“I’m not sure what you mean by digging. I’m still not real sure what you want from me.” I let the impatience into my tone, hoping they’ll get to their point, if they have one.
“If we find these people,” Fliss says, “we want an apology and acceptance with your group. Not just your roommates but your boyfriend’s group too.”
“We don’t even need an apology,” Daisy jumps in. When Syd lets out a little growl, Daisy rolls her eyes. “Well, I don’t. But we don’t want all of you against us and the sorority.”
“Not just that,” Sydney pushes. “We want to be friends with all of you. Or at least friendly enough. Maybe we aren’t fighting right now, but with the way my former best friends straight up ignore me or glare at me, it’s far from friendly.”
I’m still not sure why they’re asking this of me specifically. I’ve also got no clue what the point is, or how they plan on “digging” for this information.
“Look, without any recent activity from the accounts, it’s not a big problem for any of us.” This is only partly true. I know Beck and I would both sleep easier if we knew who they were, even if it turned out to be total strangers. It’d put it to rest, keep us from wondering. “But if you want to try to play detective and find some proof so we don’t keep thinking it’s Fliss, I’m not going to stop you.”
“And if we do?” Fliss asks.
I shrug. “I’ll be appreciative. We’ll all appreciate it. I can’t speak for everyone else though.”
Sydney’s jaw clenches when I don’t respond the way she’s hoping. “I can’t believe all three of my childhood friends are in relationships now,” she says, and I do take a little pity on her when I hear some genuine sadness. “So much has changed.”
Wait, all three? “Zora’s still single.”
Sydney smirks. “You don’t have to hide her new relationship from me. I already know about it. I’ve even seen them together.”
What is she talking about? I want to ask, but I also feel like I should know this. I’m not sure I want to let on that Syd is more aware of what’s happening with Zora than I am. “I’m not hiding anything from you,” I say instead, hoping she’ll tell me more. It works.
“Zora’s had her flings with girls. Said she was experimenting and having fun. Good for her finally coming out, you know? And Brie Charles? All of you are going for the older ones.”
“Well connected too, can’t forget that,” Daisy adds, but I’m only half listening. I feel like an idiot.
“I’ve got to go,” I mumble. Am I supposed to thank them for this chat? For offering to help me? I mean they made it pretty darn clear it’s not out of goodwill, it’s to keep from getting shunned by their own sorority. Fortunately, I’ve got my board under my arm, and it allows me a quick getaway. I’m skating away before I can overthink whether I said too much or too little, the right thing or the wrong thing. I don’t know how to talk to girls like that, who’ve clearly got some sort of strategy in mind. Hell, Syd probably purposefully dropped that bomb about Zora to fluster me or make me doubt my friendships. Well, it certainly worked.
As I skate up to our condo complex, I watch Taylor’s car pull up. Lucy and Ellie hop out a moment later with takeout bags in hand. “Hey girl! Eat with us by the pool before you head to Jay Beach? We got enough to share,” Ellie calls.
I stop in front of them, unable to ignore the sinking sensation in my chest. “Did you guys know Zora’s in a relationship?” I ask.
Lucy snaps her head back like I slapped her and Ellie chuckles, waving her free hand. “Zora’s never had a boyfriend in her life. Why do you think she does now?”
My eyes move to Lucy’s. They aren’t hiding this from me, are they? Why would they?
“I mean, now that I think about it, she’s been gone a lot more than usual. Did she tell you she’s with someone? Who’s the guy?”
Relief fills me like oxygen and I can breathe normally again. “Maybe she hasn’t been here as much, but she’s been at Jay Beach a lot. And Sydney just informed me why.”
“Sydney? Where’d you see her?” Ellie is instantly suspicious, and side-tracked.
“Don’t believe anything that girl says,” Lucy tells me. “She’s on Team Fliss now.”
“I don’t know, maybe she was messing with me, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.”
“What’d she tell you?”
“That Zora is with Brie.”
Both girls stare at me, processing this, probably trying to decide if Sydney’s up to something.
I hear a cough and remember Taylor was driving. He’s standing by the hood. “Uh, how would Sydney know that?”
Ellie spins and points an accusing finger at him. “Wait, did you know this? Brie’s your roommate.”
Taylor’s eyes dart to the side as he adjusts his ball cap. “Uh, yeah, I knew. Zora asked us not to say anything yet since it’s still new.”
And that sinking sensation is right back, moving relief to the side. I’m now remembering Beck making some comment last weekend about all his roommates except Griff being in relationships.
I’m upset but I don’t know who I’m upset with. Maybe myself. Maybe we’ve all been so caught up with our boyfriends it’s our own fault Zora hasn’t confided in us. Because this isn’t only her first relationship. Judging by the mixture of confusion and hurt on Lucy’s and Ellie’s faces, she hasn’t come out to them either.
Lucy echoes my own thoughts when she breaks the silence. “I can’t decide if I’m angrier at myself for spending so much time with Coby that I wasn’t around to talk to or didn’t notice, or if I’m more angry with Zora for keeping this from us.”
“Especially when Taylor already knows!” Ellie exclaims, clearly leaning toward anger at Zora.
“Beck knows too, pretty sure,” I add. I mean, I get it put him in a tough spot if Zora asked him not to tell, but still, it sucks. Sucks knowing he had a secret from me.
Lucy sighs and rubs the space between her brows. “Well, she’ll be here in a few minutes. I just texted we’ve got food and to meet us at the pool. Was about to text you when we saw you,” she tells me. “Coby is coming too.”
So much for getting right to my homework so I can head to Jay Beach. I was planning on catching a ride with Taylor, but he’s got a bottle of some dark liquid in one hand and a six pack in the other, so looks like he’s planning to crash here.
Beck is meeting with his agent tonight after work, and I don’t want to ask him to drive here afterward. I’ll figure it out. Without my own car I don’t always have the logistics hammered out. Usually Beck drives me back here Monday night and if he doesn’t have an early morning meeting Tuesday, he’ll spend the night. I’ve always figured out a ride to Jay Beach Thursday night, usually with Taylor though last weekend it was Zora. She said she was going to stay in one of the guest rooms and surf there all weekend since she’d be going to the Brazen party anyway.
Knowing I’m not the only one she’s been lying to soothes the burn a little bit.