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“Could I have some specifics, please?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think she’d come on the show. I really didn’t want her here, but the producers insisted, because the show needs drama. And Maya is big on drama. That, and I’m worried she’s going to have it out for you.”

“Me?” I echo. “I’ve never even met her.”

“Yup. It’s… argh, hard to explain. There’s history. Actually, there’s a lot of stuff I didn’t tell you at the time, because I didn’t want to freak you out when I didn’t need to. But when you and I started dating, she practically stalked me for a while.”

“What? What happened?”

Jordy’s tone is wry. “Have you ever had someone say no when you broke up with them?”

“Can’t say I have. I didn’t know it was an option.”

“It’s not an option for people like you and me. For people like Maya, though…”

“She didn’t take the breakup well,” I fill in.

“The breakup itself she took surprisingly well, but inhindsight, I think it’s because she was in some serious denial about it. It was when she found out you and I were dating that things got ugly. I don’t want to worry you, but she actually got a bit threatening. She brought you up a few times. And, you know me, I’d never… do anything to hurt a girl, you know? But I got pretty defensive when she brought you up, and I made it pretty clear that she and I would not be on good terms if she contacted you. So, instead, she took it out on me. Spread rumors about me, called me a cheater, called me emotionally abusive, all kinds of stuff. It was a lot.”

“And I’m only hearing about this now?”

Jordy sighs. “I know. Iknow.But you and I were so new at the time. I didn’t want to worry you, but I also didn’t want you to decide I was too much trouble. I hoped it’d go away, and eventually, it did. She never reached out to you, did she?”

“No…”

“Exactly. But now youdoneed to know. And, Skye, honestly, I’m probably being paranoid. I haven’t seen Maya for two years. I can’t imagine she’d still be after us. But on the off chance she is, and she starts shit for the cameras, I want you to be prepared.”

“Yeah, thank you so much for the one-hour warning, Jordy.”

“Like I said, I didn’t think she’d come. I swear, Skye. I only just found out she’s confirmed. I think the producers kept it from me because they knew I wasn’t comfortable with her coming. For your sake, more than mine. I can handle anything she throws at me. But I don’t know what I’ll do if she comes for you. And now I’m saying that out loud, I’m realizing maybe that’s what the producers want. Drama. But… yeah, you’re my sore spot. Can’t change that, can I?”

I don’t let myself dwell in the happy buzz his words giveme. “What would she even do, though?” I ask. “There will be cameras on us all the time.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried she’ll use. She’s angry, and she’s manipulative. She can make the most far-fetched story sound like the truth. Sometimes she even made me question myself, when Iknewwhat happened. You can’t let her mess with your version of reality, okay? You know what you are, and who you are. Don’t let her convince you otherwise. If you stand your ground, she won’t be able to twist things for the cameras.”

I draw my brows together. “You’re scaring me a little.”

“No, no, Skye, don’t worry. You and I won’t let any bullshit go down.Iwon’t let it. If she starts anything with you, you come right to me. They can’t do a show without me, so they have to play by my rules, and my number one rule is, Skye is off-limits.”

The knot forming in my gut loosens a little. “You’re probably right,” I say. “About her moving on. Who holds a grudge like that for two years?”

“Exactly. I’m sure you’ll get there and wonder what I was talking about. She’s probably matured a ton.”

Surely. Surely that’s the case. The only thing is, Jordy doesn’t sound entirely convinced.

What on earth did this Maya girl do to him?

After we say our goodbyes, I scoop up my bag again and finally step onto the escalator, my head swirling with Jordy’s warning.

A short man with warm brown skin and black hair tied in a bun is standing at the bottom holding a white sign withSKYE KAPLANwritten on it in all-capitals. He catches my eye, and his bored expression lights up.

This is really happening, isn’t it? I’ve gone from sleeping in hostel rooms of eight and sprinting for buses and trainsloaded up like a packhorse to being a Very Important Person in one fell swoop. It’s a good thing I’m not easy to buy, or it might occur to me to try to win this show, if only for the upgrade in living standards.

As it is, I’m becoming more and more grateful by the second to past-Skye for signing up for this, because I’ve just remembered I’ll be sleeping in my own room tonight. No snoring, no one barging in drunk at three a.m., no changing clothes in a tiny bathroom stall.

And all I had to do was sell my soul to reality television. It’s the best deal with the devil I’ve ever made.

Okay,I say to myself.Remember.Halfor hello,aureneinfor goodbye,safor yes,niefor no…