Page 74 of Pucking Good Girl

“I’m fine, Sammie,” I reassure her. “As fine as I can be, given the circumstances.”

There’s a short pause on the other end of the line. “Are you at your parents’?”

“No, Tucker is staying with them, remember? They don’t have much room in their new apartment. I stayed at Macklin’s last night.”

The relief in her voice is palpable. “Thank goodness. I was so worried that I didn’t sleep a wink. I wanted to come out to find you, but by the time I was done moving all your things to my room, it was late. Carissa convinced me that you’d be at your parents’ or at Mack’s and that coming to wake everyone in the middle of the night was rude. I’m glad she was right. I’m just so relieved you called.”

“I’m sorry for not calling sooner, sweetie. But yesterday I was out all day and my phone died. I didn’t see your messages until I woke up this morning.”

There’s another beat of hesitation. “Yeah? I thought maybe you weren’t responding to my messages because you were mad at me.”

“What? No, Sammie, never. Why would I be mad at you? Listen, I don’t feel like talking to anyone else, but if you’re alone, I’ll switch to video call.”

“I’m in my room.”

When Sam’s pretty face fills my phone screen, I feel like the worst best friend ever. There are dark circles under her eyes, and she looks like she’s been crying.

“Sam, I’m so sorry. I swear my phone was dead, and I didn’t see your messages until literally two seconds ago. I hate that you thought I was mad at you. And by the way, why would I be mad at you?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs. “I was no help last night. I thought most of the sisters would be on our side, but…”

I shake my head, feeling as defeated as I did after last night’s vote. “Yeah, I thought so too. But none of what happened was your fault, babe. If you hadn’t called me, Gen would have gotten me voted out without me even knowing, and I would have found all my stuff outside in the rain.”

Sam sighs. “Yeah, I guess that was her plan.”

I tell Sam what Carissa whispered to me before I left the house. “It was either they kicked me out, or everyone who didn’t vote with Gen would have been homeless too.”

“That bitch!” My best friend seethes. “That’s why she wanted an open vote. But I’m still disappointed in our sisters. If they all voted against kicking you out, Gen wouldn’t have been able to kick the whole sorority out.”

“You’re right, but unfortunately people tend to choose self-preservation when they’re put under pressure. That’s why Gen called the meeting with such short notice. She didn’t want anyone to have time to think clearly about the situation.”

Sam’s gaze softens as she looks at me. “You’re a much better person than I am. If I were you, I’d be so mad at them even if they were scared of losing their rooms.”

“Oh, believe me, I’m furious.” My laugh is bitter. “But what’s done is done. Macklin said I can stay here for as long as I want, and I have bigger problems than housing right now.”

When Sam asks me what I mean, I tell her what happened in Professor Cantucci’s class and with Victor.

“Are you shitting me?” Sam’s eyes are wide with outrage. “What the fuck is wrong with Gen? It’s like she wants to destroy you.”

That’s exactly what it’s like. “I think her plan was always to kick me out of the house for dating Macklin. But she was biding her time because she wanted to use me to pass Cantucci’s class without studying. When I didn’t fall in line, and I didn’t agree to cheat on the pop quizzes, she didn’t need me anymore. And here we are.”

“I think you’re right.” Sam muses. “God, Gen is the fucking Antichrist.”

“That’s offensive to the Devil. I think he or she is probably capable of more compassion than Genevieve.”

Sam agrees with me. “After last night, I think you’re right. You aren’t going to sleep with Victor, right?”

“I’d rather get expelled than let that creep lay one finger on me.”

She shudders. “He has always creeped me out, even when he was dating Fiona. Remember? In some way, he and Gen deserve each other. But what are you going to do about it? You don’t deserve to be expelled.”

“I have no idea, Sammie. But I need to find a solution in the next few days. Victor’s offer expires after we present our group project.”

“Whatever you decide,” she offers. “I’m here if you need my help.”

If Sam were here, I would hug her. “I know you are. But thank you for reminding me. I love you.”

My best friend smiles for the first time since she answered the phone. “I love you too, Talia. To the moon and back. And speaking about love, do you mind if I ask you a question?”