As I drive away, she laughs. It’s not a maniacal or malicious laugh either like I’m used to. It’s a laugh I’ve never heard from her before. A laugh of genuine relief and excitement.

“I feel so good right now! I can’t wait until I file a police report and charge him for assaulting me. Do you think he’ll cry? I think he’ll cry.”

I toss my hat and sunglasses into the backseat, the adrenaline from what we just pulled not wearing off. The energy between us makes me feel alive, excited for what’s to come. “That was awesome. You were great!”

“Well, duh. I’m great at everything.” She laughs, then pauses for a second. “This still doesn’t mean we’re friends. We’re not. I literally never want to see your face again after today.”

I’m so hopped up on adrenaline her harsh words can’t even ruin my mood. Besides, her tone wasn’t that of malevolence, one that she’s used on me countless times before. While still firm and unwavering, it lacked that special punch that Kaitlyn packs into all her insults.

“After you clear Anna’s name and get her to come back to King, I’m fine with never seeing you again too.”

There are some people in life who will just never like you, and that’s okay. You can’t be everyone’s best friend, and Kaitlyn and I will never be friends. But I’m okay knowing that Kaitlyn is out there, disliking me but not my complete enemy anymore.

25

After I drop Kaitlyn off at her car, I call Aiden on Bluetooth.

Since Kaitlyn announced it herself to all of Sweetie’s, I was given permission to tell my friends about what we were up to. I would’ve told them some version of the story anyway, but at least now I won’t feel bad withholding the whole truth from them, even though I really don’t owe Kaitlyn my loyalty, no matter how much we bonded today.

Aiden picks up right away, and his deep voice fills the car, the mere sound of it adding to the joviality in the air. I briefly explain to him what I was up to after school, and he sighs. “I’m proud of you, but I wish you would’ve told me. I could’ve helped. What if something went wrong?”

“Would you have let me go alone if I told you?”

He pauses. “Fine. I’m just glad it all worked out. You love scheming, huh? You’re good at it.”

He laughs, and I join him. “I would think I was a secret agent in a past life or something, but I’m a terrible improv actor.”

There’s noise of people talking in the background, and it gets quieter as I assume Aiden leaves the room. “We’re all at my house right now since we wanted dinner after the bar. Want to come and tell them the good news yourself? We could use some.”

Checking my rearview mirror, I change direction on the road and head for Aiden’s house instead of home. “Why, what happened at Greg’s bar?”