There’s only one person I trust to help me put this insane idea into perspective, and that’s Jules.
Until now, I’ve left out so many details about West and me when I talk to her. Although that discretion has been for good reason, I think it’s time I let her in. On everything. While I have no idea how to keep my distance from the one who’s declared himself my enemy, Jules is certain to talk some sense into me. She almost always has the right answer.
Hopefully, this will be one of those times.
@QweenPandora: It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, if that’s true, this one’s worthy of an entire novel! One of you dedicated lovelies managed to capture the hottest photo to date of Cypress Prep’s fav new arrival, entangled with none other than KingMidas.
Not sure how hot and heavy things got in the pool tonight, but I’m just putting it out there. These two look pretty close if you ask me. Dare I say … as close as two can possibly get?
Don’t quote me on it, because I’m not one to spread rumors, but it looks to me as if KingMidas is doing a little more than just taking a swim. What say you, peeps? Check out the pic and weigh in.
Later!
—P
Chapter 35
BLUE
The last thing I needed was for my sister to see pics of me and West plastered all over social media, but it is what it is. I can’t take anything back.
Thanks, Pandora.
Guess this is the price of living in Cypress Pointe. The cost of somehow being dragged into the fishbowl in which the north side’s elite dwell.
After a lengthy conversation with Scar about how West and I were not screwing in the pool tonight, I finally got around to doing homework. Now that that’s done, I’ve worked up the nerve to call Jules.
The line trills and she picks up on the second ring. That feeling of dread comes back almost instantly
“Dude,” she answers. “If this isn’t about you and West banging it out in the pool, I have nothing to say to you. What took you so long to call?”
I laugh a little. It’s nothing short of a miracle she didn’t call me first.
“We weren’t having sex,” I explain, sounding more and more like a politician, working to clear my name after a smear campaign.
“Well, it certainly looked that way to me,” is her sassy response. “And … it also looked that way to Ricky.”
For some reason, hearing that makes my stomach drop suddenly.
“He called you?” I ask as casually as I can.
“Well, it started with him sending a series of texts, but I called him when I got sick of typing,” she shares. “But … yeah. Shit like that’s just hard for him to see, you know?”
I do know this, which is another reason I hate that Pandora and her spies plaster things like this online for all to see. And with zero context at that. Not that context would’ve helped in this situation, but still.
“If it makes you feel any better, I covered for you despite being pretty sure the pic said it all,” she adds. “I told him it probably isn’t what it seems. Not sure he bought it, but I tried.”
A frustrated sigh leaves me, and it isn’t hard to imagine how upset Ricky must be right now.
“Thanks anyway. I’ll give him a call tomorrow,” I decide.
“Mmm … maybe give it some time,” Jules advises sweetly, likely to spare my feelings. “He’s still processing the idea of you actually being with someone else. In his head, I think you’re probably always gonna be his girl. It’ll just take some time to accept that you’re with West now.”
I’m quiet, because I’m not with West, which brings me to the reason I’ve called her tonight. Drawing both feet onto my bed, I get comfortable before diving headfirst into an uncomfortable conversation. Falling back, I slink beneath a blanket and stare at the twinkling lights I’ve strung haphazardly across my ceiling with pushpins.
“Jules, I need advice,” I admit, because it’s the simple truth. “But first … I need to tell you something I should’ve told you a long time ago.”
“I’m listening,” she says sweetly.
I force out a sharp breath and just go for it. “There is something going on between me and West, but it’s not nearly as clean cut as that.”
“Sounds juicy. Do continue,” she teases, which makes me smile a little.
“The truth is that West and I have been in this really weird space,” I start. “And it gets weirder and more intense by the day, but … I’m not really sure how to handle it.”
“Well, that’s an easy one to help with,” she chimes in. “You slingshot your panties at the guy and say to hell with all the rest of it. I mean, you have seen him, right?”
I’d forgotten how biased she is when it comes to the triplets, but that comment quickly reminds me.
“It’s not that simple, Jules.”
“Okay, okay. Then tell me why it’s complicated and I’ll do my best to help you figure things out,” she offers. “That’s what besties are for.”
I swear I love this girl. She never misses a beat.
“First, I need to put a disclaimer out there,” I begin. “You need to know that I withheld information from you, but only because I know you love me. I knew that, if I shared what I was dealing with, you’d feel compelled to advocate for me and things would get really messed up if that happened.”
I pause, letting her digest that first.
“I know how things work at schools like mine,” I explain. “The kind of pull and influence the parents of these kids have is off the charts, and I was—am—cautious about rocking the boat too much. Stepping on the wrong toes could mean putting a target on my back, and you know as well as anyone, I can’t
