Page 56 of Nobody in Particular

Well, there’s my answer to whether he believes me. I frown to myself as he falls quiet, composing an email to me. What does he mean,online discussion? How on earth do people online have any opinion on Danni and me? And if true, how was I not aware of it? I pull out my laptop and hurry to check my emails, where I find an encrypted message from William.

The first few screenshots attached appear to be from the comment section beneath Molly’s piano post. A few are simply people noting that they recognize my voice, and expressing it’s sweet to see Danni and I are still friends. One person takes it further than that, and writes:

What’s up with the lover’s tone at the end there?

And someone else—a friend of theirs, perhaps—replies:

First the rugby game, now this.

The final screenshot is of a post within a forum devoted to European royal families, uncreatively titledPrincess Rosemary and Danni Blythe???

Hear me out,it says.I have a conspiracy theory. This year, Rosemary and Molly suddenly start being seen with their new friend, Danni Blythe, who appears in some of Molly’s stories. Then, we see the three of themtogether in Molly’s livestream back in September, where she accidentally films Danni falling down on camera, and Rosemary catching her.

A small clip of the incident follows for illustration. As though it’s irrefutable evidence of romance if one catches somebody when they slip? I barely even knew Danni then, for goodness’ sake.

Then, later in the game, notice the way Rosemary watches Danni? Look at her expression. I know I don’t watch my friends like that.

What follows is a slowed-down clip of me turning sideways and looking at Danni, who’s watching the game. We’re at the bottom of the frame, incidentally caught on camera as Molly filmed the game. For the life of me, I can’t remember looking at Danni, or why. And, sure, at this speed, it looks intense, and pensive, and perhaps evenachingif you want to go that far. But I wasnotaching. And at full speed, how long did I even look at her for? Three seconds? I was probably thinking about how bored I was.

Then later in the livestream, we see Rosemary and Danni returning from somewhere, wearing each other’s CLOTHES!? Then, Molly and Rosemary mysteriously have a falling out, though neither of them ever comment on what, exactly, went down between them. But don’t you think it’s interesting timing? That it happened right after Rosemary saved Danni’s life?

Perhaps it would have been interesting timing, had that been the timeline at all, but go on.

Next, we get these photos from the queen’s birthday of Rosemary, Eleanor, and Danni—and look where Rosemary’s hand is! Why is she touching Danni, but not Eleanor? She’s known Eleanor for much longer. And again, Molly is notably absent.

It’s—oh, come on, it’s on the small of Danni’s back. And yes, fine, I did actually have a crush on Danni by that point, but what does this prove?

And now for the kicker, we have this video of Danni playing piano, uploaded by Molly, butfilmed by Rose. And listen to the tone of Rose’s voice as she speaks. If that’s platonic, I’m next in line to be queen.

My theory is: Rose and Danni are seeing each other, and Molly is taking it badly. Possibly because she’s jealous of their closeness, or perhaps she had a crush on Rose. That’s why she’s suddenly not ever seen around Rose! It does beg the question, though: Why is she still friends with Danni? Is she being the bigger person? Or is it a case of keeping your enemies close? What do you all think?

Luckily, the post has barely any engagement. Still, rage bubbles up within me as I read the last paragraph. Secret feelings between me and Molly? It’s the biggest rot I’ve ever read. And why hasn’t Oscar’s death been brought up as a potential reason for Molly’s change in behavior? It seems, if one goes by Occam’s razor, to be a much more reasonable explanation than the arrival of Danni Blythe, no?

“This is ludicrous,” I say with conviction. “Honestly, what have you called me up about? Someone who’s obsessed with my family read into me looking at a friend of mine, and this constitutes a crisis?”

“Not a crisis, no. Just something to keep in mind. If, perhaps, you’re being less discreet than you thought…”

But I’m hardly listening at this point, because I’m so relieved. This is all utterly baseless. Yes, this person, along with those who made the teasing comments on Molly’s video, has stumbled across the truth, but that’s exactly what it is. A stumble. Half of their “evidence” involves clips and photos from well before there was anything to speak of between Danni and me. We haven’t slipped up.

“It seems to me that the anonymous tipper and this poster are likely one and the same,” I say. “They were probably lying about being a Bramppath student.”

“Perhaps,” William says, but his tone is doubtful enough to make me uneasy.

“Is there anything else I should know?” I ask.

“No. I’ve told you everything I know.”

But if what he knows is so limited, why take it seriously enough to call me in the first place? What isn’t he telling me?

After hanging up, I make a beeline for Danni’s room. To my dismay, I find her door propped open by a shoe, which means she’s in the shower. It’s what we all do. Our key cards are susceptible to water damage, and the tiny shower cubicles here have a nasty habit of soaking everything we bring in with us, including things placed on the tiny bench provided for storage. We even have to throw our towels and clothes over the door to keep them dry.

Luckily, there’s only one shower in use on this level, so once I close the bathroom door behind me, I’m quite confident in calling out Danni’s name.

“Rose?” she asks. “Hold on. One second.” A moment later, she opens the cubicle door a crack, poking her head through. She has a towel wrapped tightly around her, and her dark blond hair, darker still from the water, is soaked and plastered to her forehead and neck, greasy and slick with shampoo or conditioner. She smells of cocoa butter.

“I just got a call from William at the palace,” I tell her in a low voice. “Someone told him we’re involved.”

She swings the door open. “What do you mean?” she asks.

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