“Yeah, yeah…” I wave her off, happy to keep looking for her ugly vase.
She switches gears, feigning innocence. Raney is not innocent, so I prepare myself for another of her mouthy retorts. “Anyway, there’s this Ho I know, who I mostly love like a sister who refuses to leave Unity over any of the holiday breaks. I’m happy to flunk Sculpting to keep you company.”
“No thank you, I don’t need you to be here with me. Jesus, how taxing would that be, for me?” I scoff rolling my eyes.
“Don’t get nasty, it suits you too much. You should come with us, Ho. Pack a bag now and fly over for a few days.”
“And watch you two for a whole weekend? Look, thanks for the offer, but I think hanging here with Bella sounds less…”
This time Raney snorts loudly, her eyes rolling dramatically before she raises her top lip at me like a snarl. “Don’t be a bitch.”
“I’m not being a bitch. Bella actually does have all these lovely activities planned.”
I’m lying to Raney, and she knows it. Like everyone else at Unity, Bella left to go home or do whatever she’s doing for the long weekend. There was also a group of students who boarded the Collegiate bus to attend a glamping adventure at the secure Omega campgrounds, and I could have gone but that was never going to happen.
It was an easy decision to stay at Unity with the maintenance staff. There isn’t anything extra sinister going on. I am actually busy with the Verdune quarterly Board Meeting. But I also have zero interest in leaving. I’m more than fine here.
Thinking of the meeting, I recheck the time on my watch before grabbing an orange spritzer out of the fridge. It’s my comfort drink. I mean anything orange is. And today I need all the help I can get. “Raney, babes, go do your thing. I’ll find your art disaster. It doesn’t have to be handed in until midnight, so I’ve got plenty of time.”
Of course, she ignores me, getting hung up on me being alone. “When do Sim and Tris get back?”
“Tris has a photoshoot and will be back after lunch Monday. Simona is speaking at a rally before doing some conference so she’s back sometime after that. If you want the details, you could actually check the chat. I’m going, love you. Ping me a pin so I know where you are in case he decides not to return you this time.”
I hang up before she can utter another word. Not that Raney argues too much. Well, that’s a complete load of bullshit. She nips and niggles under my skin about absolutely everything happening and not happening in my life, in the way best friends do.
There is nothing ordinary about the relationship I have with my Scorned Girls. As Hallmark as it sounds, they are a necessary part of me even when they drive me to the brink of insanity. And they do, a lot. Some days Tristan’s exuberance is as loud as her voice, but sometimes I need that noise despite my insistence I don’t. Simone’s mothering is easy to interpret as babying, yet I’m there as soon as her door opens every morning to get my cuddle from her. And clearly Raney and I share more than a broken heart. Some days she gets me more than I get me. Which is a lot, considering the amount of time I’ve spent overanalysing every word or action I have ever done or said.
Raney texts me back before I get a chance to shut the door to her room.
R: BULLSHIT! I completely forgot we’ve got the mixer on Thursday night.
H: *Gasp* How could you? It’s sure to be the highlight of our week! Leave me in peace, woman, while I try to find your grotesque vase.
R: Grotesque is right. It’s nearly as ugly as your face.
H: Yet you’re the one that left our home wearing those hideous leather pants.
R: Fuck off. Koz loves them.
H: I’m not going there.
R: I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you wear them to the mixer.
H: How delightful. I’ll swap, but you have to wear what I choose for you then.
R: So, I’m going to look like a hooker then?
H: You got to do you. Bye, babe, I’m busy you know trying to find your attempt at being creative. Maybe the cleaning crew thought it was a door stop.
R: Holy shit. It’s in Sim’s room actually, under her bed. Don’t ask.
H: I’m asking.
R: Not answering.
H: And where was I?
R: On a date with… who was it last Wednesday? I can’t remember his name.
