“What? You love these events!”
“I do, but I also have to retake seven exams five days after New Year's. I need to study and prepare accordingly.”
“Sweetheart, you’re a young woman. I understand your need to succeed and have a good career, but you won’t be in your twentiesforever. You need to learn and relax.”
“My idea of relaxation includes a perfectly conducted schedule that is followed to the smallest of details.”
“I hate how much you look like your father,” she mutters. “But since I’m having a dress made for you — well, two, one for both events — you’d better come. If you want, you can invite your friends to come for Christmas. The Lennons are invited anyway, so you’ll have Grace.”
Relief is almost instant. I adore all types of parties, balls, and whatnot, as long as they align with my schedule. Having Grace there to take my mind off things will make it a lot easier.
“I’ll invite Avalon and Lila.”
“Invite whoever you want,” she pauses. “But not that Ford boy.”
“Why in the world would I ever invite Soren?”
“Probably the same reason you leaked that video — a sudden loss of all reason.”
“I did no such thing.”
Mom gives me a pointed look. “The moment the news hit all the articles, I smelled Sophia Sloane all over it. You’re the only person on campus reckless enough to do something illegal.”
“I didn’t do it.”
“As I said, you’re a terrible liar sweetheart, and that whole revenge thing is rather amusing. I mean, the scandal went international, and a lot of clients switched from the Fords to us, so I should probably be thanking you. However,” she pauses, then gives me the stern mom look. “This better be the first and only time you do something like this, understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Perfect. Now, let’s go. I told the Dean you’ll be off campustonight.”
“Where are we going?”
“Your father is taking us out to dinner. There’s a fine restaurant in the next town over, and a four-star hotel. I booked us a spa night.”
Spending the night with Mom and Dad was just what I needed. From his terrible sense of humor that somehow always makes Mom laugh, to her unmatched gossip that I’ve been yearning to hear all about. The spa was absolutely amazing too. It helped me relax, and it was much needed. A little break never hurt anyone.
Now that I’m back, I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. Soren’s going to strike when I least expect it, and I can’t be unprepared. My lip has started to heal, the swelling has gone down, and the bruise is almost invisible. The worst part was having to explain to the girls how exactly it happened, and of course, I lied through my teeth.
“Your suspension starts tomorrow,” Grace rolls over on her bed, propping her chin in her hands, elbows resting on the bed, with a pillow tucked under her stomach. I don’t know when my dorm became the hangout spot, but I don’t mind it. “What are you going to do?”
“She’s going to study,” Avalon responds without looking up from the screen, scrolling on her phone. Her feet are lifted up on the edge of the bed, as she sways the chair left and right, half-spinning. “And we probably won’t hear from her during the duration of her suspension. She’ll be stuck in the library.”
“Alright, no need to pick on me,” I mutter, sitting on the floor. My reading glasses are on, and I struggle to hold in my laugh. I’ve been keeping tabs on the Soren scandal, and even though it’s been a week and a half since I leaked it, it’s still one of the biggest news in the industry. The man’s done for; his reputation has plummeted beyondrepair. “I’m just trying to fix the mess the bastard put me in.”
“You keep calling him a bastard,” Lila chimes in. “Is he really not his father’s son, or do you just like using the word to insult him because it gets to him?”
I look up from my laptop, shoulders slumping. “There was a rumor. It’s supposedly been debunked, but I don’t know. If it’s not true, why would it bother him so much?”
“Maybe because that rumor almost ruined his family?” Grace snorts. “Who even started the rumor?”
“Oh,” I blink and chuckle to myself. “I did.”
All three turn to look at me. Lila stops eating her chips, mouth dropping open a little. Avalon’s eyebrows slowly lift to her hairline, and for the first time tonight, she puts the phone away. Meanwhile, Grace has this smug smirk on her face, almost as if she’s known all along.
“What?” I ask, a frown on my face. “Are you really surprised?”
“Well, no,” Avalon drawls out. “But really? That’s what you came up with?”
