Page 65 of Palm South University: Season 3

Jess claps her hands together. “Plus, Friendsgiving! It’s going to be so much fun. Erin, you’re still getting the turkey, right?”

“Picking it up that morning from the place my mom ordered from. She said they’re the best in town.”

“Maybe Bear will actually talk to me then,” Skyler says on a sigh. “You know, being that the holiday spirit will be flowing and all.”

Erin and Jess both frown, all of us eyeing each other as Skyler keeps her gaze on her nails.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I try, knowing it’s probably useless. She hasn’t told any of us the details of why Clinton is suddenly acting like she is dead to him, which likely means it’s something personal, something only the two of them need to know.

She shakes her head. “Not tonight. I’d rather talk about happy stuff, like this awesome trip you’re taking for your internship. Jess, feed me popcorn, my nails are still wet,” she adds and Jess laughs, obliging as everyone’s attention turns to me.

“It’s not a big deal, really. It’s just this award banquet thing and Mr. Church will be giving a keynote speech. There’s a conference, too, but nothing special.”

“Lies,” Jess says, popping another popcorn puff into Skyler’s mouth. “Stop selling yourself short. You said this is the first time he’s ever invited anyone else to attend with him, and you’re anintern, Lei.”

“Oh, my God,” Skyler says around a mouthful. “Is he the smoking hot guy who dropped ten thousand bucks on you at the Alpha Sigma concert auction? I saw him pick you up a few weeks ago.”

“You didn’t tell me he bid on you.” Jess narrows her eyes.

“He was just doing it for the charity, guys. He’s a philanthropic man.”

Skyler laughs. “Mmm-hmm. Is he a God-fearing man, too? Because Lord, take me to church.” She fans herself while Erin cracks up.

“You’re shameless, Skyler.”

Jess ignores Erin’s comment, typing away on her phone. “Oh, my God, I just Googled him. Holy shit, Lei! Why didn’t you tell me how fucking hot this guy is?!”

Erin and Skyler gather around her phone while I bury my face in my hands. “Because I’m trying my hardestnotto notice how bangable my CEO is.”

“Yeah,” Erin scoffs. “Good luck with that.”

They all giggle at my misfortune and I just shake my head, eventually giving in and laughing, too. “I’m screwed, huh?”

“Yup,” they all agree in sync, Jess tossing popcorn at me while we all laugh even harder. It’s like coming home to a warm fire and hot chocolate after walking through the snow, having a girls’ night with my three best friends. I’m reminded that no matter what happens to any of us, we always have each other, and that’s a pretty amazing thing.

We go through three movies, three bottles of wine, and at least three-thousand calories in salty snacks and chocolate by the time the night is over. Erin is the first to pass out, followed closely by Jess and Skyler, the three of them sleeping with pillows propped up against legs and shoulders in a sort of cuddle pit on the floor. Empty snack wrappers litter the space around them, only the soft glow from the television illuminating their peaceful faces.

I smile, pulling out my phone and snapping a picture of them before uploading it to social media with the caption, “Love my girls. #GNI.” Then, I adjust my pillow against Erin’s back and curl up, too.