips curled into a grin as she stood. “Apollo! It’s so good to meet you.”

He smiled back, handing her the flowers that had been meant for me. “You’re even more beautiful than the picture you sent me.”

Tatiana chuckled. “Thank you.”

Isabella cleared her throat. “Who is this, Tat?”

Tatiana gestured her thin arm at Apollo. “Didn’t you hear? He’s my pen pal.”

He extended his hand toward Isabella, saying, “Are you the dancer?”

Isabelle chuckled. “I am.”

The scene unfolded in front of me like a train wreck, complete with the ear shattering sounds of crashing metal. Or maybe that was just my brain imploding. Either way, there was nothing I could do to stop it. Nothing I could do to look away.

“Sorry,” Apollo said. “I know I was supposed to meet you at the trails, but I couldn’t wait. I thought I would surprise you.”

Hearing him speak, saying that he was excited, snapped me out of my state. I stepped forward, saying, “Apollo, I—”

Tatiana said, “Apollo, this is my friend Tatiana!” She turned toward me and said, “This is my pen pal.”

My lips parted as Apollo took me in, a cool look crossing his features.

“We’ve met,” he said. “Kind of. She went on a date with my roommate.”

Each word, the way he said it, void of the warmth he’d given Tatiana crushed my heart in two. I couldn’t speak for the lump forming in my throat. Could hardly blink through the pain of growing tears.

“Want to get out of here?” Tatiana asked him.

He gave her a crooked grin that was meant for me. “Thought you’d never ask.”

They walked away, his arm dropping around her narrow waist as I stared at them.

He opened the door of his car, parked in a visitor spot, and let her in the passenger side, then walked around to his side of the car, not even looking at me before getting in and driving away.

Des was at my side, breathing hard. “Nadira, what happened?”

Adriel and Faith were close behind.

“Where did he go?” Adriel asked.

Tears slipped over my cheeks. “He’s gone.”

Des put her arm around me, almost holding me up. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”