Leila
Fridays are good for one thing.
Well, two. But the first is definitely my girls. I barely see them during the week, between classes and meetings with my agent, it doesn’t leave much room for anything except a bath and heading into bed early.
The second thing?
Well…
Gabi flops onto the bed, pressing her hands under her chin, her blue eyes shining up at me. “Wanna go to a party?”
That’s the second thing.
I’ve never been one to turn down a party, contrary to Madeline, who drops her head back and groans.
“When?” I ask, trying not to laugh at Madi shooting me a glare.
“Tomorrow. Grayson’s house.”
Madi shakes her head. “I need to study.”
Gabriella turns her body, facing Madi, who’s sitting on Rosie’s pink couch. “You’ve been studying all week,” she says. “It’s a Saturday. Loosen up, woman.”
She narrows her eyes at Gabi. “I have an assignment.”
Gabi kicks her feet over the edge, sitting on the edge of the bed. I glance over at Rosie, who’s smiling already. We all know how this is going to end. Gabi begs, Madi gives in, Gabi wins.
“It’s one night,” Gabi says to her friend. “I promise we’ll leave early.”
Madeline laughs. “We both know that’s bullshit. If you stay late, I’ll have to as well.” Madi and Gabi moved into an off-campus apartment for their sophomore year. And knowing Gabi, she’ll either make a huge noise and wake Madeline up anyway, or end up passed out at the party.
“I promise this time,” Gabi says with determination. “We’ll leave at two.”
“Twelve.” Madi rebuts.
“One?” Gabi compromises. Madi stares at her, mulling it over until Gabi groans. “C’mon.”
“Fine,” Madi says with an eye roll, giving in just like we all knew she would. We can’t say no to Gabi; she’s our weakness.
“Fuck yes.” Gabi turns her head. “Who else is in?” She eyes Rosie.
“The party is at Grayson’s house,” she says with a shrug. “So, I’m already going to be there.”
“Are you sure you can spend one night without your boyfriend?” Gabi teases her.
“She’s in love,” Madi replies. “Leave her alone, you bully.”
“Hey.” Gabi’s head snaps to Madi. “That’s how I show my love.”
“I know I haven’t been around as much,” Rosie replies. “I’m sorry about that. It’s just…” She smiles, lifting a shoulder apologetically. “I spent so long seeing people in love and wanting that for myself, and now that I have Grayson, I never want to leave him.”
I smile at my best friend. I know exactly what she means, wanting to be around that person all the time. I thought I was in love once, gave so much of myself to that person, just for it to end up being a lie.
Gabi eyes me warily, probably knowing what I’m thinking about. “You’re in, right?” she asks. “You’re coming?”
“Of course.” I shoot her a smile, trying to forget all about what went down in high school. “I’m there.”
She grins. “I knew I liked you.”
“Speaking of…” My eyes search for Gabi and Madi’s, both of them looking my way. “Can I stay over again?”
“Of course,” Madi says. “You’re a better roommate than this one, anyway.” She gestures with her head to Gabi.
“Take that back.” Gabi narrows her eyes at Madeline, who’s smirking. She shakes her head, laughing at Gabi’s expression.
“Actually,” Rosie says. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”
“About what?”
“Well, I know you can’t change roommates, but would you like to move in here?”
I blink. Move in here? “You’re serious?” She nods, a smile tugging at her lips. Shit. That would be amazing, but… “Where would you go?”
She shrugs, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. “I was thinking of moving in with Grayson.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
“Whipped,” Gabi sings.
She shakes her head, a smile on her lips. “Yeah,” she says. “I practically sleep there all the time anyway, and he’s asked me once or twice.”
My eyes widen. “And you said yes?”
“Not yet. But if you want this place, then it’s yours.”
I smile at my best friend since high school. “I would love to, but I don’t think I can afford this place.” I know I can’t afford it. This apartment is 1000 square feet of wealth. The couch Madi is sitting on probably costs more than everything I own. There’s no way I could ever pay for this place.
Rosie shrugs. “My mother pays for it,” she says. “She’ll never know.”
I eye the girls, and their expressions say everything. Do it, they scream with their eyes. I glance at my best friend once more, mulling it over, knowing everything in me wants to say hell yes. “You’re sure?”
She nods. “I’m very sure. It’s a win-win, Leila, just say yes.”
I blow out a heavy breath, unable to contain the grin on my face. “I don’t have to put up with Tiffany anymore?”
“Thank fuck,” Gabi mutters. “She was a disaster. I knew it from the moment I saw her.”
“You can’t judge someone by how they look,” Madi says. “She could have been a really nice girl.”
Gabi shrugs. “But she wasn’t,” she says. “She said the only reason I was bi was because I’m a whore.” Damn. I didn’t know that. “She looks evil and is evil.”
Tiffany was one of the worst people I’ve ever had the displeasure of being around. She was judgmental and had no regard for my personal space. And now, hearing that she offended my friend? I owe Rosie big time for finally being done with her.
“And you didn’t slap her?” Madi asks, her brows lifting.
Gabriella flicks her brown hair behind her shoulders, letting out a sigh. “It’s not worth it. People are just going to say what they want no matter what I do.” She glances at Rosie, a smile on her lips. “You’re moving in with Grayson.”
We all note how Gabi seems to want to change the subject, so Rosie smiles, a blush peeking on her pale skin. “Yeah,” she breathes out. “I am.”
I nudge her. “How do you feel about that?”
She blows out a breath, a huge grin on her face. “Good,” she says. “I can’t wait.”
Her phone rings beside her, and by the smile on her face, I can already guess who it is.
“Is that lover boy?” Gabi asks.
Rosie lifts her eyes, a laugh escaping her. “Don’t call him that,” she says, scrunching her nose. “But yes.” She drops her eyes again, texting away. “Do you guys want to come over later?” Rosie says, lifting her head to look at us.
“To Grayson’s?” Madi asks.
She nods. “We can watch a movie or something, to celebrate.”
“Well, since someone’s dragging me to a party tomorrow, I only have today to study,” Madi says apologetically. “I won’t make it. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” Rosie says, eyeing Gabi. “What about you?”
She shakes her head. “Dance practice,” she says.
Rosie frowns, looking at me.
A laugh escapes me. “Sure, I’ll be there. I just have to get my stuff from my dorm before I do.”
Gabi lets out a snort. “Good luck dealing with her.”
I don’t need luck. I need resilience.
