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We all burst out laughing, knowing exactly what kind of time Flow was having. He never came to big parties like this anyway, preferring his basement and a few trusted people instead. Jett would probably be joining him later tonight.
“What took you so long? Did your dad keep you for dinner again or something?”
“You joke, but that’s not even funny. He’s been wanting to do more and more father-daughter things together lately. It’s… weird. I almost wish he’d get married again just, so he had someone else to hang out with.”
Malia choked on her drink, needing Ali to thump her back to get her breathing again.
“Hey, by the way, I got tickets to see that comedian you like in a few months. Someone owed me a favor,” I told Ali. His mouth dropped in shock and I smiled back at him. I loved surprising my friends with little things like this every now and then.
And doing jobs for so many people meant that I had connectionseverywhere. Even though most people paid me for their jobs, if I did it well, I stayed in their good graces, which meant I could call in a favor back occasionally.
Ali had been dying to see this comedian, but he sold out within minutes every time. It was next to impossible to get tickets.
But I didn’t do impossible. I was Una Nielsen, and I found a way every time, no matter what.
“This is why you’re my favorite person on the planet, Una. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently.” Ali leaned over, brushing his shoulder against mine, and putting his arm around me.
I flinched slightly, not being a huge fan of being touched. But for Ali, I allowed it. Malia wasn’t a hugger either, so that was fine with both of us.
My heart warmed slightly knowing Ali was happy. It reassured me that my choice earlier had been the right one.
I leaned back into the couch, making myself comfortable, and listening to the conversation around me.
Not even ten minutes later, the vibe in the room changed. One by one, everyone’s eyes slid to the doorway.
I spun around only after seeing a smile suddenly appear on Ali’s lips.
Aria. With the meanest look I had ever seen on her face. “I can’t believe you, Una. Really, honestly, I thought you were a decent person. And then you go and—”
Hustling across the room, I grabbed her by the arm and led her away, not wanting to cause a scene. “Let’s not hang out in doorways, princess. Some may question your upbringing.”
We didn’t make it past the hallway connecting the den to the dining room, before she shrugged me off and glared at me, her eyes bulging with rage.
“No, Una! You can’t talk your way out of this one. I know you had something to do with it!”
“You need to chill,” I said in a low voice, hoping no one followed us. “Everyone gets rejected. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Her jaw dropped. “Not that big of a deal? It may not be to you, but it is to me. This isn’t fair, Una. I’m not paying you.”
Now she crossed the line. I told her I’d consider setting her up. And I did. Not for long, but I gave it an iota of a thought. It so happened that I found the loophole that made it so I didn’t have to subject my best friend to the inevitable heartbreak that came with finding love.
“It’s not my fault he turned you down,” I said louder than I wanted to. Without even turning around, I sensed a crowd forming behind me.
“I highly doubt he did! You sabotaged me!” Aria practically screamed.
I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to do this right here. If she had an issue, she could contact me the same way everyone else did. Not by shouting in the hallway of a party, where tons of people were now watching.
“Aria, if you would like to discuss—”
“Yes, Una, I want todiscussyour inability to—”
“Watch it—”
“Do you hate everyone, Una, or only me?”
“I’m not particularly fond of Fairview princesses,” I answered. “Especially the ones who get whatever they want, no matter the cost. Some of us have to fight for what we want.”
“I did fight! I came to you! I asked foryourhelp!”
