Lucy’s already making her way over there, Coby right behind her. Since none of us want to stand by, and we’re all very curious to hear what Sydney has to say, we follow her.
I glance around, looking for Griff. He’s skateboarding with Moses, Taylor, and Brie, the others who live at the Jay Beach house. Lennon, who was also on Shred Live and has something going on with Moses, is with them too. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the fact this place has its own private skatepark in the back yard. None of them are paying much attention to what’s happening on the back deck, and Griff hasn’t noticed his stalker has arrived.
Fliss, on the other hand, isn’t really paying attention to the group of us approaching her. Nope, her eyes are glued on Griff skating. You’d think a real stalker would try to be less obvious, but I guess I have no idea. It’s probably been a while since she’s seen him in person. A shudder ripples through me. Maybe not, if she’s still in the habit of spying on him.
Lucy’s already greeted Sydney, apparently with nothing too hostile, because Syd is wishing her a happy birthday and giving her a hug. “I hope you don’t mind I brought a friend with me. This is Fliss.”
Fliss breaks her Griffin Perry trance to turn to us with a big smile. “Hey Lucy! Happy birthday.”
Lucy doesn’t acknowledge Fliss.
“Uh, Syd. Fliss was Ellie’s roommate last year. You know we already know her.”
“But I thought Ellie’s roommate’s name was Felicity.” Sydney does the most dramatic fake-surprised look I’ve ever seen. It’s as if she wants us to know she’s playing us. “Ohhh!” She turns to Fliss. “I totally forgot Fliss is a nickname for Felicity.” She then proceeds to smack her forehead with her palm. “Even better then, you all already know each other. I guess when I mentioned we were going to an old high school friend’s birthday party, I didn’t mention anyone’s names. What a coincidence!”
“Yes, what a coincidence,” Ellie mutters beside me.
Zora crosses her arms. “And you remember what else we told you about Ellie’s roommate, don’t you?”
Before Sydney can do her fake “ohhhh!” routine again, Fliss beats her to it with a high-pitched laugh. “Did Jordan tell you her little theory that I have some Instagram account about being the future Mrs. Griffin Perry? So silly. Of course I have a crush on Griff, especially after we hung out in London and everything this summer, but who wouldn’t, right?” She laughs again, but no one joins her.
Sydney puts a hand on her hip. “Guys, you know that’s a stupid theory, right? I follow Fliss on social media and it’s not that razzleydazzles account you were talking about. That handle could be any of his millions of followers.”
I’ll admit, a small part of me, and I’m sure part of everyone here, wonders if that’s true. Without any real proof, there will always be doubt. Whether she’s the one who took photos of me going to Griff and Beck’s apartment last year and threatened me or not, the girl’s behavior when it comes to Griff is definitely odd.
Beck must agree because he tells her, “Hey, I’m sorry you drove all the way here, but this is my house, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Syd crosses her arms. “Lucy invited me. If Fliss has to leave, I’m leaving too.”
“I know, I’m talking about both of you. This is my girlfriend’s birthday party too. I don’t really want guests who make nearly everyone else here feel uncomfortable. Like I said, I’m sorry.” I lean closer to Beck. He’s not one of those guys who can act like an asshole and not think twice about it. I’ve seen plenty of guys like that, and if they think they’re in the right, being a jerk comes easily. In this case, Beck is in the right. He’s not only sticking up for me, but for Griff too. All of us really. None of us want this kind of drama and if he can kick these girls out of our lives, excellent. But despite all that, Beck doesn’t like being mean or embarrassing people, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Only, neither Syd nor Fliss seems particularly embarrassed. They were expecting this. Now they’ve switched to begging mode. Syd gives Lucy this pitiful pleading look. “Guys, we’ve been best friends for years. Are you really going to let him kick me out?”
Fliss is already talking before anyone can respond. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here because Sydney is my sorority sister.” I’m confused, because Syd didn’t even go to college here last year. “We had an instant connection when we met at the country club this summer, and then I discovered she was in a different chapter of the same sorority as me in New York. When she transferred, I helped her get accepted with our chapter.” Fliss is getting choked up, for whatever reason, as she talks, but my code red alarm is only getting louder. “I even got her into the house so she can be my roommate. And I was going to have my own room! I’ve taken her under my wing, and I wanted to support her tonight when she came to see you all.” Oh boy, now Fliss is straight up crying. “I just can’t believe you’re treating her like this. If I’d known I’d only make things worse, if I’d known you all believed Jordan’s conspiracy theory about some Instagram thing, I wouldn’t have come.”
Syd puts an arm around her. “It’s okay Fliss, I should have realized beforehand they’ve all been brainwashed.” Syd’s eyes shoot to me. “Are you going to say anything? Or are you going to let them treat me this way?” Suddenly, I’m the one who kind of feels like crying. Mostly out of sheer confusion.
I open my mouth to respond, not entirely sure the best way to handle it. But Griffin’s voice booms, silencing me. “What’s going on? How did she get in here?” He’s moving fast toward us from the skatepark, pulling a shirt over his sweat-soaked skin, probably to protect the view from his stalker.
Fliss starts talking rapidly, repeating a version of the little tear-filled speech she gave us. She’s here to support her newfound sorority sister who wants to reconcile with old friends. She had no idea who the friends were or that it was Beckett Steele’s house.
“Hey, I’m sorry for the miscommunication. But this is a private birthday party and you’re going to have to leave,” Griff reiterates.
“But I was invited,” Sydney repeats stubbornly. She might as well stomp her foot for good measure. “Lucy invited me.”
“I wasn’t talking to you, but you can leave too. Sorry, Lucy,” Griff says in a different tone. “I know it’s your birthday party, but I’m gonna have to kick out your friend here.” Wow, even Mister Charming is playing hardass with these two.
“It’s fine, it’s your house. And I’m sorry Syd, I don’t really understand what’s going on with you, but I take back my invite.”
I’m sort of stunned, even though I shouldn’t be at this point, that Syd and Fliss seem determined to hold their ground. Why in the world would they want to stay at this party at this point? But Lance and Trip are already basically pushing them out the door. When Syd passes a table with a few wrapped presents on it, she grabs the sparkly gift bag she walked in with a moment earlier. “Guess I’ll be keeping this for myself.” She tilts her chin up, grabs Fliss’s hand, and half drags her new bestie away. Lance and Trip follow them through the house, probably making sure they go straight to their car.