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Emma
Back to reality. A few more weeks of classes, then exams followed by the Christmas break. I couldn’t wait. It would be my first Christmas with Zach.
On my way out of history class I ran into Julia. I hadn’t seen her since Brett’s cabin and she jogged over to me. She had a huge bag slung over her shoulders and set it down when she reached me.
“I really have to stop carrying so much crap around,” she said. “How are you? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’m good. And you?”
“Studying hard. I plan on graduating this spring. Got to keep those grades up.”
I nodded. This was weird. We weren’t friends, I mean, she was nice enough, but we weren’t besties. “Right, of course.”
Did I awkwardly set off and tell her I had to go even though I was finished classes for the day?
She caught her breath and gave me a sheepish smile. “I haven’t seen you since the cabin and I wanted to apologize for coming off so strong about the whole Bianca thing. I know it was ugly and I didn’t want to sound like I was taking sides. Bianca is my friend, but I also know how she can be. And I know I shit on Zach and that wasn’t cool.”
“It’s okay. No big deal.”
“Bianca is having a bit of a rough year and I figured I was helping, but I should have kept my mouth shut.”
I blinked a few times. What was all this? A million thoughts circulated through my head. Her speech sounded rehearsed. “Julia, did Zach say something to you?”
A blank look crossed her face. “Uh, no. Why would he?”
“No reason,” I said, pushing my paranoid doubts to the side.
“I realized later that I may have inflamed a situation that was finally over, and the last thing I wanted to do was stir up trouble.”
“Nothing came of it.” But why, after three months, was she bringing this up? “Did something happen recently?”
Julia grimaced and I knew I’d hit a nerve. “I know you hate her, but I’m probably one of her last friends and I hate to see what she’s going through. I’d hate that for anyone. I know everyone thinks she’s the devil, but she’s not. She’s just . . . complicated. And when you think about it, she lost the first guy she ever truly loved, her so-called friends disappeared and now she risks flunking out of school. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you to feel sorry for her, but I wish everyone would leave her alone.”
“So something has happened?” My heart picked up a few beats. She was supposed to be left alone. That was the deal.
“Nothing specific. At least nothing she’s said to me. The thing is . . .” She paused. “After I talked to you, it seems some crap started. Now I’m not saying you’re responsible or anything, but if you mentioned it to Zach, he might have . . . well, you know.”
Sent out his goons? My head began to fog. What was going on? My mouth started moving, but I stopped it before I said anything I would regret.
“I think Brett’s the main problem. First he’s being a jerk about Bianca, then he’s trying to clean it up. I don’t know if Zach’s been telling him to start crap, I’d like to think he isn’t, but Brett knows a lot of people. So does Zach.”
Right, Zach’s biggest goon. “He’ll leave her alone, I promise,” was all I could get out.
“Okay, good. Well, I’ve got to get to class. It was nice seeing you.”
She set off and I watched her go. I’d decided to forget about Bianca, but she kept coming back into the picture like that nasty smell in our fridge I couldn’t find. I was certain something had died in there.
But more importantly, why was I feeling sorry for Bianca? She put me in the hospital! She deserved everything that was coming to her. That’s the thing about karma. It’s a total bitch. But, she didn’t deserve this. It was supposed to be over, we were all going on our merry little way, but Zach kept throwing a wrench in our peaceful co-existence and somehow Brett was involved too. He was supposed to leave her alone! Now I was angry.
With a few hours to spare, I went to the tennis club and met with Ben. He wanted to finalize our class schedule. I was up to two group lessons and four single lessons. The extra money was going to come in very handy for New York.
Ben wasn’t in the office so I decided to check my email. Meredith had emailed me a few times, the first time almost immediately after my happy Thanksgiving email. Our conversations were short, a few questions here and there. The thing was that even though we were connected by blood, we were total strangers.
I read through the messages from her. The last one caught my attention.
To: Emma Andrews
From: Meredith Irvine
December 1st, 2015
Hello Emma,
How are you today? I bet you’re back at school. I’m so happy to hear about your grandfather’s engagement. As a kid I remember your grandmother very well, and I think you’re right, she’d be delighted with this news. She was the kind of person who wouldn’t want your grandfather to be alone. As for your dad, he’ll be just fine.
