This is the fifth part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV before continuing.
“Kiera, wait up!”
I hesitated. It was Bianca. I had no idea if Owen had confronted her about what I had said to him the other day, and that meant I didn’t know if Bianca wanted to have a friendly chat or rip my head off. Either way it was too late to avoid her. She had already seen me. I opted for nonchalance. “Hey, how did your biology test go?”
“I think it went well. We haven’t gotten our scores back yet, but I felt pretty confident while I was taking it. Thanks again for all your help. You’re a lifesaver!”
“Of course.”
“Listen, I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings when we were going for coffee.”
I furrowed my brow as though I had no idea what she was talking about.
“Owen said you were hurt by my giving you a hard time over the word ‘split.’ I just want you to know that I was just teasing and it was all supposed to be in good fun. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Oh, I know.”
Bianca breathed a sigh of relief and the wrinkles in her brow instantly smoothed. “Good. Because I really do appreciate all your help, so when Owen said you thought I was mean, I got really worried that I hadn’t been clear that I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t take anything Owen says too seriously.”
The furrows on her brow instantly reappeared. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No. Tell me. If you have a problem with him, I want to know.”
“I don’t have a problem with him. It just seems like you don’t have many friends outside of Owen’s group.”
“It’s not his group. It’s our group.”
“I know. And you two seem like a really great couple. I just get the feeling that they’re more his friends than your friends, that’s all. I think you should have some of your own friends.”
“Well, they did kind of adopt me when Owen and I started dating. I was new here, so I hadn’t had a chance to make many friends before that point.”
“It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s a good point. I’m glad I have someone like you looking out for me.”
I smiled at her in what she thought was a friendly way. But in reality I was smiling because I had her right where I wanted her!
To be continued…