Page 72 of Daydream

I was instantly suspicious until I saw Russ by the popcorn machine, and he reassured me that after the door slammed closed, Aurora threatened everyone with violence if they made Halle feel the slightest bit uncomfortable or embarrassed.

Halle went for breakfast the morning after we fooled around, and judging by the way Aurora instantly acted protectively toward Halle, I assume she knows. I don’t care, Halle can scream it from a rooftop if she wants to. I like the idea that she has girlfriends to talk to. She clearly has a lot going on in her head, and I almost gave myself an aneurysm trying to make sense of it.

I usually shut down when I’m overrun with issues, but Halle’s solution seems to be to tie herself in mental and verbal knots. I know she thinks she has to solve all her problems alone, but she doesn’t.

I don’t know why I’m bothered that she said we were still just friends when that’s something I’m used to. I know I sometimes mirror people, but I don’t want to start creating problems the way Halle does for herself.

Aurora gives me the same threat of violence when I groan that the first movie we are watching isLegally Blonde, so I know firsthand how terrifying she must have been earlier.

Halle and I settle into one of the floor-bed-couch contraptions covering the vast penthouse living room, and I find myself looking at the various artwork on the walls instead of the giant screen that’s been constructed to facilitate this extravagant sleepover.

“The interior designer needs to be fired,” I whisper to Halle, who is totally engrossed in the movie and her bag of candy.

“Mmm?” she mumbles.

“The artwork doesn’t make sense in this room,” I say.

“How do you feel when you look at it?” she asks, finally taking her eyes off the screen to look at me. Sporting her own set of pink pajamas, she’s braided her hair down each side of her face and taken off all of her makeup. She looks so pretty. And happy. That’s my favorite part.

“Inspired,” I answer.

“What? I thought you said you don’t like it,” she whispers after Mattie and Cami turn around from their floor bed in front of us to shush loudly.

“Doesn’t matter.” I kiss her forehead and her eyes widen, immediately looking around to check that nobody was looking at us. I wish she didn’t care so much about what people think.

When she’s fully focused on the movie, I dig my cell phone out of my pocket.

JAIDEN

I need advice.

So you came to the expert

Great choice

You’re my last resort.

I’m your only hope

Hit me. I’m ready to wow you with my wisdom

How do you know if you’re in the friend zone?

Is this about Halle?

Yes.

You’re not in the friend zone lmao

How do you know?

People in the friend zone don’t get caught making out in hotel rooms with the person who is supposed to be friend zoning them

How the hell do you know about that?

I’m all seeing and all knowing

But yeah, you’re good, brother. Firmly outside of the zone

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