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Didn’t he go to a British school? That’s what I read. It’s normal to have an accent at an international school, not everything is about America. American accents aren’t the default!

I didn’t know much about Jordy, because I’m not a fan of the royals. My friend saw this post and got upset, though, and it’s inspired me to learn more about him, and all the wonderful things he does for humanity. I’ve decided I’m going to do a feature on him for my online magazine so more people can learn about how great he is. Thank you, anonymous hater, you’ve made a new Jordy Miller fan out of me!

I see red.

“Has anyone commented on your post?” Skye asks, obviously noticing the light.

“Um, not really. Nothing interesting.”

“Oh. Damn. Maybe the forum’s not very popular.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” I take a deep breath, and try to shove the fury down. To distract myself, I go into my messages. There’s a new one from Mom, telling me she’s made everyone at work watch both episodes, and they all think I’m stunning and out of Jordy’s league. Oh, and they’resoimpressed I’m going to be a doctor one day. A message from Rosie that I read while Skye was on her date, asking me how long I’ve been a secret Olympic-level kayaker without telling her. And one from earlier today, Olivia telling me she was going to watch the next episode with some friends later on in her evening, which probably means she hasn’t started it yet.

By the time I reply to everyone—and message Rosie, who happens to be around, for a bit—I’m sure Skye must be fast asleep. Still, after I creep to the drawer to tuck the iPad away and return to bed, I whisper, “Night, Skye.”

Her response is instant and hushed. “Good night, Maya.”

NINETEENMaya

The next evening, I wait by the driveway with two cameras in my face and Isaac and Gwendolyn hovering nearby, dressed for the hike in yoga pants and sneakers, replaying Skye’s instructions from the night before. Don’t act interested, huh? If that’s all I have to do, I’ve got this win in the bag.

Then, I think of Skye the night before in general. How easy it was to talk to her. How her hair looked in the moonlight.

How, for a split second, I thought maybe she was going to kiss me. Talk about reading into shit too much. Like, two girls can tell each other they like girls without immediately making out, right? Obviously.

I’m just glad I didn’t lean in or anything horrendously humiliating like that. Luckily for me, Skye will never need to know the thought that crossed my mind last night.

And while I was falling asleep.

And the moment I woke up this morning.

When Jordy gets out of the car, he takes one look at me and screws up his face. “You’re wearingthat?” he asks.

“Uh, yeah?” I say, stepping back with a confused look. “And you’re wearing… that?”

“That” being a pristine pair of Nike high-tops, jeans, anda Dolce & Gabbana button-down with the sleeves rolled up. I know it’s Dolce & Gabbana, because he’s carefully chosen one with the brand name repeated along the piping. I’m surprised he’s wearing a shirt at all—I would’ve thought a hike was the perfect excuse to bring the abs out to smile for the cameras.

Okay, Jordy’s a bit vacant, but even he knows not to wear a dress shirt on a workout.

“Hey,” Isaac says to Jordy. “How about you get back in the car and we reshoot that?” Then he whispers something in Jordy’s ear, likethat’snot going to make me suspicious, and Jordy smacks a hand to his forehead before jumping back in the car and climbing back out.

“Hey, Maya,” he says, pulling me into a hug. “You look great. What a perfect hiking outfit!”

“Uh, thank you, Jordy. I’m so excited for the hike I definitely still believe we’re going on.”

“Did you tell her?” Gwendolyn whispers furiously to Isaac. He shakes his head, then leans in to me.

“Hey, so, obviously you’re not going on a hike,” he says.

“Wait, I’mnot?”

“Yes, perfect, that. Can you maintain that surprise? For the cameras? We spent a lot of money on this scene.”

“Maybe. First, just tell me this: Are you taking me to a room full of puppies?”

Isaac hesitates, and for a second I’m hopeful. “No. We’re not doing that.”

I sigh so loudly it scrapes at my throat. “Maybe a future episode idea?”