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‘No, Anissa, I –’Rumbled, but not quite. I feel truly, properly heinous for having used her at all – even if it backfired wildly, and even if I do genuinely like spending time with her. More sincerely, I tell her, ‘I’m sad we didn’t get to hang out more, too. Honestly, I thought you and Max would get on really well. I’m sorry.’

‘Maybe …’ she starts, and then falls quiet, never finishing her sentence.

I try to finish it for her. I don’t know her like I do Jake, but I think I’m starting to. I know I’d like to. ‘Maybe we could hang out again soon? Outside of school or the Discord chat, I mean, and without boys getting in the way.’

‘Yeah.’ I can hear the grin in her voice. ‘I’d like that.’

GIRLIE POPS!

Nikita

@Cerys we are on TENTERHOOKS girl, how did the party go????

Chloe

DID YOU GUYS KISS?

Me

The party was okay, no kiss with Jake though. Nothing to report sorry gang

Evie

Oh boooo! That sucks babe

Nikita

But it was so promising! Did he get too drunk?

Chloe

Maybe he didn’t know how to get a moment alone with you to make a move, and it was just too intimidating with everyone else there?

Evie

That’s gotta be it!

Nikita

I see you reading these messages @Daphne, any thoughts/sorrows/prayers for poor Cerys over here?

Me

It’s okay, the whole thing was just a bust. I’d rather not talk about it tbh

Daphne

Kind of busy right now sorry. Will catch up later

Evie

Our resident yappers going quiet? I never thought I’d see the day!

Chloe

Okay well we can just catch up at Costa this week? Morning debrief?

Me