Page 44 of Tell Me When It's Over

even gossiped about my home life with the one person I made friends with at Saint Michael’s. Nora, the girl I’d seen bullied the first day, never asked me anything that pried, and I only offered her the kind of information that I felt was fine to share. Usually, we talked about school, college, and when the time came, boys.

“What is what like?”

She leans her hip against the counter. “I get to ogle some hot celebs who come in here, but never Garrick Matthews. What’s it like knowing him? He seems so…”

“Flirty?” I offer. Honestly, I’m glad her question is about Garrick and not my current roommate. It feels less weird talking about him.

Quinn laughs. “That too. I was thinking more intense. I don’t know. Anyone who acts as cool and collected as he does in interviews usually has something he’s trying to hide.”

My face twists over her theory and wonder if there’s any truth to it. “Uh, he’s…nice.” Nice isn’t quite the word I’d use for him, but it’s true. “I know his brother more than I do him.”

Her brows arch. “His brother?” She clearly hasn’t done a lot of research into Garrick. If anyone really wanted to know him, they’d Google him. Otherwise, Chase is kept in the shadows where he wants to be, according to one of our many text conversations.

Not wanting to go into detail, I shrug. “I don’t really like talking about this stuff.”

Her frown only lasts a few seconds. “I guess that’s fair. So, did Mel seem upset? She’s usually pretty chill about stuff like that happening. I think she enjoys kicking people out.”

The tension in my muscles eases after her short-lived interrogation ends. Most people would push, and I’m grateful she doesn’t. “No, she wasn’t upset. I still have a job.”

Quinn blanches. “Did you think you’d lose it? Mel is, like, the bomb here. She’s been managing for almost ten years and has only fired one person for stealing.”

“Really?”

A nod.

“Huh.” I rub my arm. “She might be giving me more hours as long as me being here doesn’t disrupt the customers. I’m hoping to lay low for a while until things die down.”

When she glances out into the lounge and then back at me, I see hesitation on her face that I can’t read well. “So, I just wanted to say that Harmony shouldn’t have done what she did. But…”

I wait.

“She’s my friend.”

Oh.

“And I’m not saying that she shouldn’t get into trouble because it’s not cool selling people out, but she gets over excited easily.”

Telling her that I’m not upset with Harmony wouldn’t be the full truth. I am, in a way, that she posted the photos. Especially because she doesn’t know me or my circumstances. I don’t talk much to people here about my personal life. They know my first name, that I just moved here, and that I’m attending UCLA in the fall. Nobody knows my major, where I’m living, or the fact this isn’t my first stint in the area. Not unless they dig. And now that my photo is out there to go along with the cameo in Mia’s show, it won’t take long for people to find that information if they’re interested enough.

Sighing, I busy my hands. “I used to be a huge fan of Violet Wonders. You know, Garrick’s band. I’ve only talked with him a few times and it’s never been that earthshattering. He’s like anyone else, just with a lot of money and fans attached.”

She deadpans. “So…like nobody else.”

Like Kyler. Like Mia. Like three quarters of our clientele who still buy themselves things rather than asking other people to do it for them. “I’m trying to say that I understand why she felt the need to post the pics, but I’m not okay with being part of some media flurry. I’m here to work, earn money, and eventually, go to college. That’s all I want. It took me a while to figure out that Garrick is another human who, yes, has a lot more than most people, but is a decent guy.”

All she does is stare at me. Not knowing what else to say, I lift a shoulder awkwardly and walk around her to finish the last of my inventory for the day. I don’t expect anybody to understand where I’m coming from. Seven years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to either.

Seven years changes people.

It changed me.

I think about what I said. My goals. I wouldn’t mind a friend or two, but I have to be choosy. I lost touch with Nora after I moved away from Cali. She emailed, I replied a few times, but eventually there was nothing in my life that I was willing to share freely. Mom was a mess. We got kicked out a lot. Struggled finding money for food. I could have confided in Nora, but it wouldn’t have made a difference. I’m the reason our friendship failed, just like I always am.

With Anna.

With Kyler.

Inwardly sighing, I tell myself to stop thinking about it. The past can’t be changed. If I wanted to, I could reach out to my former friends. I’m just not sure what I’d say. Anna liked asking about Kyler because of Single Division more than she asked about me. So, when I got an email from her after I was captured in a picture with the Kyler Bishop the year I first moved, it led to our first big fight. One of many because I wouldn’t tell her the details of what it’s like being around them.

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