Page 33 of Stay Toxic

“I see.” Sebastian stares at me for a long while, before clearing his throat. “Ladies. I’d better leave you to get ready. I’ll pick you up at seven. I have some things to take care of until then.”

“Wait, get ready for what?” I frown.

“The gala.” Before I can protest, he argues, “Are you telling me no one’s going to check the alibi we just gave to get rid of lover boy?”

Ah. He has a point.

“Seven,” Sebastian repeats on his way out. “Don’t be late.”

14

Stranger: So, any luck with that social media?

With everything going on today, I didn’t get a chance to check my messages until now.

Me: Yep! You can now find me at greeneyedpervert.

He’s quick to reply.

Stranger: I get the green eyes. Good to know about the other part.

Me: I let my bestie pick the name.

Stranger: And she called you a pervert?

Me: I mean, not really? A guy I know calls me a pervert. She hijacked it.

Stranger: Sounds like there’s a story there.

I hesitate, before starting to type. I can’t get too much into it, given that Aurelius knows who I am. But he’s been pretty good at advice so far, hasn’t he?

Me: Ugh I’m so irritated and I have to vent to someone so you’re it, I guess. The guy who’s kinda dating roommate is…flirty?

Me: It’s awkward, really.

Stranger: Why would it be awkward? Tons of people flirt.

Me: Because…I don’t know, it makes me feel bad for her.

Stranger: Ah. You fancy him.

Me: I didn’t say that.

Me: I mean, he’s cute, but I don’t do taken guys.

Me: I’m not that kind of person.

Stranger: You know what, can we circle back to your second letter? I’d like you to shoot me rather than hearing this.

Me: Nope. You’re stuck with me now. I know you’re a nice guy.

Stranger: Ugh, fine. Emasculate me completely, why don’t you. You might as well tell me about your boy problems. Was the issue the fact that he’s kinda dating the roommate, or is he terrible at flirting? I’m lost. Also, how does one kinda date?

Me: You’re really letting me vent about this? I think I love you.

Me: Okay, so he’s definitely fucking my roommate regularly, and they’re intimate in public sometimes, like touching or whatever. If I didn’t know that she’s fucking other people, I’d assume they were dating. And I *love* her. We get along. She was my first friend here and she introduced me to all my friends. I don’t want to fuck that up because of her kinda boyfriend.

Me: Except they are seeing other people so maybe she won’t mind? I don’t know.