I know we only started talking, and I don’t want to push it, but I’d love to meet with you. Maybe we could have coffee sometime? No pressure, because I don’t want you to think you have to, but I’d really love to see you. Maybe think about it. Take as much time as you need because I know it will be a big step.
Talk soon,
Mom
Meet with her? No, I wasn’t ready for that. I put away my phone and pulled out my history textbook. I had a lot of studying to do. I wasn’t fifteen minutes into it when Ben strolled in. He seriously thought he was God’s gift to women everywhere. What a tool.
“I’ve got your schedule,” he said, sliding it across the desk towards me. He shot it to me with so much momentum it nearly sailed off the table. I scowled at him but he didn’t appear to care. I looked it over carefully and everything seemed in order.
“It looks fine.”
He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms behind his head. Smug as always. “I had a Ms. Genie Walker want to sign up for one of my classes.”
I looked up from my schedule. “You did?”
“I thought it was kind of weird. Why would your boyfriend’s sister sign up for my class?”
Good question. “I don’t know, Sherlock. Did you ask her?”
“She mentioned something about wanting to get in a good workout and felt it would be strange taking your class. Must be nice to have all that Walker money to throw away. Unless there is another reason she’s taking my class.”
Then I understood. “Do you think I have her spying on your classes?”
“You know that people have high expectations. Maybe you’re feeling inadequate?”
If he wasn’t so far away, I’d push him over in his chair. “The only thing inadequate around here is what’s in your pants.”
He sucked back on his lips like I’d made him eat a lemon. He took a second to recover. “I hope you can live up to your hype.”
No, he was a super tool. “I’m sure I can. The question is, can you? You’re the one with so much experience.”
He smirked. “I’m not worried about me.”
My eyes narrowed. “Do you have a problem with me?”
“No.” He said it like a defiant four-year-old.
“Look, if you have an issue with me, spit it out. The last thing I want is to work with someone who doesn’t want to work with me.”
Ben pressed his lips together. “Since we’re being so honest, I don’t think you deserve to teach here. I should be doing it all.” He said it so matter-of-fact, like his words weren’t meant to hurt.
My jaw dropped open. “Because you’re some washed up semi-pro who made the semifinals of one junior Grand Slam? Seriously? That makes you better than me?”
“At least I didn’t quit.”
I was silenced. “Right. I’m leaving. You’re an asshole.”
“I’ve been called worse,” he said as I left.
I was so mad. For some reason, instead of texting Zach to tell him what happened, I scrolled through numbers and found the one that I believed to be Bianca’s, the one that had tormented me for months.
Me: Zach says he has nothing to do with all your problems and I believe him.
I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but I sent it without regret. Bianca could kiss my ass, if she even responded, because responding would prove she’d sent all those texts last year. Did I care? Not even a bit. Would I regret it later? Possibly. I was tired of people feeling sorry for her, and my run-in with Julia and then stupid Ben had pushed me over the edge.
000:000:0000: He’s lying and I’m probably an idiot for replying to you. Are you going to call the cops now? Ruin me some more?
My cheeks flushed. I stopped walking and attempted to contain my bubbling rage.
Me: He’s not lying.
A few seconds passed. In that time I edited the number to attach her name.
Bianca: Are you really that dumb? Seriously? Did you ask him about the video he took?
I stared at the text for a minute or two. My heart picked up a few beats and I could feel a clammy sweat form all over. I took in a few deep breaths and strategized.
Me: I know he has a video.
Bianca: Why don’t you ask to see it cuz I know you haven’t. If you had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
I put my phone away and stormed to the bus stop. I wanted to go home. I glanced at my watch and knew Zach would be there. I hopped on the next bus for the short ride to our place. I found him at the dining room table, his laptop in front of him as he typed away.
I dropped my bag and didn’t bother taking off my jacket. I stood at the opposite end of the table and he looked up from his computer, an innocent expression on his face.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“The video,” I said between hurried breaths, “I want to see it.”