Friend Zone

  Throwing her coat on the bed, she searched her bedroom for something that would help distract her. Haley sat at her desk, stabbed the “on” button of her laptop, and opened a blank C++ page. Programming always calmed her, but today it was life or death. It’d keep her from bursting into Madison’s room to drag the bastard out by his hair.

  With one hand clenched on the mouse and the other drumming on the wooden desk, Haley tried to focus on the program. The blinking cursor teased her, waiting to be moved, making her brain feel as empty as the blank page. David’s smug smirk kept appearing in her mind’s eye, erasing everything else. She couldn’t remember the simplest input command. When squealing giggles echoed in the adjoining room, Haley’s concentration failed, and her mood blackened even more. This David situation was not working for her; she had to do something to stop him.

  ***

  Haley remained in her room until she was sure that both David and Madison had left the apartment. Not that it did her any good. She hadn’t accomplished anything the entire morning and was still fuming from her short encounter with David. When it seemed safe to come out, Haley tiptoed into the living room, still wary of her own house. Alice was sitting at the dining table doing homework.

  Haley strolled toward her. “We need to talk.”

  “Hey.” Alice lifted her head from her chemistry book. “I didn’t know you were home.”

  Haley sat in the chair opposite to her. “Did you know who else was here?”

  “Yeah.”

  From her tone, Alice didn’t seem too happy either.

  “How did it happen?” Haley asked.

  Alice dropped her pen and closed her book, resting her elbows on it. “After you left with Scott, I went home with Peter. Madison told me she was having fun, and that she was staying. I didn’t know that it was David providing the entertainment and charming his way to her bedroom.”

  “What do you think about it?” Haley asked.

  Alice leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “What do you think? You seem to have a definite opinion on the subject.”

  Haley lowered her gaze and bit her bottom lip. She was ashamed of her train of thought.

  “Come on,” Alice encouraged. “Spit it out.”

  Haley scrunched her face. “Promise you won’t judge me?”

  “Why would I?”

  “What I am about to say is horrible, and you might think I’m a presumptuous bitch.”

  Alice smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure I won’t.”

  “Okay.” Haley inhaled, and prepared to say the unsayable all in one breath without pausing. “I think David is sleeping with Madison only because he wants to mess with me to make me jealous. I’m not saying Madison is not likable or anything; she’s absolutely likable. I just don’t think he likes her. Am I the most arrogant person in the world and the worst friend ever for thinking that?”

  Alice shook her head. “No. Unfortunately, I agree with you. I don’t like David. Something about him is off, and he’s taking advantage of Madison. But I’m not sure why.”

  “Do we tell her?”

  “NO!” Alice shouted. “Never. You can never say anything about it to Madison.”

  Haley had not expected a reaction so strong. “Whoa, relax. Why can’t we talk to her?”

  “I’m sorry for yelling at you,” Alice apologized. “It’s just that Madison is already so insecure around guys. We can’t put more doubts in her head. She looked so happy this morning.”

  Haley felt like gagging. “I’m glad I didn’t see that.” David’s behavior was literally making her stomach ache. “So what do we do? We tell the guys to do an intervention on his side?”

  “Why?” Alice asked skeptically. “You think he would listen?”

  “No, probably not.”

  “And I wouldn’t put it past him to tell Madison.”

  “You’re right…” Haley suppressed a frustrated scream. “We can’t sit here and watch him play with Madison’s heart. So?”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s exactly what we do: nothing.”

  “Nothing? How can—”

  “Haley,” Alice interrupted. “I know you’re worried. I am, too. But if we try to do something, anything at all, we’d be playing his game. He’d use it to hurt Madison or you, try to get between you two. Ignore David long enough and you’ll be calling his bluff.”

  “I hate sitting here doing nothing!”

  “I know.” Alice reached across the table to grab her hand. “But it’s the right thing to do.”

  “I hate him.” Haley squeezed her friend’s hand. “I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, but now…” She shook her head. “I hate him.”

  “It’s hard to think he’s Scott’s brother.”

  “Yeah, right? Now Hawaii makes a lot more sense. Imagine having to put up with him your entire life.”

  “Poor Scott,” Alice agreed.

  “Let’s talk about something else.” Haley let go of Alice’s hand to pull one foot up on the chair and hug a knee to her chest. “Is everything all right with you and Peter? You’ve seemed off lately.”

  A dark shadow crossed Alice’s face. “Wrong topic.”

  “Okay. So what was up with Jack last night? He was flirting with all breathing things.”

  Alice’s cheeks heated up. “Even more wrong topic.”

  “Why? You’re not still into him, are you?”

  Alice stared her down. “Haley, I love you, but this is your third strike.”

  “But you’ve been with Peter for how many months now—?”

  “I’m not talking about it, so drop it,” Alice hissed. Then, regaining her cool, she added, “Can we talk about something not boy-related?”

  The two of them stared at each other blankly.

  Alice cracked first, bursting out laughing. “Look at us,” she chuckled. “We’re two promising, bright Harvard students and all we can talk about is guys.”

