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“Which one?” She asks.
“It’s just a group chat and we are making study plans. Relax!”
“I know you’re crushing on one of them A! You’ve got to tell me, even better I need to meet him. Actually, I need to meet all of them.”
“I’m not, we’ve already talked about all being friends. I wouldn’t want to come between their friendship or lose any of them. We’ve grown close in a really short amount of time.”
“Sure, sure, I’ll let it go. For now. So when can I meet them?”
“Well, actually they want to join us for Big House sometime or you could come study at the library with us tonight?”
“Oh, they like Big House! I like them already! Sorry, I can’t come tonight. I have a date!” She exclaims.
“You do?! And you’re letting me talk about studying! Who is it with?”
“His name is Ryan. He seems really sweet and I met him at the bar last week. We’ve been texting nonstop and he asked me to dinner!”
“That’s so exciting!”
Now that she mentions it, I take a minute to look her over. She’s dressed hot but classy with a black shirt and skirt that mold to her body without being trashy. Her hair is lightly curled and her makeup is perfect.
“No wonder you look so perfect! Girl, he is going to swoon when he sees you. Or pop a boner, either one!” I’m laughing by the end of that sentence.
She bursts out laughing too, “okay I needed that but you’re gross. I’m heading out now. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No have fun! I’m leaving in a minute for the library anyways.”
She gives me a hug and heads out. I watch her go and see he picked her up for dinner. Major points to him for that.
I head to the library and find a table. I text the guys to let them know where to find me and start pulling out my math notes.
“Hey Aly,” uh oh that’s my least favorite bitchy tone.
I look up and see Kate starting at me from across the table. I give a small smile but try to ignore her. I haven’t found something that keeps her away from me but maybe ignoring her will.
“You don’t need a table this big for just yourself, do you? Maybe leave the big tables for people who actually have friends.”
Is this girl for real?
“I have some friends coming Kate but thanks.”
“Oh is it those boys you’re hanging around with? You know they’re just spending time with you out of pity right? They would never be interested in you. Maybe you should introduce me to them so they can spend time with someone more their speed?”
I want to play it off, roll my eyes and ignore her. I really do. But something about the way she’s talking about my guys sets my instincts off.
I want to fight her, pull her hair, break her nose and assert my dominance. But I don’t, because that would be crazy. Except, I’m about to hop up to do just that when a hand lands on my shoulder.
“Hey Aly Kat!” Jay drops a kiss to my head and slides in next to me, pointedly ignoring Kate?
The rest of the guys do the same, being more touchy than they have since game night. And it settles something in me. I calm down enough to look up and see Kate seething. Probably trying to understand why they’re ignoring her.
But why are they? Even if it’s for my sake they weren’t here when she was being bitchy so they couldn’t have heard what she said.
Of course Kate singles out Jeremy, noticing he’s the only one who didn’t greet me when they showed up. She probably thinks he’s a weak link to infiltrate their group through.
“Hi, Aly is being so rude not introducing us, I’m Kate,” she sticks her hand out.
I’m rude? Seriously? I tense a little, maybe Jeremy is only a dick to me and he’ll actually give Kate the time of day. That would hurt more than I expected. Nic lays a reassuring hand on my leg which has me melting a little.
