The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet-Cute, #1)

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 13, 2019

Subject: Happy Valentine’s Day

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

Happy Valentine’s Day, T.

C.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Okay (1) are you eighty? And (2) did you just reveal to me that you are in the eastern time zone, my dude? If not, you sent it early and I think that means I’m the official winner and I’m calling it, as I am the keeper of the rulebook.

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day I am not in the eastern time zone, however, the Time Stamp Rule Book accepts my victory. You are the keeper only of the Detail & Privacy Rule Book.

I am the king of 2019. The end.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Ok I’m going to let you have this one because it seems like you really need it.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day I do. Today was a shit day.

But whatever. I’m curious to know if you moved and how you’re doing.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day I did move. Pretty far, tbh. I’m doing . . . okay. I was really homesick at first, but I’ve made some good friends. I also have my [sport redacted] teammates . . . I think you’re an athlete, too, so you know there’s a built-in social circle there, which has been good.

I think the hardest thing for me is figuring out what I want to do. Everyone coming into college with us knows exactly what they want to do with their lives. Like, my roommate is obsessed with guinea pigs and volunteers at practically every animal shelter in this city. She will absolutely end up working with animals in some capacity and has always known that. I like a lot of things, but I don’t LOVE any one thing. It feels scary, you know? To worry I might commit to something because I have to but not because I love it.

Why was today a shit day?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day My youngest sister had a guinea pig growing up (named Freckles, I figure pet names are exempt from the name rules, also she died like 7 years ago and has no online presence) and the rest of us were deeply uninterested in holding Freckles or having anything to do with her. But then we realized Sister #3 was allergic and instead of finding another home for her, our parents moved Freckles into Sister #2’s room, and even years later Sister #2’s room smells like rodent bedding. This injustice has been brought up at many a family dinner.

Anyway, I get that feeling of pressure about choosing a major immediately. I came in thinking I knew what I wanted to do and pivoted last year (sophomore) to something related but different, and it was fine. I feel like there’s this expectation that you’ll come in at 18 and know exactly what it is you’ll do for the rest of your life, but it isn’t realistic. Luckily my three sisters went through it first and reassured me that it didn’t matter that much. Do it at your own pace.

And today was shitty because I ended things with the girl I was seeing, and one of my sisters was in a car accident. She’s okay, but banged up, and it sucks not being home for that stuff.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Shit I told you I have three sisters. I hope I have not broken the rules per D&P.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It’s fine, I told you I have a younger brother. But omg that’s scary about the car accident. I totally get wanting to be home for that stuff. I have a little bit of a similar situation here. My mom is fine but had a lumpectomy in November for Stage I breast cancer, and it sucked not being there. Winter break was good for some Mom cuddles and hang time, but then coming back here where it’s freezing is hard.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Oh man, T, I’m sorry about your mom. I hope she makes a full recovery. How are you holding up?

And yeah, the weather is a rough transition, isn’t it?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Thanks, C, I’m doing okay. Just trying to be helpful to her as much as possible. It looks like she will be okay, we caught it early.

And wait—did you break up with a girl the day before Valentine’s Day? You couldn’t give it 48 hours?

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day I did. I know. A dick move. But she got 4 more months than she should have, according to my friends.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Oh was she mean to my friend c.sun16? Do I have a beef with this woman now?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It wasn’t the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in, I’ll say that. As one of my sisters reminded me, it’s always good to recognize what doesn’t work for me. So it’s all good.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day It is all good. You get to be your own valentine today. Just like me. How’s this: let’s both go find a soup dumpling place and enjoy the hell out of it.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

T.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2019

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day Perfect. I’ll eat a saucy, steamy dumpling in your honor.

Have a good one, T. See you back here next year, C.





Chapter Seven


2020


From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Oh my god we both forgot. There will be no victor this year.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Oh noooooo, we suck! This makes me so sad!

I mean, to be fair, it’s a weird vibe right now? I’m not sure where you are, but things where I am are feeling . . . a little stressful.

I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day, though. Did you do anything fun? I’m going to get soup dumplings tonight in your honor.

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Yeah, I feel this, too. Be safe.

I didn’t do anything yesterday. Hung out with some friends, but nothing romantic.

How is your mom doing?

I’ll get some dumplings tonight, too.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

My mom is doing great, thank you for remembering. She’s a badass.

Omg wait I just realized you graduate this spring! Congratulations! Do you know what you’re doing after college?

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day?

Yeah, I’m headed to grad school in [you won’t want me to tell you what city] for [you won’t want me to tell you what program]. Also I meant to ask you whether you ever felt like you connected with something for your major? I know that had been stressing you out a bit.

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Date: February 15, 2020