  “If you want, we can discuss the latest Kardashian drama,” Haley said genially.

  Alice scowled at her, still smirking. “I’d rather not. How about we just do our homework?”

  “Fine!”

  Haley pushed her chair back and went to retrieve her laptop, ready to spend the rest of the day brooding.

  Thirty-one

  Alice

  Haley’s mood did not improve over the next few weeks. Alice kept catching her walk around the house with pursed lips and a morose frown. Madison was at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. She waltzed through the apartment with a happy, distracted air.

  Alice was torn. She was happy Madison was taking a break from her heartache over Scott and Haley. But her dating David was an awful idea. To discuss the issue with Haley was out of the question. Her other roommate wasn’t aware of the full extent of the problem. Haley kept insisting on an intervention whenever the subject came up, which was a no-no. Only two other people knew everyone involved: Peter and Jack. Alice had to open up with one of them or she would go mad. But which one?

  Alice stared at the ceiling of her room, trying to ignore her inner voice which screamed for her to confide in Jack. It was getting harder every day. Her relationship with Peter had been deteriorating ever since spring break. On the outside, everything seemed fine. Deep down, the excitement had worn off and their differences were becoming too evident to be set aside much longer.

  A sudden bang made Alice jolt in her bed, and Blue went running under the bed, squealing in terror. Alice hopped off and tiptoed to her door to check out what was going on outside. Madison and David were standing in the entrance hall kissing.

  Alice cleared her throat. “What’s going on?”

  Madison broke the kiss and David answered, “Darling Haley seems to be in a mood.” He looked smug and self-satisfied.

  Alice narrowed her eyes at him. “I wonder why.”

  David shrugged innocently.

  Madison threw her a questioning look. “Is somet
hing wrong with Haley?”

  “No,” Alice lied. “Have fun, guys. I’ll see you later.” She disappeared back into her room before Madison could ask more questions.

  ***

  “Can we go somewhere private to talk?” Alice asked Jack as they exited their last lecture the next day.

  His mouth gaped open before he asked, “Am I in trouble?”

  “No.” Alice smiled. “Not you.”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “Somewhere no one can overhear us.”

  “Secret stuff, huh?” Jack grinned. “How about the Chem Lab?”

  “We’re not allowed in there.”

  “Neither is anyone else; it’s the perfect place for secret meetings.”

  “All right, but if we get caught and kicked out of school, you get to explain it to my dad. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  They walked down the hall furtively and waited for the hall to be empty before sneaking inside the lab. Alice sat on the teacher’s desk and Jack stood before her with an expectant frown. Glass beakers, vials, and jars of powdered ingredients surrounded them.

  “It’s Madison,” Alice said, and for just a second, she could’ve sworn Jack paled. “She’s sleeping with David.”

  Jack raked his hand through his hair. Was that relief on his face?

  “I assume that’s bad news?” he asked.

  Alice drummed her heels on the desk’s wooden panel. “What do you think?”

  “David’s on the team, but we don’t hang much. He’s a loner.”

  “Exactly my point.”

  “Yeah, but you haven’t dragged me to a secret meeting just to tell me this, right?”

  “No, there’s more,” Alice admitted. “But you have to promise you won’t tell anyone. Deal?”

  Jack made the Boy Scout salute. “Deal.”

  “Madison is secretly in love with Scott.”

  “David’s brother?”

  “Yeah, Haley’s boyfriend, too,” Alice clarified. “Haley doesn’t know, and she can’t find out.”

  “Okay.”

  “But we think—Haley and I, that is—that David is only using Madison to screw with Scott and Haley.”

  Jack scratched his head. “And you concluded this how?”

  “David tried to make a pass at Haley several times; it seems too much of a coincidence for him to date our roommate next.”

  Jack was not convinced. “Why would he do it?”

  “To make Haley jealous.”

  “That would work only if Haley… I mean, is she? Jealous?”

  “She won’t admit it, but I think she is a little.” Alice nodded. “David has a unique way of getting under Haley’s skin.”

  “So his diabolical plan is working.” Jack let out a mocking evil laugh.

  Despite the seriousness of the discussion, Alice chuckled. “Yeah, Haley is brooding half the time. But it’s Madison that’s the real problem.” Alice’s cheeks heated with worry. “She’s so insecure around guys, and she’s only ever dated d-bags. You know, the type who only use her for cheap one-night stands. Madison can’t know David is using her, too. And if he breaks her heart…”

  Jack looked away as if he was embarrassed. Was he self-conscious about treating women poorly? He should be.

  “Is this too much girl talk for you?” Alice asked.

  “No.” He met her eyes again, still wary. “But I don’t see what your point is.”

  “I need advice.” Alice groaned. “What would you do in my place? If Haley and Madison were your friends.”

  Jack thought a while. “Honestly? Nothing,” he said.

  Alice breathed in relief at Jack coming to the same conclusion she had.

  “If David only wants to make Haley jealous,” Jack continued, “and she does nothing, this little act will become boring for him in no time. The best advice I can give you is to tell Haley to act as happy as she can around David, instead of letting him know she’s pissed off.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll do exactly that.” Alice hopped off the desk. “Thanks for listening.”

