“I didn’t think that was your scene,” Sunny commented.
“I’m a sucker for it,” Jessica admitted. “What can I say? I’m the first one to speak out about patriarchal nonsense, but sometimes, dammit, I want to look like a princess. I work hard to keep this figure. So what if I want to show it off a little bit?”
The girls talked on a bit longer, but their words darted in one ear and out the other. I couldn’t help but dwell on the fact that there was no way I could afford to do this. The thought crossed my mind that I could maybe ask for the money. I knew any of the girls would do it for me, or even any of my three guys. But something about it made me feel gross even thinking it. Did I really want to be the girl from the sticks that her rich and famous friends cleaned up and made presentable for high society?
“What about you, Aubrey?” Sunny asks. “Got anyone you wanna ask?”
“Ask?” I said, distracted.
“Yeah, ask to the ball,” Tiffany finished. “I go solo for every single one. If they want to date me so bad, they can do it at the party.”
I flipped a coin in my head, to see if I wanted to stay aloof or fake my enthusiasm. Looking at the happy expression on Tiffany’s face, I decided to go for fake enthusiasm. They were being sweet to me and they didn’t need a raincloud to ruin their fun.
“I really don’t know,” I said, plastering the smile on my face. “But I’m definitely excited. Or at least I was, until I remembered that it’s my birthday.”
“On the same day as the ball? Awesome!” Tiffany said. “This is gonna be a real party now.”
“We’re going to do it up so right,” Jessica grinned. “The campus balls are always crazy over the top. We’re going to make sure you have the time of your life.”
“I wish I could,” I said with feigned disappointment. “But my family wants to celebrate with me, so I think I’ll end up heading home for the weekend instead.”
“No way!” Sunny exclaimed. “You cannot miss this.”
“How many chances do you get to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of anything?” Jessica said. “There’s no way the planning committee doesn’t do something spectacular this year.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” I said. “I don’t get to see my family too often.”
“Well, if, just hypothetically, you were to go,” Tiffany said, leaning in. “Who would you take?”
“I have no clue,” I said. “I barely know anyone, and honestly, who would want to go with me to something so… I don’t know, regal?”
“What about those VIP Lit guys I’m always seeing you with?” Sunny asked.
Oh no. No, no no no.
“Yeah, they all look super interested in you,” Jessica added. “Those are some good catches, all of them. They aren’t really my type, but you could do a lot worse than the golden trio.”
If my girlfriends noticed I was spending a lot of time with all three of my guys, other people must have noticed for sure. That was the last thing I needed. What if those rumors I worried so much about had already started?
“Nah,” I said, trying to sound casual about it. “I know you all thought Jaeson might be into me that one time, but we’re just good colleagues, working together on the school’s magazine. All of us are. There’s nothing more to it than that.”
“It’s not a big deal if there is,” Jessica said. “I know you’re under a lot of stress right now with all of this disgusting slut shaming, but it’s okay to date someone.”
“Especially one of those three,” Sunny added.
“I’d date all three if I could,” Tiffany quipped.
I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. I needed to be more discreet from here on out, and make sure we aren’t being so obvious. I couldn’t have any of this blow back on them.
“All right, Miss Secretive,” Sunny teased. “How about your stories? Got anything new coming?”
“Besides half the campus,” Tiffany quipped.
My cheeks flushed. It was one thing to know people liked my romance stories, but it was another to know they were getting their rocks off on them.
“I’m working on a new project now,” I told them, “but I’m still figuring it out.”
“You know what you need to do?” Sunny said. “Add some more group action.”
