by Cat Mann
****
Emily, Vi, Sophie and I all piled into my new car. I had driven it once, so it was still spotless and had that new car smell. Even though I didn’t have a car back home, my mom still had made me get a driver’s license. She made me practice with her Porsche and I was white knuckled and terrified the whole time. But in my car I felt really, really comfortable.
We made the drive to L.A. and I listened as the others discussed Julia and Ari in detail. Everybody made guesses about what might have happened between the two of them the night before. The speculation went on for a good half an hour. I knew, of course, what had happened, but I didn’t join in; gossip has never been my thing.
We arrived at baio, Margaux’s store, about an hour later. She had been waiting for us and I could tell her staff was on edge. She rarely made an appearance at any of the retail shops and I am sure all of the people working that day were cursing my name. Someone was bound to get fired. Margaux loves to make scenes.
Margaux had her staff show off all of the newest clothes and we tried on whatever we wanted. Margaux had box after box filled and carried out to the car. She made her own choices about what we should have . . . but nobody other than myself seemed to notice. Then she insisted on taking us all to lunch. Emily, Vi and Sophie had an awesome time and adored Margaux just as Mia always has. I did not see the draw in an evil woman who floated around on stilettos all day.
After the shopping and the lunch, we headed back to Dana Point, hitting campus in late afternoon. Loaded down with boxes and bags, we were waiting in the lobby for the elevator when the doors slid open and Ari stepped out. He said hello to us all with his bright, beautiful smile and I attempted to look pre-occupied with our items. Emily, Viola, Sophie and I hopped on the elevator. They called out their own friendly hellos. I kept my eyes on the ground and didn’t look up until I knew the doors were closed together tightly.
I opened the door to my dorm and shoved all the boxes in the bottom of my closet, then flopped down on my bed. After spending the day with my grandmother in high gear and a car full of gossiping girls, the quiet was abnormally welcoming. Twelfth floor was silent. Most of the people had gone home for the weekend, and I suspected Ari was heading home too. I was officially alone.
