Page 31 of Golden Rule

My inbox has been flooded with pics of the #QueensOfCypressPointe all dolled up tonight. Looks like the girls met for an early dinner at a swanky, downtown lounge. However, I couldn’t help but notice that something seemed to be missing.

Or should I say… someone.

While #NewGirl, #LostAngel, #BrokenBeauty, #VirginVixen, Jules, and Scar were out living it up without the boys in tow, #TheSubstitute was nowhere to be found.

Did the newcomer’s invite get lost in the mail? Or was this an intentional snub?

I’m placing my bet on the latter.

Ouch, #MrSilver.

How does it feel to know your family will ALWAYS prefer your ex over your next?

Side note: Jules and Scar are long overdue for a proper renaming, don’t you think?

So, I hereby dub Jules, Cypress Pointe’s serial dating, job hopping wildcard, #WanderLost. I mean, let’s be honest. I think she’s just as confused as the rest of us about where her life is headed. Unless, of course, she’s intentionally aiming for the ‘broke best friend’ look?

In that case, you’re killing it, girl!

And Scarlett, don’t feel left out.

You’re next.

Later, peeps :)

—P

Chapter Nine

Blue

Abeautiful sunset.

A shaded street with perfectly manicured lawns, and homes situated on their own multi-acre lots.

Even surrounded by such undeniable beauty, I’ve felt nothing but dread this entire drive. None of us are looking forward to being thrust right into the middle of whatever drama the Empress Circle is sure to drum up, which accounts formostof the silence inside Joss’s car. But the other factor adding to the tension?

Tiffany.

Or, more specifically, the fact that she’s in the mother of all bad moods right now.

A short, mumbledheywhen she first got into the car is all she’s had to say. But as I opened my phone, preparing to indulge in a little doom scrolling to fill the silence, I came across Pandora’s post, making it clear why Tiffany’s being so standoffish.

My heart sinks just thinking about how she probably feels. Honestly, I hate this—the tiny fractures in our circle. It was once so airtight that no one could’ve ever convinced me things would change. Only, theyhavechanged.

A lot.

And it fucking sucks.

Jules: WTF? #WanderLost? Who the hell does this bitch think she is?

My chest feels tight when I sigh. I knew this was coming, Jules’s reaction to Pandora’s bullshit moniker. The worst part is that these things are never a one-off. Once she brands you, you’re branded for life. Hell, I’ve been #NewGirl since I was eighteen, and here I am in my mid-twenties, still known as fucking #NewGirl. And don’t even get me started on Joss. Dane made sure the “virgin” in her #VirginVixen moniker was null and voidseveralyears ago. Yet, it stuck.

My point is, Jules will have to find peace with this. Because no matter what path she takes from here, to Pandora’s minions, she will always be #WanderLost.

Blue: I’m so sorry, Jules. Seems none of us are off limits this time.

Dez: I swear, I saw red when I read that BS.

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