“You wouldn’t have been invited either,” April says through gritted teeth. She eyes me with barely veiled disdain. “If you weren’t one of the help.”

A gawking girl nearby gasps at the outright insult.

I smirk. I learned a long time ago that the best way to deal with people like April and Leo and all the rest is to act like you don’t care. Never, ever let them see that they hurt you, my mom used to say. Keep your chin up. That’s the only way to stand tall.

I let my smile grow like her comment amuses me. Like my insides aren’t coiling in rage and my brain isn’t working itself into a frenzy calling up memory after memory from my childhood.

I squash those memories before they can ruin my moment, and instead, lean in with a wicked grin. One that’s knowing and obnoxious and that will drive April absolutely insane.

“I know why you’re upset, sweetie. But it’s not my fault that Leo likes me more than you.”

She stiffens. Of course that’s what it’s about. Boys are what it’s always about with April. Who likes who is the single most important factor in her life. To be liked by a guy is success in her books.

Like I’d said before. Pathetic.

“You tried,” I say with a condescending little pout of sympathy. “We all saw you throw yourself at him, how you invited yourself over for a family dinner…” I trail off with a sigh. “But, as your friend, I have to tell you. It’s time to stop making a fool of yourself, April.”

Her face contorts, her jaw working and her cheeks growing red. She storms off in a huff, Brittany close behind.

“I don’t understand.” Isla’s droll voice behind me has me turning to face the pretty brunette. Her brows are drawn together in feigned confusion as she takes the ball from under my arm and rolls it in her hands. “So you don’t like being referred to as ‘the help’?”

I burst out laughing and sling an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, city girl,” I say as I steer her toward the court. “I’m gonna show you how to play this game.”

She laughs and keeps up easy chatter as the staring crowd goes back to their business.

This was Isla’s way of having my back, and I love her for it.

And that’s why she’s family, just like the rest of my coworkers. And the Aprils of my world?

Well, I have to deal with them. They are, unfortunately, an unavoidable part of my life. But at least I’m spared another run-in with April until the next morning.

April’s had time to calm down by the time we reach calculus the next morning. “Savannah!” she calls cheerfully when I walk in the door. She’s grinning and waving and…this is not unusual. April never holds a grudge. She’s quick to anger but goes back to being a suck-up very quickly.

By the time we’re heading to lunch, I’m actually feeling a little guilty about the way I’d publicly smacked her down the day before. I mean, she had it coming, but still…

Before I can say something to smooth it over, she beats me to it. “Look,” she says when Brittany and Cora walk ahead of us to the cafeteria. “I know I’m overreacting about this whole new girl birthday party thing…”

“No,” I say quickly. “I get it. It’s rude of Leo to leave you out just because you and Addie didn’t hit it off right away.”

“Right?” she says, and she looks so grateful that I understand, I can’t help but smile. I lean into her and nudge her shoulder.

“It’s gonna be a lame party anyway,” I say. “From what I hear, it’s mostly a little kids’ party anyway.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right. It’s just…” She groans and slaps a hand over her eyes. “Ugh, this is so embarrassing.”

I cast a quick glance her way. “What is?”

“You know how Leo asked me to that family dinner at his grandfather’s house the other week?”

I just stare at her. April really is good at rewriting a narrative. I’d been there when she outright invited herself along, pushy as ever.

“Well…” She casts me this coy look and I swear it’s almost impossible not to roll my eyes. “We kinda hooked up.”

“Oh yeah?” I don’t have to feign boredom. I am bored.

For years now, April has been convinced that I secretly have a thing for Leo. Why? Don’t ask me. I think she’s just incapable of understanding that there are some females out there who don’t care about being in a relationship.

I think half of her obsession with Leo is because she thinks I want him. And she wants to have whatever I want.