  Jack pulled her into a hug. She wished she never had to let him go.

  ***

  Back home, Alice tapped on Haley’s door and slipped inside without waiting for permission.

  “Can I talk to you?” she whispered.

  “Why are we whispering?” Haley used the same hushed tones.

  “Because I don’t want Madison to overhear us.”

  Haley beckoned her to the bed where she was already under the covers with her laptop on her knees. “What’s up?” she asked.

  “David.”

  “What did he do?” Haley hissed, making room for Alice on the bed.

  “Nothing.” Alice paused. “Nothing new, I mean.”

  “So?”

  “It’s you.”

  Haley mouthed, “Me?”

  “Yeah, you,” Alice confirmed. “You can’t glower at him every time you see him around the house.”

  “But—”

  “And you can’t disappear into your room and slam the door when you catch them kissing, either.”

  Haley pouted.

  “I know you’re mad.” Alice squeezed her friend’s knee. “But right now you’re right where he wants you, and David knows it.”

  Haley chewed her lower lip. “So what do I do?”

  “When you see them, smile, be pleasant… act as if you don’t care…”

  “But I do care.”

  “Which is why you have to do this.”

  “You’re right. I’ve been an ass.” Haley pursed her lips in a determined expression. “I’ll fake-please the shit out of him.”

  “That’s my girl talking.” Alice stared at her watch. “Gosh, it’s late.” She yawned. “I said my piece, I’ll go.”

  Haley pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for the tough love.”

  “You’re welcome.” Alice got up. “Night.”

  “Night.”

  Alice sneaked out of Haley’s room as silently as she had walked in and tiptoed across the hall. She headed to her room, but changed her mind mid-course and paused in front of Madison’s door. Hell, in for a penny, in for a pound. It was time for a second pep talk.

  Again, Alice gave a soft knock and slunk in, uninvited.

  “Hey, do you have a minute?” she whispered.

  Madison closed a book and looked up at her. “Why are you whispering?”

  Alice made her way to the bed. “I don’t want Haley to overhear us.”

  Deja vù, anyone?

  Madison frowned. “I have a feeling I won’t like the next thing that’s going to come out of your mouth. What is it?”

  Alice decided to cut straight to the chase. “Scott. Why are you dating his brother?”

  “Why not?”

  “Isn’t it weird that one minute you like Scott, and the next you’re dating within the same gene pool?”

  “Scott is with Haley,” Madison replied, annoyed.

  “Yeah, for now.”

  “Are you suggesting I should save myself for Scott in case one day they break up?” Madison sounded bitter.

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “What, then?”

  “I’m just saying that, considering your feelings for Scott, it could be a bad idea to date his brother.” His bastard of a brother, more accurately.

  “I don’t have feelings for Scott.”

  Okay, Madison was in full-blown denial.

  Alice crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow at her friend.

  Madison dropped the book she’d been reading on the nightstand and leaned forward on the bed, reaching for Alice’s hands. “Listen, I had a silly crush on Scott, but that’s over.” Alice wasn’t convinced but let Madison finish, anyway. “Before Haley introduced us, we hadn’t spoken once. He was the cute guy in my class I liked to look at and fantasize about.”

  “So it was ne
ver something serious?” Alice asked, still skeptical.

  “Just a fantasy.”

  “And David? Are you guys serious?”

  “It’s early days.” Madison smiled, and Alice had to master all her self-control not to flinch. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

  “Please be careful, okay?”

  “Why?”

  Alice shrugged. “Scott seems like a good guy, and he hates his brother.”

  “Does that make David a villain?”

  “No, it just puts him on my watch-list.”

  “You’re so scary,” Madison joked.

  Alice lifted her hands, scrunched her face, and let out a terrifying zombie growl.

  Madison chuckled.

  Alice patted the bed. “I’ll let you get back to your book.” She made to get up, but Madison pulled her back onto the bed.

  “Wait a second,” Madison said. “Now it’s time for pep talk number two.”

  Three, actually. Alice was surprised, so she asked, “What did I do?”

  “What’s going on with you and Peter?”

  Alice groaned. “It’s too late to have this conversation.”

  It was Madison’s turn to arch an eyebrow.

  “Okay,” Alice said. “What do you want to know?”

  “Are you in love with your boyfriend?”

  Alice didn’t have to think for a second. “No.”

  “Then what are you doing with him?”

  “It helps with other things…”

  Madison did not relent. “Like pretending you have no feelings for Jack?”

  Alice ignored the question. “I should’ve never come into your room.”

  “Too late for that.”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  Madison leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t want you to say anything. Just listen for once.”

  “Go ahead.” Alice rolled her eyes. “Say your piece.”

  “I’m not touching the Jack topic for now,” Madison started.

  “Thank you for your clemency,” Alice said in a worshipping voice. “Oh, sage roommate.”

  Madison ignored the jibe. “So, Peter. When you started going out with him, he made you happy. Everyone could tell. But lately…”

  “Is it so obvious?”