Page 4 of Unhinged

"Who's sensible?" Blake asks as she approaches, looking like a goddess that just emerged from the sea.

"You," Kali says, her nose wrinkling. "We wanted to go out drinking tonight, but Alice says we must stay in the resort."

"Agreed," Blake says, smirking at me. "It's far too dangerous to go gallivanting here at night."

Kali and Luna make exaggerated sighing noises, flopping back on their sunbeds.

"I thought we were here to have fun," Kali says.

"We can have fun in the hotel," I suggest. "There's a pool, a bar, a restaurant, and we have each other for company."

Blake grins. "Exactly, isn't that why we're here? To enjoy each other's company before senior year turns us into workaholics."

Luna groans. "Don't remind me. This year is going to be fucking hard."

Despite Luna's carefree attitude and being practically the opposite of a typical nerd in appearance, she majors in computer science. She's a literal genius. It boggles my mind the way she can read and write code. It's like a different language, and she's amazing at it, putting all the nerds to shame as she's one of the top in her class.

Blake is studying psychology, while Kali is studying architecture and has already secured an internship at one of the top architect firms in Boston, Perkins.

On the other hand, I took creative writing because I love it, much to my adoptive parents' disgust. They think I should major in a more academic subject because they can't see what I could get from creative writing. However, I've already secured an internship at Boston's biggest publishing house, Pendulum Press, as a junior editor once I graduate.

I was adopted by them when I was six years old after my mom, my dad, and my sister were killed in a car accident. A truck swerved on the highway after they broke down and hit their car, killing them instantly. The guilt I’ve felt over it has lived with me since they were on the way to pick me up from school. Jenna, my sister, was only two years old. My memories of all of them are so hazy.

"It's going to be fun. Although I can't believe we don't know where we'll all be in a year,” I say, trying to push the thought of my dead family from my mind.

Luna clears her throat. "You and Kali do! At least you two will still be roomies." She sighs heavily. "If I don't find an internship at a software company in Boston, I might have to move away from you guys." She pouts.

"You'll find a job in Boston with no problem," I say, shaking my head.

Unfortunately, it appears software companies are prejudiced as fuck. They see Luna, and they don't believe her credentials. After all, she's five foot seven, with dark hair, beautiful eyes, and gorgeous features because of her mixed heritage. Her mom is Japanese, and her dad is Italian. She looks like a model and gets judged for it, which is ridiculous.

I often feel like I don't fit in with my three friends. They're all so gorgeous. Blake is your typical girl next door with blonde hair, stunning blue eyes, and legs for miles because she's so tall. She's not far off six feet tall. Kali is stunning, too. She has a mixed heritage like Luna. Her mom is Filipino born and bred and her dad is Mexican, but born in Texas.

And then there's me. Boring American girl. Slightly overweight with chestnut brown hair and blue eyes.

"I might have to wear a geek disguise to secure a job. It's like they've never heard of a remotely attractive woman being able to code." She runs a hand through her hair. "They're all fucking assholes. Especially considering I’m better than all of them. And I can hack the shit out of all of their systems.”

I must admit she's gone for about ten internships that she's more than qualified for, all of which have turned her down. In high school, she used to hack for money until her parents found out and kicked her out just weeks before she started college. She used the money she saved for her school fees and hasn’t spoken to them since. When she enrolled at Brown, she gave up the hacking and now works at the same pizza place as me.

"What about freelance?" Blake suggests sitting on her sun bed and tapping her foot rhythmically on the sand. "There's a high demand for freelance software developers. You might as well make your way if they're being jerks."

Luna contemplates that before nodding. "Maybe. Anything to move to Boston with you guys. Freelance just opens up temptation, though.”

The temptation to hack. I know she’d rather have a steady income from a legitimate company.

"What about you, Blake?" I ask, wondering if she's decided what to do.

Her dad has a very high position as a senior surgeon at a hospital in Atlanta, and he's secured her a position as a psychiatrist. However, she's been on the fence about taking it. Her parents have been all about achievements all her life, but they favor her brother, who's taken after his dad and become a heart surgeon. And they often tell her she wouldn't have been able to get where she is without them.

"I'm still trying to work out what to do about the position in Atlanta." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "I know they'll hold it over me if I take it. And then I'd have to be in Atlanta rather than Boston with you guys." She sighs. "It's a great position, though."

Blake looks conflicted, and I sympathize with her dilemma. "I don't know what to do," she says, finally looking up at us. "I don't want to disappoint my parents, but I also want to make my way in life."

Luna reaches over and squeezes her hand. "We'll support you no matter what you decide. Don't let anyone else's expectations dictate your decision."

Blake smiles. "Thanks, I needed to hear that."

"Do you know what?" Kali asks, standing.

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