Potatoes and Priorities

The asparagus purée gleamed like green satin in the flicker of the overhead chandelier. Aynsley tilted the silver spoon, letting the thick, velvety swirl cascade onto her plate beside the roasted salmon. Across the polished mahogany table, her mother talked about biotech valuations, gesturing with a glass of chardonnay like it was a pointer in a boardroom. Her father glanced at his phone, muttering something about another viral TikTok dance that looked "borderline neurological."

Aynsley didn’t laugh. She bristled. Her father had been on about the evils of social media for months. Until then she had seen his side of the story, the distractions it brought, the temptations for time wasting, the mindless self-promotion. She respected her father; always had. He was intelligent and wise. But now things had changed.

Madison liked TikTok.

So obviously, Aynsley's father was wrong.

"Honestly," her father added, "that kind of thing is turning kids into narcissists. It's all performance, no substance."

Aynsley stabbed a baby potato a little too hard. The skin split. A warm puff of steam escaped. She didn't even look up.

Her mom waved it off with a tight smile. "It's a different world now. The girls are using it for influence, branding. It's a career path."

Madison had said something just like that a few weeks ago—before everything changed. Aynsley had rolled her eyes back then, muttered something about Madison being **** for attention, her father's words embedded in her mind.

But now?

Now, Aynsley thought she'd been the one missing something.

How many other things had she dismissed too quickly? Madison's hobbies. Madison's outfits. The guys Madison liked... Joey Granger. It used to be so easy to scoff at all of it, to act like she was above it. But now, when she looked at Madison, she didn't see desperation. She saw... confidence. Power. Peace. Like Madison had figured something out and just hadn't told anyone yet.

Aynsley's parents continued talking. Something about summer internships and alumni networking. Their voices faded, background static to the thoughts blooming in her head.

She dabbed the purée with her fork, smearing it into a little arc.

She would be graduating soon. That thought came out of nowhere, heavier than she expected. She and Madison had always planned on going to different schools—Aynsley had her sights set on the East Coast, something prestigious, just far enough from home. Madison had talked about staying in-state, close to family. They used to laugh about visiting each other, about long-distance friendship drama. It all felt a little naive now.

If Madison was right about Joey—and she was—then what else was she right about?

School. Major. Career...

Madison was Aynsley's best friend. She had no doubts about that. The two were as thick as thieves, supporting one another, on the same side. But it was more than that. Madison was right about... well... everything! Take Joey, for example: Aynsley could see that with Joey, Madison was way better. Her life had dramatically improved from the way it used to be. Before Joey, Madison was driven toward an independent life, making her own choices, living on her own terms. Now, everything had been flipped on its head. With Joey Granger as her boyfriend, suddenly Madison gained a community of women to support her, a trustworthy man to help her with hard decisions, and her best friend to share Joey with, two girlfriends to share the load of caring for their man!

But all of that was obvious. What Aynsley needed to do was to stop being so reactive. Yes, she understood the plain-as-can be things about her life, about Madison, but Aynsley needed to get ahead of the conversation. If Madison wanted to stay in state and study, then Madison was right! Aynsley obviously needed to change schools.

If Madison wanted to get an MBA, then Madison was right! Aynsley needed to start signing up for the right classes!

If Madison wanted to shape her life around Joey Granger's needs, then Madison was right! Aynsley needed to step up her game and get to know her new boyfriend better!

Her phone buzzed on the linen napkin beside her plate.

Madison: Donna just picked me up. On our way to you now

Aynsley lit up.

She glanced at the untouched half of her salmon, shoveled in two quick bites of potato, and stood up, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I forgot about a group project," she said, already turning for the hallway. "Gotta meet at Madison's place."

Her mom blinked. "Wait—what kind of project?"

"I'll be late," she said over her shoulder, already by the stairs, "don't wait up!"

"Aynsley!" her father called. "It's Family Dinner Night!"

But this wasn't the first time she'd blown off family dinner. They always got over it.

She grabbed her purse from the console by the door and slipped into her ankle boots. A little thrill zipped through her chest.

Just because she was starting to think long-term didn't mean she couldn't enjoy short-term fun.

The future could wait.

Tonight was about fun.

And the girls were almost there.