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It takes us longer than expected to reach my dorm, with a quick stop at a statue and Mary chasing after a rabbit—something I’ve never seen around here. When we finally stumble through the door, I freeze in my tracks.

Jason sits on the couch, his eyes narrowing as he takes us in. “What the hell?”

“Jay?”

“You’re drunk.” He stands, crossing his arms over his chest. “And with them.” He nods towards Gemma and Mary.

I straighten up, meeting his gaze head-on. “Yeah? They’re my friends.”

“Friends? Lil, you can’t be serious. After everything—”

“After what? After I found out that our families have some stupid feud? That doesn’t change anything.”

Jason scoffs. “It changes everything. You can’t trust them.”

“You don’t get to decide who I trust or who I’m friends with.”

Gemma and Mary step up beside me, their arms linked through mine.

“She’s right,” Gemma says. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Mary nods. “Damn straight.”

Jason looks between the three of us. “I don’t even recognize you right now. Getting drunk, acting like this…”

I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. “Acting like what? Like I have a mind of my own? Like I’m not just some puppet?”

Jason flinches, but I don’t back down. I’m done letting other people dictate my life.

“You can’t stop me from being friends with them. So you can either accept it or… or I don’t know what.”

“You should accept that you are going to be my—”

“Stop.” I snap. “Don’t you dare.” Don’t say that word. I don’t know why he still believes that it’s going to happen.

We stare at each other.

“Besides,” Gemma says, “we were with her the whole time. So, you don’t have to worry.”

“Fine. Do whatever you want.” He grabs his jacket and storms out, slamming the door behind him.

I let out a shaky breath. Gemma and Mary wrap their arms around me, holding me tight.

“You okay?” Gemma asks.

“Yeah. I… thank you. For being here.”

“Always,” Mary murmurs.

Is it really that bad that I want to decide things myself?

“Did I ever tell you guys about the time I accidentally set the microwave on fire in the dorm kitchen?” Mary asks.

“Oooh, I remember. That’s when you got kicked out and moved into mine,” Gemma says.

I chuckle. “What happened?”

“Let’s say popcorn and I have a complicated relationship,” Mary says.

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