"Whatever. I just want everyone to leave me alone."

"You will apologize to her or you will lose your staff." She tilts her head, like she's daring me to say another thing. I contemplate it, but don't. "Nadia!" mom shouts, clearly annoyed.

Nadia enters red-eyed and her face is puffy. I don't even know what I did to her. I'm wracking my brain but nothing stands out.

"You will tell me what happened, Nadia." Mom doesn't turn and look at Nadia, she doesn't have to. She's sort of like the evil stepmom to Nadia's Cinderella. She fears my mother more than anyone in the world. I roll my eyes at it frequently. But not today.

"I'm being sensitive, Mrs. Ford. It was nothing."

"Nadia." I start to feel bad. "What happened?"

"It-it was when you asked me if I felt almost as stupid as I was, in front of Vincenzo." Her eyes well again and she looks down.

"Oh my God. I said that? I'm sorry." I say it fast, too fast. I hate that I snapped at her. "I'm really sorry, Nadia." Honestly, I don't even recall saying it. I can't think of the moment it happened.

But Nadia is the best, so it did. She doesn't make things up or complain.

"Sami-"

"Mom, I get it." My gaze hardens as it hits her. "I know. I'm in a horrible mood and I'm sorry. No one deserves to be spoken to that way, it won't happen again." I give Nadia an attempt at a smile. "I'm really sorry."

"It's fine." She nods, desperate to be away from this awkwardness.

Mom gives me a once-over, cocking an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"

"Out with a friend."

"Not that Brimley boy again." She spits his name.

"He's richer than we are. How can you possibly disapprove of him?"

"That's very nice for him and his family. But your father and Richard Palfrey have been speaking about you and Zachary spending time together. We were sort of hoping to all have a weekend together here soon. The families were thinking perhaps a weekend at their family cottage."

"No thanks. I have school." I walk past her, offering Nadia a look. "I really am sorry." I leave the room, pausing down the hall as my mom speaks.

"How often does that Brimley boy come here?"

"He doesn't."

"Nadia, don't misplace your loyalty." My mother sounds fierce. I could slap her for trying to get Nadia to betray me.

"I'm not, Mrs. Ford. Mr. Brimley doesn't come here. He came at Christmas and slept in a separate room. I believe they're just friends."

"Well, I'm not convinced," she snaps.

I hurry to the next room, ducking in the doorway so she walks past me, clicking her heels in protest.

When Nadia strolls past I grab her arm, causing her to jump. I slide a finger to my lips. "Thanks," I whisper.

"I'm sorry I told her."

"Don't be. I shouldn't have snapped at you. This whole Matt thing has me going crazy. And school's a mess. I'm doing double the number of subjects to graduate on time. I'm sleeping four hours a night. In other words, I'm sorry. There's no excuse." It's all I have. It's what Nat would say.


      
        
          
        
         

"It's okay. I'm feeling sensitive, like I told your mother." Her cheeks flush with color, and I can't help but wonder what that's all about.

But I also have to go.

"I'll be home early. Matt is taking me out to some stupid party. I don't even know. But I have homework to do."

"Did you tell your mom that you switched majors?"

"No. My being anything beyond a socialite is incomprehensible to her." I mutter it as I check my phone again. Matt's sent some weird message for me to give to Vincenzo. When I glance back up she has a weird smirk on her face.

"You know, for all the games you've played with him, eventually you're going to have to admit you really like this boy."

My lips part to disagree but the words don't come out. Instead, I sigh and she hugs me.

"And he really likes you," she whispers.

"I hope so." I hug back. "I better go. Thanks." I feel like shit for being rude to her. She's a soft person, like Nat, only softer. She doesn't do conflict well. Or shitty attitudes.