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Tristan snickers. “You did first by acting awkward about the text. She didn’t tell me about it. Only volunteered pieces of information because I had to know what I was getting into.”
“Whatever.”
SOMAThe door shuts after Jade, and I press my legs together. He’s not here yet, but my panties dampen at the thought of what we could do together. Maybe I’ll let him have this, since the last pair of underwear I gave him was on my birthday.But where is he?Minutes pass with no sign of Brynne or Jade. I check my phone.It’s time. My fingers drum against my thighs as one minute becomes two and two becomes five.What if he’s not coming?What if this is a prank?I rise to
SOMAFriday morning finds me fussing with my hair in front of the mirror. I set the brush down and smooth my palms down the fabric of my dress.The person staring back at me feels unfamiliar with her hair curled and pinned right. Her lips are tinted a soft shade of rose that reminds me of the bouquet downstairs. A white dress hugs her frame and flares in all the right places.“Wow,” a voice says behind me. I turn and see Jade lingering at the doorway, her hands clasped. “You look pretty, my lady.”My gaze returns to the mirror, and my smile falters.“Is it too much?&rd
SOMATristan snickers. “You did first by acting awkward about the text. She didn’t tell me about it. Only volunteered pieces of information because I had to know what I was getting into.”“Whatever.”“Are you two cool now? Has he apologized yet? Are we allowed to mention his name around you now?” he asks all at once without giving me a chance to reply.Laughter bubbles in my throat. I resume eating, taking a few bites before saying, “That’s what the text is about.” I hadn’t expected them to take the threat seriously, but I’m glad they care enough about me to listen to my demands,
SOMAThe next morning, I wake up in my bed. It’s almost a routine at this point, with me falling asleep anywhere and Brynne coming to the rescue by taking me to my room.As heat floods my body, another dark, traitorous thought settles in. How many girls has he done that with?Something tells me I’m the first. Plus, he never dates. So he might never have done this with anyone. I shake my head, trying to clear my head of silly, whimsical thoughts. I’m not that special for him to make these exceptions. Or maybe I am. I don’t know.The door creaks open, and Jade’s head pokes in. She steps in with a smile, waving the paper in
SOMAWe finish and return to the house. No one answers when I knock on Tristan’s door. Jade leaves for her dorm with a promise to get an answer by tomorrow, and I slump on the bed, sleep too far away from me.Hours pass with me tossing and turning. I get out of bed, sliding my feet into my slippers. On stepping into the hallway, I pause in front of Brynne’s door.Did he really send me that message? I leave without opening the door, settling onto the couch downstairs. It’s the same one I found him on the night we kissed for the second time.Does he remember it? Does he replay the kiss?
SOMAThe mid-semester exams are finally over. Brynne hasn’t apologized, and if he doesn’t do so tomorrow or Thursday, I’ll attend the ball with a random person. I don’t care who, but I’ll be at that ball.Though the exams are over, I’m in the annex, hoping he shows up since he’s avoided my room and the entire house. Jade sits a few chairs away from me, frowning at the book I’m making her read. There is a set of questions to be answered after reading. A quilt is spread out on her lap with the knitting needles poking out from the edge.A few times, she raises her head to ask questions from the book. I answer as best as I can and tell her to sort the rest he







