Page 17 of Lucy and Her Wicked Three

Portia picks up her phone and presses play on Delaney's recent post. I only listened to the first few words before I closed the app and rushed over here.

"For those of you who are speculating, I'm here to address some concerns. Yes, I knew about the doctored photos, and I've apologized to Mateo Torres for my role in the photos being spread. But what Mateo does not understand, what most people don't get, is the pressure we're under in social media to produce content. Whoever is responsible, it was a stupid stunt to create publicity. But I wasn't the one who doctored the pictures. I just saw an opportunity and went with it. I shouldn't have pretended like they were real. I just want Lucy to know that. I love you Lucy-bear, you're my best friend. Peace and love friends."

Hearing her lie and say she loves me makes me cringe.

"So my theory is that she posted it to drum up drama between you two. Besties gone awry. I can't believe she thinks anyone would believe she's not the one responsible."

"But why throw herself under the bus and admit to lying? Or why lie about something so specific in the first place? She must have known Mateo would get angry or that the lie would backfire."

"I don't think Delaney's as smart as you think she is. I also think she has an unhealthy obsession with him, and maybe with you, too. In any case, she may have publicly apologized, but her followers have crept up in numbers, so it's actually helping her brand. People are sluts for drama. Which is why I think this whole thing was staged as a stunt for social media."

"What the hell?" I shake my head in disbelief.

"I know. Whatever, fuck her."

I'm relieved she posted the statement and confirmed what I believed, what Mateo insisted on, that they were never involved.

But it doesn't change how I feel, even knowing the truth. My anxiety's never been higher. My relationship is a mess.

"What are you gonna do, Lu? Are you and Mateo okay?"

"I honestly don't know." I chew on my lip, staring into space while she packages her smoothies, letting me overthink. "Mateo and I haven't been great for a while," I admit.

"Seriously? You guys seem perfect."

I shrug. "Sometimes we are. I love how he makes me feel. I love his attention. He's so smart and interesting and, in some ways, even more neurotic than me, which is kind of funny. But he's mysterious.Toomysterious. I'm glad he's not cheating, obviously, but it feels like there are other things he isn't telling me. Big things. I tried confronting him about it, and he sort of admitted something else was going on, but then he clammed up."

He clearly doesn't show his true self to me. But I don't really show mine either, do I?

Between the social media veneer and the way he sometimes makes me feel when we're having sex, I want more, but I'm too scared of what he'll think of me if I ask for it. God, I can barely admit it to myself. I want him to make it hurt. To turn my brain off. To consume me, overwhelm me. Ruin me.

"So, where did you guys leave it?"

"He's staying with friends. I didn't even know he had any. He's never mentioned them."

"You don't believe him?" Her eyes narrow.

I shrug, "It's not that. It's just another thing he kept from me."

She returns to her fruits and veggies, stacking the bags in the freezer. Offhandedly, she remarks, "Maybe you should follow him home from work, see what he's really getting up to."

I huff. I could never do that.

No. No way.

That's a crazy idea.

Chapter 7

Lucy

Jackhole6666 comments: I'd still bang her, but she'd need to put a ball gag in her mouth first

DestineeesCome comments: I feel so bad for Delaney, like, the expectations are just so high, and honestly I always thought @ZenInTheCity was kinda full of hrslf

ChimeraNailsIt comments: I have a theory, it was bunnies. Just kidding, Delaney totally murdered Lucy to try and steal her boyfriend, she's been missing for like a week. God why is this so good. Lemme get the popcorn.

AnneP02aughts comments: @WaywardDelaney is way more interesting anyway, at least she's speaking the truth about how hard her life is, @ZenInTheCity is just a whiny bitch

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