Page 66 of It's in the Contract
People pull out their phones and start filming, and a jolt of fear goes through me.
“This was a bad idea,” I say.
“No,” Emma says, meeting my eyes.
Taylor seems calmer now, and he lowers his hands. Suzy pauses from where she’s already making her way to the gangway and looks back. Her mermaid-style lavender dress sparkles in the disco lighting.
“You’re right, Callie,” Emma says, passion in her voice. “Cliques are stupid, and we’re not leaving just because some bullies made fun of us. We’ll leave on our own terms.”
“Ohhhh,” Tina holds her stomach and doubles over, her skinny white legs shining in the moonlight. “I don’t feel good.”
Emma’s eyes go enormous. “Where’s the bathroom? Where?”
“We’ll find it.” I scan the boat, trying to remember the layout. “That way, I think?”
I follow Tina and Emma around the bar and down the stairs that lead into the interior of the yacht. We hurry down a hallwayfilled with abstract art and tiny round windows that look out into the water, Suzy’s heels clicking close behind us.
“Here it is.” I sigh in relief while Tina dashes inside the bathroom, holding her stomach.
We’ve come to an open area filled with expensive looking gray and tan couch sets and polished coffee tables. A couple make out on one of the couches and don’t even pause when we enter. Another group of girls hold plates of food and chat in the corner. The music is muted down here, and I can finally think.
Emma sighs and leans against the wall. I plop down on a couch, feeling exhausted. Suzy stands beside Emma, tapping on her phone. Tina’s groans can be heard from inside the bathroom.
“She has IBS,” Emma says. “I should’ve stopped her from eating so much rich food.”
“And drinking so much of that sugar bomb punch,” Suzy adds without looking up.
We hear Tina’s moans through the door, and I wince.
“It’s not your fault,” I say, crossing my legs and smoothing my dress. I stare at Emma for a beat. “You really look out for them, don’t you?”
Emma looks back at me with sharp green eyes. “If I don’t, no one else will.”
Suzy lifts her phone. “Selfie?”
“By the bathroom?” I ask.
Suzy smiles. “It’s still a bathroom on a yacht.”
I stand and Suzy holds up the phone. I reach out my arm, gesturing for Emma to join us in the pic. Suzy snaps the photo, and my smile is genuine.
Shannon Moore saunters down the hallway in purple heels, her red hair pulled into a high bun. “Is this the only bathroom?”
“Umm . . . I’m not sure. You could ask Brielle?” I say.
“This one’s being used.” Emma crosses her arms over her chest.
Shannon knocks on the door. “You done in there?”
“One minute.” Tina’s voice is small. I’m about to say something when she comes out of the bathroom.
“Feel any better?” Emma asks.
Shannon pushes past her, making a face. “Ugh,” she gags. “It smells horrible.” She closes the door, and Tina lowers her eyes.
“Don’t listen to her,” Emma says. “It’s not your fault.”
Tina holds her stomach. “I think I should stay here. Plus, I don’t think I flushed the toilet right . . .”
