Brazen Tricks - Ali Dean Page 0,17
want to have a bad rep or a bad relationship with Brazen.”
Fliss must take this as permission to voice her opinion as well. “In case you haven’t noticed, your boyfriend and his crew are the hottest people around, even if they’re in Jay Beach now. Everyone wants a connection to them. They’re big and only getting bigger. If word gets out about us being kicked out and shunned by them? We’ll ruin our sorority.”
“Maybe even get kicked out of the sorority,” Daisy adds. “Well, you two might,” she clarifies.
“What are you guys asking of me exactly? You want me to vouch for you or something?” On what basis would I do that anyway? “Everyone’s formed their opinions without my influence. I know you think I’ve brainwashed them.” Isn’t that the word Sydney used? “But I haven’t weighed in at all really.”
Fliss and Syd share a brief glance that shows their skepticism, but they don’t voice it. “We have a proposition for you,” Syd declares, and now I’m really bracing myself. Here we go.
“We want to help you find the person behind the account who harassed you and stalked Griffin.”
“We already brought it to the cops,” I share, looking at Fliss for a reaction. She only appears curious. “You can’t just ask Instagram to provide private info about its users. There’s not really anything we can do. Besides, I’m not getting harassed anymore and as far as I know, Griff isn’t being stalked by anyone.” I haven’t asked him recently, and maybe I should. My social media accounts haven’t had anything like the kind of messages and comments I experienced last fall.
“Weren’t there two accounts that really threatened you?” Syd pushes. “What happened to the other one that you aren’t accusing Fliss of running?”
“Nothing. There’s been nothing from it for a long time.”
“Well, we can dig there too.”
This conversation is making me tired and I’m ready to get back to the condo. It’s Thursday afternoon, and if I tackle my homework right away, I can head to Jay Beach later for the rest of the weekend.
“I’m not sure what you mean by digging. I’m still not real sure what you want from me.” I let the impatience into my tone, hoping they’ll get to their point, if they have one.
“If we find these people,” Fliss says, “we want an apology and acceptance with your group. Not just your roommates but your boyfriend’s group too.”
“We don’t even need an apology,” Daisy jumps in. When Syd lets out a little growl, Daisy rolls her eyes. “Well, I don’t. But we don’t want all of you against us and the sorority.”
“Not just that,” Sydney pushes. “We want to be friends with all of you. Or at least friendly enough. Maybe we aren’t fighting right now, but with the way my former best friends straight up ignore me or glare at me, it’s far from friendly.”
I’m still not sure why they’re asking this of me specifically. I’ve also got no clue what the point is, or how they plan on “digging” for this information.
“Look, without any recent activity from the accounts, it’s not a big problem for any of us.” This is only partly true. I know Beck and I would both sleep easier if we knew who they were, even if it turned out to be total strangers. It’d put it to rest, keep us from wondering. “But if you want to try to play detective and find some proof so we don’t keep thinking it’s Fliss, I’m not going to stop you.”
“And if we do?” Fliss asks.
I shrug. “I’ll be appreciative. We’ll all appreciate it. I can’t speak for everyone else though.”
Sydney’s jaw clenches when I don’t respond the way she’s hoping. “I can’t believe all three of my childhood friends are in relationships now,” she says, and I do take a little pity on her when I hear some genuine sadness. “So much has changed.”
Wait, all three? “Zora’s still single.”
Sydney smirks. “You don’t have to hide her new relationship from me. I already know about it. I’ve even seen them together.”
What is she talking about? I want to ask, but I also feel like I should know this. I’m not sure I want to let on that Syd is more aware of what’s happening with Zora than I am. “I’m not hiding anything from you,” I say instead, hoping she’ll tell me more. It works.
“Zora’s had her flings with girls. Said she was experimenting and having fun. Good for her finally coming