I am very, very concerned.
Gracie:We’ll talk later to figure out how we’ll get there. I’m excited. Jack’s place is apparently unreal.
I’m not excited. I’m terrified. But I amdeterminedtoo. I look over at Tentacle Ted. The person who hurt Jay could be at that party. I don’t know if it was Bailey Cressman, or Jack Gormley, or one of the other trust-fund kids. Jay said that it’s hard to find a happily ever after in a place you’re not supposed to be. And from what I know about Jay and this crowd, he was never supposed to be one of them.
And I know I’m not supposed to be one of them either.
When I wake up the next morning, the first thing I do, even before checking my email or socials, is check ResConnect. When I see Jay’s name as one of the two registered residents of room 225, I breathe a sigh of relief. I didn’t realize how afraid I was when I didn’t hear from him yesterday. Just because he disappears in November in my timeline doesn’t mean that’s when he’ll go missing inhistimeline. Ugh. This time-skip is giving me a headache.
But his name on my phone screen means Jay is okay. It means he’s in this room now. Well, not now.Then.
I look over to Jay’s empty bed, and Tentacle Ted stares back at me. Is Jay there sleeping right now? Or maybe he’s awake and lookingat his phone? Is he covered with a warm duvet, or a thin sheet? Is he wearing a shirt? And where was he last night? Did he have one of his no-commitment hookups?
I exhale. Mia was right. I do have to stop lusting after unavailable guys.
My phone buzzes. It’s ResConnect.
Jay:You awake?
Aleeza:Yes.
I don’t want to ask him where he was last night, because it’s none of my business. But I don’t know what to say. So I say nothing, because I’m awkward.
Jay:Sorry I bailed out on Back to the Future last night. I ended up meeting up with my cousin for dinner instead of lunch and stayed late.
I smile. He didn’t ditch me. He was working on our investigation.
Aleeza:Can I ask her if she’ll talk to me now?
Jay:Yep. I told her all about the new friend I met on campus. She’s delighted with you already. She even painted you a little octopus. I’ll figure out how to get it to you. Or even better—I’ll give it to you in person when I’m safe and sound.
That’s the first time either of us mentioned the possibility of Jay and me meeting in person one day. I smile. He sends me his cousin Manal’s Instagram account and tells me to contact her there.
Jay:Fair warning, though. I’m pretty sure she thinks you and I are secretly dating, or I have a major crush on you. I had to tell her how much I trust you and value our friendship, and of course she jumped to conclusions. She was relieved when she found out you’re Indian. And you being from a Muslim family was the cherry on the sundae.
I exhale. How am I going to talk to this person who thinks I’mdatingJay? As soon as she meets me, she’ll see that I’m nothing like those perfect, tall, wavy-haired girls.
Aleeza:I’m not religious, though.
Jay:Neither am I. But my family is, and Manal knows now they’ll approve of you.
I don’t know what to say about any of this, so I change the subject.
Aleeza:Aster managed to get us an invitation to Jack Gormley’s party on Saturday.
Jay:Seriously? You’re going to a party at Jack’s house?
Aleeza:Yeah, it’s the only way we can get close to Bailey Cressman. The person who did this to you could be there. What’s the story with Jack? Aster said he’s a bit shady. You two are friends?
Jay:Jack’s an interesting one. But yeah, we’re good friends. It’s just ... Jack’s parties are ... a lot.
Aleeza:Sex, drugs, and rock n roll?
Jay:Minus the rock n roll. It won’t be your scene.
For some reason, him assuming I’m too naive for this party bothers me.
Aleeza:Aster said this Birdwatching thing is something Jack would do.
