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For whatever reason, I’m still in the game.

And I intend to use my second chance for everything it’s worth.

THIRTEENSkye

I keep to myself as we head back up to the manor. This wrench in the works changes everything. Not only does it mean Maya will be here for another week, it means I’m rusty in my ability to predict what Jordy’s going to do. Aka, for all I know, Maya could be here for weeks yet. Sleeping below me. Eating with me. Day in, day out.

I wait until we reach the room and close the door to tell Maya I want to talk to her.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you,” she says, but she doesn’t have much of a choice, because where is she going to go?

“Too bad. I do,” I say, folding my arms and leaning against the bunk bed ladder. “We’re going to be stuck together now, you know.”

“What, were you hoping I’d get sent home nice and early?” Maya snaps. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Well, yes. But that’s not the point anymore. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“Imeanthat you’ve obviously got a problem with me. And I’m proposing you try to get over it.”

Maya gapes at me. “Excuse me?”

I throw my hands up. “So, I dated Jordy after you. Who cares? He was always going to meet someone else eventually. And I’m sorry, but holding this grudge for almost two years, and telling people he was your boyfriend at the time, and treating me terribly from minute one is… Come on, Maya, it’s pathetic. The whole ‘jealous ex-girlfriend’ thing is such a cliché.”

Maya looks horrified, and I brace myself for either defensiveness or an outright counterattack.

“You think I don’t like you because I’m jealous of you?” she asks finally.

“… Yes? Why, is there another reason?”

She doesn’t want to share her room? She hates my face? She hates… Canadians?

“Uh,yes,” she says. “How about the obvious one? You dated myboyfriendwhile he wasstillmyboyfriend,then youstole him from me.Ring a bell?”

“Maya, honestly. Do you actually, truly believe that? I’m asking in good faith.”

“I don’tbelieveit, Skye. It’s the truth. And did you actually, truly not have any idea he was with me when he started seeing you?”

I throw up my hands. “I’m not lying. Although, maybe we should talk about that some more. Lauren mentioned you and Jordy might have been under different impressions by accident.”

Maya studies me, long and slow. “You know,” she says finally, sitting heavily on the edge of her bed with a squeak of springs, “I believe you. I think you didn’t know Jordy was taken.”

“So, we’re not exploring the miscommunication idea?”

“But,” she powers through, “you are not off the hook. You keep calling me a liar. You’re helping Jordy convince everyoneI’m making up my own worst experience because I’m jealous and petty.”

“Well, it’s not like you made a good impression on me,” I snap. “Why would I have taken your side?”

“It’s not my job to start us off on the right foot. I’m the one who was screwed over here.”

“But youjust saidyou believe I didn’t know what you think happened, so, which is it, Maya? Did I screw you over, or am I an unwitting participant?”

We face each other down. Maya’s expression changes several times in as many seconds. Checkmate.

“I…” she tries, before clearing her throat and speaking in a defeated tone. “I want you to believe me.”

“I believe you think you were together,” I say. “I don’t think you’re making it up to make me look bad.”