I was lying on Chani’s bed while she was working on some homework. Mind you, I have plenty of homework to do, but I was too distraught to focus right now.

“So, what’s wrong, Mali?” Chani glanced over at me.

I was holding one of her Squishmallows to my chest. That, mixed with the lying down, I felt like I was talking to a psychologist.

“Alice.” I sighed, finally admitting my issue to her.

“Again? What happened this time?” She turned to face me fully.

“We finally hung out and got some dinner last night, and she told me where she has been recently. She’s been hanging out with a sorority. That’s where she’s been this whole time without saying anything. She doesn't even come to the dorm room anymore.”

“Mali.” Chani stated softly. “Just let her go. She’s not even been a good friend to you.”

“I can’t just do that. I still love her. As--as a friend, at least.”

“Then keep her at arm’s length. For your own sanity.”

I took a deep breath, before sighing. “You’re probably right.”

“Probably?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Fine, fine. You’re right.” I conceded.

“In better news, fall break will be here before we know it. What’re your plans?”

“I don’t have any.” I shook my head. “I was just going to stay here. Maybe finally play some games.”

“I’ll have to ask my parents, and they might lecture me about not spending Thanksgiving with them, but…we have a cabin up in Leadville, in the mountains. We could always go up there and spend the week by ourselves. If you want to, of course.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun!”

“Great. I’ll talk to my parents about it then.” Chani smiled. Instantly, I was looking forward to this. Partially because I was excited to go to a cabin but also because I looked forward to being alone with Chani.

My phone vibrated, alerting me to a new text from Alice. She asked me to go out with her and some of her new friends to a club. Not wanting to be ditched like last time, I made sure to ask if I could bring Chani along. Alice had to make a comment, asking me if we were best friends now, but thankfully said it was fine if she came. We agreed to go get our nails done tomorrow before we went to the club too, so I was happy to have her back in my life, even if it was only for a little while.

After Alice and I arranged plans, I asked Chani if she wanted to come. She said she was willing, as long as I’d help her pick an outfit out. Rather than doing our homework, we spent the next hour picking outfits out, finally narrowing it down to the winner. I decided to just wear the dress Alice had bought me back home. We got to work on our homework after that, thankfully, since I had quite a bit to do, and I had a call with Arthur tonight. He wanted to chat with me, and we decided a phone call was the easiest way.

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We finished the homework, and I headed back into my room to take Arthur's call. We chatted for a while, talking about this and that. I mentioned Chani and my plans to go up to her family’s cabin for the fall break. He wished me good luck and said he needed some, too, as he was going to be visiting his kids and ex for the holiday. I sympathized and said I wouldn’t want to switch positions, to which he laughed.

I then told him about our plan to go to the club this weekend and some of my issues with Alice. He offered to buy us a hotel room to make the day more special. I immediately rejected the idea, but he eventually coaxed me into it, saying it’d be a fun night for all of us girls.

Eventually, both of us got tired and said goodnight. I ended up being too tired to do my night routine, which happens more than I’d like to admit, going straight to bed.

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After classes, Alice and I met up in the dorm room and drove to a nearby salon to get our nails done. I told her about Arthur’s plan to get us the hotel room for the night to make the night special.

“What’s the damage?” Alice asked, looking over at me.

I glanced over at the lady who was doing my nails, before talking again. “He, uh, asked me to strip for him. I--I don’t mind, but he also said that I don’t have to strip fully since we haven’t gone there yet. I’ve only sent him lingerie pictures.”

“Not so innocent anymore, are you?” Alice smirked, looking me up and down. “Good for you. I’m proud.”

“It’s not like anything has changed.” I looked down at the table.

“That’s not true. I heard about your little kiss at the party too. You’re really growing up.” She nudged me gently. I know she meant it as a good thing, but it didn’t make me feel any better.

“Who told you?”

“One of my girlfriends.” After sitting in silence for a bit, she tilted my chin up, forcing me to look in her direction. “Don’t be so embarrassed, Mali.” She pouted.

“I’m not embarrassed.” I shook my head. “I just don’t want you to think I’m changing or anything. I’m still the same girl; things are just different in my life.” I shrugged slightly.

“Sensitive, much?” She rolled her eyes.

I shrunk down in my seat slightly. We sat in silence until I finally spoke up. “I wanna get my rook pierced while we’re out. If you’re okay with that.”

“Sure.” She shrugged.

“Okay.” I nodded weakly. The rest of the appointment turned out to be mostly Alice talking at me. She didn’t seem phased by our little disagreement, but I couldn’t be the same. After getting my piercing, she asked to get dinner together.

We went to a nearby ramen place.

“So, tell me the tea. Are you two dating?”

“Oh, you mean Chani?” I looked up from my bowl in surprise.

“Who else?”

“No, not yet. I’m…not sure how she’d feel about Arthur and me if we were.”

“She’d probably not be okay with it.” Alice shrugged casually. I hoped that if Chani and I continued to grow closer that we could work that out. “Are you two just friends for now? Friends with benefits?”

“Just friends. We’ve kissed a couple times, but nothing more than that.”

“She seems…fine, I guess.”

“You barely even know her.”

“Exactly. She hasn’t made an effort to be my friend.”

“You’ve been busy, Alice…” I didn’t understand her issue. It’s not like she had made any effort to befriend Chani either; she’s been too busy buddying up with the sorority girls.

“Anyways.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “I’ve been talking to some sugar daddies myself. I’ve made over four grand already just sending them nudes.”

“Wow, Alice.” My eyes widened. “How many are you talking to?”

“Like five.” She shrugged, before pouting. “None of them seem to care about me as much as your Arthur does.”

“Well, it seems like we’re building more of a relationship than anything.”

“And I’m not?” She scowled slightly, only enough to show her anger.

“I didn’t say that. I’m just saying…” I trialed off. “Maybe I’m just lucky.” I finally settled, not wanting to continue to argue with her. I’m not sure why, but she seemed combative today.

We finished our meals, and after driving me to campus, we split ways. Admittedly I was thankful to get away from her. I’m not saying Alice is the nicest person out there, but at least most of the time, she doesn’t direct it toward me, but today that didn’t seem to apply. I wanted to talk to Chani, to get her opinion, but I was too tired and decided to just head off to bed. All I could do was pray that tomorrow night would go better.

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