Returning To You

Even though I have no basis of reference for any of these people, I find that I’m still enjoying myself. And that surprises me most of all.
In the end, the star does choose Aiden, just as Paige predicted. Of course, the supposedly blissful couple goes for the money—”To start our life together,” the star says, her eyes bright. I’m sure, with the promise of a hundred grand.
I feel kind of bad when I laugh along with Karen. Paige looks genuinely upset, as if she had more faith in her romantic idols than that.
“Face it, babe,” Karen says, nudging her friend with her foot. “People are generally selfish, self-centered, and not to be trusted.”

“You got that right,” I mutter without thinking.
They both look at me, clearly surprised.
I quickly grin and point at the TV. “Who would really turn down a hundred grand, though? I wouldn’t.”

The girls debate for a few minutes if they would take the money, which leads to a larger discussion of what they would do with such a fortune. I, of course, do not mention the trust fund of nearly three times that amount that I’ll have access to in a few short years. I never talk about money if I can help it. It makes people treat you differently.
“I’ve got it,” Karen says, smacking her hands together. “The ultimate! I’d take the money and use it to pay off Black Veil Brides' body guards so I could get backstage to see them.”
I’ve been having so much fun with the girls that I almost forgot the reason I met them in the first place. Is it too much to ask that I get through one dinner without having to think about Andy?
“Oh, absolutely,” Paige says. “And I’d spend the rest to follow the tour in style. Not just a few stops on the east coast—I’d go all out.”

“Yeah, we could fly from city to city instead of schlepping it in your P.O.S. ’98 Cavalier.”
“Hey! The Cavi has seen us through some good times.”
“True,” Karen agrees. “I don’t think I would have made it through high school without that thing as a getaway car.”
“You guys went to high school together?” I ask then realize they did look a bit younger in some of the pictures.
“Oh, God, yes,” Karen says, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been stuck with this bitch since kindergarten.”

“You mean you’ve been blessed with me.” Paige smiles beatifically before her voice takes on an edge that better matches her multiple piercings. “Right?”
“Oh, absolutely, that’s what I meant.”
“What about you, Daisy?” Paige asks. “Where did your best friend end up?”
I stare at her, sure for some reason that she knows about Andy. “Uh, I… what?”
“Did she go to a different school? Is that why you aren’t rooming with her?”
“I… um… yeah. My best friend doesn’t go here.”

They’re both watching me, and I feel a bead of sweat trickle down my back.
“Where are you from, anyhow?” Paige asks. “I looked for you last night on Instagram and Facebook and couldn’t find you. I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t have a page.”
Shit. “Uh, yeah. I don’t really like all that stuff. Too much drama.” I try to keep my mind off the things she would have found a year ago had she looked me up on that site. “Drama” didn’t begin to cover it.

They’re both still looking at me, and I rack my brains to remember the first part of Paige’s question. Had she asked where I lived? I can feel the panic attack closing in. Why can’t they just look away? “Cincinnati,” I finally blurt. “In Ohio.”
Their eyes immediately go wide and I realize, belatedly, what I’ve done in my panic. There is no way these two girls, of all people, won’t realize the connection.
“Cincinnati, Ohio?” Paige asks in a shrill voice. “As in the hometown of Andy Biersack?”
Oh God. How could I be so stupid?

Before I can come up with a denial, or an explanation, or anything, Karen points at me. “That’s right, isn’t it? You totally come from the same town.” She pauses before continuing, her voice dropping. “Do you know them?”
“Ohmygod, ohmygod!” Paige squeals. “You totally do! I can see it in your face! I can’t believe this!”
They both look as though Christmas has come early. I, on the other hand, am trying to keep my pad thai from coming back up.
“How well do you know them?” Karen asks, sounding awed. “You’re the same age as Andy. Were you in school together?”
I might start crying. What can I do? They know, and I can’t think of any way to convince them otherwise. Maybe if I was calm I could talk my way out of this, but my brain is just too muddled with fear.

Notes

Gehehehee