Nix scoffs. “A womanizing pig is thedefinitionof an asshole.”
“He can be sweet sometimes,” Jolie murmurs. “He was really nice to Nylah that night. Do you remember? When he took her to the winter dance?”
“Okay, fine. So he lost his head for one night and behaved like a decent human being, but for the other 364 days of the year, he is all pig with no redeeming qualities.”
Charli can’t help a short laugh. “Why are you so hard on him?”
“Because he told me I had a monobrow, then attacked me with a pair of tweezers.”
“He was joking.” Charli snorts. “To be honest, he was probably just using it as an excuse to touch you or something. That boy thinks you’re hot.”
“That boy can’t stand me either,” Nix bites back. “And as if I would ever let him put one of those dirty little fingers on me.”
Now Charli’s the one rolling her eyes. “You know his eyebrow has never grown back the same.”
Nix raises her chin, sniffing the air imperiously. “Serves him right for trying to pluck mine.”
“Yeah, but did you have to shave the entire thing off?”
“I would have shaved both of them if he hadn’t woken up.”
Jolie giggles. “And found you straddling him. He must have thought he’d woken up in heaven.”
“Until he figured out what she did, and all hell broke loose.” Charli winces.
Nix puffs out her chest with a triumphant grin. “I mean, I know he’s told me I’m not allowed to come within three feet of him again, but I swear it was worth it.”
I grin, glancing around the table and almost wishing I was part of this shared history. Nix and Charli are both sophomores now, and Jolie came along when she started dating one of Charli’s roommates. He plays basketball too, and I think his name is… Ben? That sounds right.
A lot of names get thrown around when I meet up with these girls, and it’s hard to keep track of them all.
All I do know is that Nix hates Charli’s brother, which is a shame, because Charli and Darian are obviously tight. It must be really awkward for Charli being caught in the middle like that. Though now that Nix is all loved-up with a new boyfriend, she’snot hanging out with Charli as much, so I think it’s relieved some of the tension.
Darian obviously doesn’t hold any warm feelings toward Nix either, and I can only imagine the intensity of their angst if they ever cross paths.
“Anyway, let’s talk about something else.” Charli picks up the other half of her chicken salad wrap and glances at me. “Heard your date bombed last night.”
My mouth pops open, and I throw Nix an accusing frown.
The little pixie raises her hands but doesn’t actually look that apologetic. “I’m sorry. She asked, and I spilled.”
“Why did you even tell her I was going out in the first place?”
“She’s my bestie.” Nix reaches across the table and grabs Charli’s wrist. “I tell her everything.”
“She does.” Charli nods, talking with her mouth full. “And she loves to spill the tea on her roommates, so… watch out.”
I narrow my eyes at Nix, who once again tries to justify her gossipy ways. “In fairness, your tea hasn’t been all that tasty until last night, so I mostly talk about Tobs and Jeddy.”
“I’m sure they would love to hear that.”
“Oh, they know.” Nix flicks her fingers through the air. “They don’t mind. And Charli’s super happy for them over the whole New York thing.”
“It sounds amazing.” Jolie’s eyes bulge. “Moving to the big city like that. Wow.” Her smile is pure excitement.
“See?” Nix points across the table. “I make people smile with my awesome news. Look how happy our Jo-Jo is, and she’s not even the one going.”
“Maybe one day.” Jolie grins. “Living in an apartment in Manhattan, maybe working for some high-flying paper or magazine company. Ben could play for the Knicks. It’d be amazing.”
