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“Why?” Kim asks suspiciously.

“You know,” Maya says, pointing a fork at Kim, who eyes it like it’s a Class 3 weapon. “I haven’t had the chance to tell you this, but your hair is beautiful.”

Kim looks gobsmacked. “Why?”

“Maya,” I hiss, giving my head a tiny shake. “The thing is, Maya and I think we got off on the wrong foot. And we spoke last night, and worked some things out, and now we want to start fresh.”

Maya nods frantically. “Yup. That. You’re all so great, I would really, really love to get to know all of you and be friends. I bet you all have the most interesting stories about Jordy.”

I make a cutting motion by my neck, and Maya glares at me. Meanwhile, Francesca and Kim glance at each other.

“So, it’s an intelligence-gathering mission,” Francesca whispers.

“Know thy enemy,” Kim whispers back.

“I… I can hear you,” Maya says, but Francesca holds up a hand to silence her.

“Do we trust her?” Kim asks.

“Not for a second. Act normal.”

Maya looks helplessly at me, before Kim and Francesca straighten back up.

“Pasta’s great, thanks for asking,” Francesca says.

“Lovely day outside,” Kim adds.

Maya gives them a tight smile and eats the rest of her sandwich in relative silence. Ididtell her not to compliment them under any circumstances, butno.Why don’t people ever believe me when I tell them the best way to make friends is to open up as little as possible and never show signs of weakness?

After we’ve all stacked our stuff in the dishwasher, Kim, Lauren, and Francesca physically yank me backward to stay behind as Maya and Perrie leave.

“What’s going on?” Kim asks.

“What does she have on you?” Francesca asks.

“It is a little strange that she’s being so nice, don’t you think?” Lauren says.

I shake my head and untangle myself from their grips. “Like I said. We worked things out. She’s actually fine, when you get to know her.”

The three of them exchange loaded glances.

“So, shehasgot something on you,” Francesca says.

“Nope.”

“That’s exactly what a blackmail victim would say,” Francesca says darkly.

“Please,” I say. “Can we just lower the drama? I, for one,want to have a good time as long as I’m here. If I’m happy to be friends with Maya, can’t you just trust me?”

The three of them nod with varying levels of enthusiasm. The moment I turn to leave the room, however, Francesca whispers to Kim again. “Wait until she falls asleep, then we interrogate Maya by candlelight.”

“Don’t even think about it,” I say without turning around.

Nobody replies.

FIFTEENMaya

The morning of our first challenge date with Jordy, Skye wakes me up by blaring “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” through her speakers.