Page 108 of Faking It

“Because of ANON,” she replies. “Micah had the connections, I had the concept, so we collaborated and made it successful. The more our followers grew, the more businesses hired us to post their Ads. That’s how we made our money.”

“So, you lied to me about having all those clients. About your schedule being jampacked.”

“I didn’t want you thinking that I’m a failure, especially after I flunked those acting classes,” she explains.

“The fact that you’d assume that means you don’t know me well enough.”

Her knuckles rap on the door. “Please, Ana. Understand where I’m coming from. I was only trying to get—”

“The only thing I understand is that you’re a despicable liar.” A thought comes to mind, and I raise my head, glaring at the door. “Did you sabotage me from getting any gigs since you were making all that money?”

“Are you crazy?” she replies with a high pitch. “I would never fuck with your career like that—”

“Tori, you made that nasty post about me being a two-timing slut. I almost lost that job over it. People roasted me online.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh’,” I bite back. “Don’t pretend you had my best interests at heart when you almost ruined me.”

“I got jealous, okay? You got that huge role, made new friends, got invited to places where I couldn’t go… it felt like you didn’t need me anymore. When a fan DM’ed the video, I didn’t think. I just posted it, but I took it down when I came to my senses.”

“By then, it was too late. Re-posting is an actual thing, Tori.”

“Yes, I know, and I’m truly sorry.” She bangs gently on the door. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but please, don’t throw our friendship away. I’m begging you.”

Scrubbing my face, I breathe a harsh sigh. I’m hurt. Seriously devastated. Tori was like a sister to me. She had my back—or I thought she did. How can I get past this betrayal? Could I ever forgive her?

“I’m not trying to cancel what I did, but Ana, Micah took that photo of you and Gideon at that party. The one that went viral. I posted the caption that got you that role. Would I have done that if wanted to ruin you? No. I just had a moment of weakness.”

Rising from the floor, I open the door to meet her tear-stained face. “Don’t throw our friendship away,” she repeats in a whisper. “I’m going to make it up to you.”

“I’m not the only one you should make it up to. Why did you keep going after Gideon like that? The posts you made of him were brutal.”

“It wasn’t personal. He was a viral sensation, so I capitalized on it.” She sweeps her hand around the space. “That’s how I afforded all this.”

“By ruining someone’s life?”

“Be honest, Ana. Gideon ruined his own life. I posted facts, no lies. Now, what did I do when he turned his life around? I posted that, too.” She steps toward me. I raise my brows at her, and she steps back. “You can’t stand me right now, I know that, but there’s one thing you can’t deny. I’ve always been balanced with what I post.”

“But do you understand how those negative posts affected his state of mind? How he sunk further into depression because you painted him as a monster? Do you even care?”

“Honestly, I didn’t care then. I didn’t think of how my posts affected him, or anyone. All I wanted was to pay my bills and keep myself afloat.”

I push past her.

“Ana—”

“I’m going for a drink of water, then I’ll be getting an Airbnb until my new place gets sorted,” I announce, then I stop in the middle of the hallway and turn to face her. “Except for that conniving stunt you pulled, you’ve been a good friend. You’ve been there when I was at my lowest, helping me back on my feet.”

“And I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don’t want to lose you, Ana. You’re my only friend. The only one who makes me feel wanted—”

“Let me finish,” I interrupt. “Because of that, I won’t throw our friendship away, but I need some time to get over what you’ve done.”

She nods, wiping her tear-stained face. “I understand. Take all the time you need.”

“I also need some water.” I point to the kitchen. “So, excuse me.”

Tori steps aside at once, and I sense her watching me as I make my way across the living room and into the kitchen space. I pour a cup of water, and as I turn around, our eyes meet, and I see the hopefulness there.

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