“What about him?” I clutched the mug, replicating her bland smile from earlier. She shook her head a little but didn’t reply.

“Anyway, what did you get up to all weekend?” I asked.

Amelia hesitated, spoonful of oatmeal halfway to her mouth. She looked down at the white ceramic bowl, avoiding my gaze.

“Not much on Friday. We went over to…uh, Sophie’s with everyone on Saturday.”

“Cool.” I meant it. I literally did not care. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for class.”

When I got out of the shower, I found a text from Chase waiting for me, and my mood instantly lifted.

Chase: You know what you need?

Bailey: I’m afraid to ask.

Chase: A makeup birthday. Like a do-over.

Bailey: If only.

Chase: Oh, it’s happening. Let’s do something this week. Dinner. Anything you want.

Bailey: But it’s not your fault Luke is an ass.

Chase: It’s not yours, either.

Chase: Maybe I want an excuse to take you out before I’m away for hockey all weekend.

Bailey: Sure, I’d love to.

Chase: Great. I’ll even throw in an autographed picture of me as a belated birthday gift.

Bailey: I’m a lucky girl.

Chase: I know, right?

* * *

After Amelia’s weird half-interrogation Monday morning, I knew my living situation needed to change, and I couldn’t wait until next year to live with Noelle and Zara.

After all, how could I live somewhere Chase wasn’t even welcome? Heck, I didn’t feel welcome myself.

Random roommates were out of the question, so I combed the rental ads. A one-bedroom was out of my budget, but maybe I could swing a studio—or maybe I was being delusional, based on the prices I was seeing. Still, there had to be a way. Even if it wasn’t the nicest place, at least it would be mine.

Late Monday evening, I dropped the bomb on Jillian and Amelia while they were watching TV. They were curled up together on the big couch, sharing snacks and utterly engrossed in a show they were bingeing on Netflix.

I couldn’t tiptoe around it any longer. The elephant in the room was taking up more space by the day.

Heart pounding, I lingered in the living room doorway. There was a tiny pang in my gut. A month or two ago, I would have been in there hanging out with them. Now I could barely bring myself to enter the room.

When they didn’t immediately notice my presence, I rapped on the doorframe to get their attention and drew in a deep breath.

I hated confrontation. Especially when it was two on one.

“Hey,” Amelia said. “What’s up?”

I cleared my throat. “Um, so…I’m thinking of breaking the lease,” I said. “Actually, no. I’m planning to. In the near future.”