Hard.

No one can tell Charlotte that she should fall in love with her friend, just like no one can tell me not to fall in love with Aiden.

“I just . . . I don’t get it.” Charlotte finishes the rest of her drink. “He told me he loves me, but all through high school he’s been out with other girls, sleeping around. Not that I’m judging him or the girls, but if he was in love with me the whole time, why didn’t he just tell me? If he really cared about me like that wouldn’t his actions reflect that? Wouldn’t he tell the person he was closest to instead of sleeping around? How could he possibly love me if he’s always with other girls?”

I know why Chase didn’t tell her but that doesn’t mean I agree with his reasoning. “What if he was scared you didn’t feel the same way and that would ruin your friendship?”

“That’s stupid. I’m not a mind reader. What if I did like him back?”

“Do you?”

She studies her empty drink. “I need a refill. Kitchen?”

I follow her through the hallway to grab another drink. We pass a couple of rooms on the way, and in one of them is Chase, making out with Aliyah from our chemistry class.

Charlotte looks at me and raises an eyebrow, as if to say See?

The kitchen isn’t as packed as the rest of the house, which is odd, because this is where to find the booze. Charlotte and I put our cups on the counter and fill them with our preferred liquors and juices, making small talk with the people already in the kitchen.

As we’re about to leave, two girls come into the room, and they catch my attention because they’re talking about Annalisa. I stop Charlotte and we stand in the corner of the kitchen, casually eavesdropping.

“Did you see how hot Julian looks tonight?”

“He always looks hot, Becki. I’m going to go talk to him later; work my magic.” She winks at her friend and they both giggle.

“Oh wait.” The excitement drains off Becki’s face. “He’s still with that girl. Anna.”

“Ugh.” The friend sighs. “I’ll probably still talk to him anyway. Maybe change his mind.”

“No, Sara. He’s dating the Anna. You know? The one everyone’s talking about,” Becki emphasizes.

Everyone’s talking about Annalisa? Charlotte looks just as confused as I am.

This apparently means something to Sara, because her eyes widen and her face turns solemn. “Wacko Anna White is Julian’s girlfriend?”

Wacko Anna White?!

“Yeah, the one who told Kaitlyn she’d put her in the hospital if she even breathed in Julian’s direction, for no reason at all. Like, Kaitlyn was just in the hall with Makayla Monday morning, minding her own business, and Anna went off on her. She had to be restrained!”

What?!

There is so much wrong with that statement it’s not even funny. First of all, when has Kaitlyn ever minded her own business?