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I scoff.
“No, I’m serious. People like you. She thought she had this in the bag until you were nominated. Now she’s freaked and she’s taking it out on you.”
“He’s got a point,” Stephanie says, nodding.
Adika and Tessa seem to agree.
“So, what are we going to do about it?” Dylan asks.
The word “we” makes my heart flutter. But the happy feeling doesn’t last. The situation feels hopeless. I shrug. “What can we do?” I ask.
We sit in thick silence for several minutes.
“What has school been like?” I ask, cutting through the quiet with my question. I’m not sure I want to know, but feel I have to hear what I’m up against.
Dylan and Stephanie exchange a look. Their wide eyes and silent mouths tell me everything. I hide my face in a pillow.
“It’s not that bad,” Tessa starts.
“Oh, don’t lie to her,” Stephanie says. “Taylor and her trolls have been sharing your videos like crazy on social media. They’re trying to make them go viral, I think.”
“But Taylor isn’t as powerful as she thinks she is. I doubt it’s gone outside of the Carolina’s,” Adika adds. “I think she hoped Ethan would share them too, but he is staying out of it.”
“Don’t show her the memes,” Stephanie says quickly.
“Or the TikTok,” Dylan whispers.
“Life just keeps getting better and better,” I mumble. “Do any of you know where I could get a fake ID and passport?” I ask, falling back onto my comforter. I’m joking. Sort of.
Tessa wipes her thumb across my cheek. “Sorry,” she says. “You had a smudge.”
I quickly cover my face with both hands. “Oh my gosh, my makeup is probably smeared all over my face. I haven’t washed it in days. I probably look like a demonic clown.”
“Only a little,” Dylan teases.
Tessa slaps him playfully.
I sigh. I’ve been avoiding this question, but I know it needs to be asked. “How are…the guys?” I ask.
They all exchange looks again. I know I’m not going to like their answer.
“Ethan lost a lot of followers,” Adika says. “But you know Ethan, he’s playing it off like it’s all a big joke.”
“Austin has just been really quiet,” Stephanie says. “I think he’s really hurt.” I open my mouth to say something, but she cuts me off. “I know you would never hurt him intentionally!” she adds. “And I know he still cares about you.”
“And Jaron?” I ask.
“He’s been really moody,” Dylan says. “And he hasn’t been doing very well at practice.”
“This seems impossible,” I say, throwing my hands up. “How do I even fix this? Do I even want to?”
“Of course you want to,” Stephanie says. “You know how I know? Because you’re one of the nicest, most caring people I know. In all honesty, it sometimes makes me sick.”
I smile at her.
“I think,” Adika says. “I think I have an idea.”
We all look at her.
