31

“You must have had a great ride last night.” West grumbled as Grey walked into the kitchen at ten in the morning.

Grey rubbed her head and groaned. She watched how West murdered the eggs in the pan and sighed.

“You’re not mad I took your car are you?”

“Why would I?”

“Because I’m sure the eggs did nothing to you. I didn’t want to wake you.”

West gave her a side glance and proceeded to place his battered eggs onto a plate and pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Great, none for me.” Grey mumbled.

West leaned against the counter and waited expectantly for an explanation.

“It was an emergency. Sort of. Sky called me—”

“Why didn’t he call me?” West cut her off.

“Because it was about Porsha. He felt he could only call me.”

“You know how I feel about you spending time with Sky.”

“West! Nothing happened. What could have happened with Porsha passed out in the back seat.”

“The front seat works just fine.” West said, sipping from his coffee.

It was Grey’s turn for her temper to rise. She balled her balls into fists. If steam could blow out of her ears it would have. West set his cup down and burst into laughter. He cupped her cheeks, but Grey shrugged out his hold. No way was she letting him kiss her. West was stubborn he brought her back and pressed his lips against hers several times. Grey relented and kissed him back.

“You’re difficult you know that?” She said.

West smirked, “Yeah.”

Grey briefly explained everything that happened, expressing how creeped out she was about being at the factory at night. She thought about what Sky said about how curious Sky was about the factory. Curiosity was getting the best out of her now that it was daylight and shadows in the windows were gone. Why would someone like Porsha want to go there? Was she just delusional? Was it even worth asking?

“You’re not thinking of going back there are you?” West asked.

Grey shook her head even though she had other ideas. West kissed the top of her head and handed her his mug of coffee.

“And babe, your secret’s out.”

Grey’s eyes went wide and the mug nearly slipped out of her hold.

***

“What?” Grey gasped.

“You were right it was about Sky and you.”

Grey set the mug down before she it broke. She felt faint then the raise of bile in her throat.

“How can you just say that! You have no idea what this means.”

He shrugged, “You else knew about this other than me?”

“I… I don’t know just Ela. But she would never do this. Oh my gosh Mia.” Grey cupped her mouth and gripped the edge of the counter. She really felt like she was going to faint.

She could only imagine what Mia felt. After all the good things Mia had done for her. She didn’t deserve this. Grey had made her bed the day she decided to kiss Sky. It should never have happened.

West grabbed her waist and held her upright.

“Don’t panic. Mia’s done worse.”

“I’m her friend West! You don’t understand. I’m sure she hates me.” Tears burned the back of her eyes.

Grey’s phone buzzed on the counter and it was a call from Ela. Grey swallowed and picked up the call. She heard too. Everyone knew what she did. She had to be the topic on everyone’s lips. Grey answered the call with a shaky hand.

“Ela?”

“Grey!” Ela hissed. “Whatever you do, do not come back here. Mia is a dragon!”

“She already knows.” Grey whispered.

“Of course. I’m trying to get out of here. I think she knows I already knew. I’m dead too. If anything happens to me it’s her.” The line went dead.

“Ela?” Grey clicked her phone off. She had to fix this.

“I have to go West.” She made a dash for his bedroom, but before she could get there, West slung an arm around her waist and brought her back to his chest. He brushed her curls out of her face and teased her bottom lip with his thumb.

“She’ll get over it babe. Mia isn’t innocent either.”

Grey’s brows burrowed. When the truth in its entirety came crushing down. He would hate her too and innocence would be the last thing on anyone’s mind.

***

How long had Mia been going for? Every curse word Grey could imagine was being uttered from behind their dorm room door. Every one of Grey’s belonged piled up outside the door. She expected as much. Grey stepped over her things and jiggled the door handle. The door wouldn’t give in.

Ela was still in there. Grey hammered her fist on the door.

“Ela! Let me in.” Grey yelled.

Their neighbors were eagerly listening from the safety of their rooms.

“Grey! You came to rescue me.” Ela bellowed from the other side of the room. “Mia won’t let me out.”

“Mia, we have to talk.”

“I’ve heard everything I needed to hear. You’re such a bitch!”

That already felt like a slap to the face. She turned to West who had his arms wrapped over his chest. He shrugged.

“I could have told you this would go badly.” He said.

“You’re not helping.” Grey sighed.

“Mia, let me out. I don’t want to die in here with you.” Ela blasted.

“You knew all along and didn’t tell me. You watched Sky break up with me when he was fucking around too.”

“It was just a fucking kiss Mia. You were shagging Brandon for months. Gosh, maybe you and Sky deserve each other.”

“Guys, open up. Mia, let me explain.”

“Explain how you’ve been making a fool out of me?” Mia yelled.

Grey shook her head. She’d been holding the tears the drive here. Now she felt like dying of embarrassment.

West pushed her aside and kicked some of her things away from the door. He grabbed the knob and shoved his shoulder into the door. It gave way instantly. Ela and Mia were on the other side throwing words at each other.

“Ugh, finally. I don’t even want to stay here tonight.” Ela said.

Mia balled her hands into fists. Her crystal blue eyes were like tiny flames pointed at Grey.

“I’ve been your friend longer than she has.” Mia said through gritted teeth.

“Yeah, but Grey’s a lot nicer less controlling than you.” Ela threw her hair over her shoulder.

Mia folded her arms over her chest and tilted her head at Grey. “So, you and Sky have been laughing at me this entire time?”

“It was just that one time I swear. I’m not interested in Sky. I tried to avoid him since it happened. It was a mistake.” Grey said.

“Why am I even surprised? This is what the Kiszinger boys like. They like to share women. Had a threesome yet?” Mia spat.

West chuckled, “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“West.” Grey hissed.

He raised his hands and walked away to answer his phone.

“I’m sorry Mia. I didn’t… I should have told you.”

Mia shook her blonde head, “Too little too late. You knew about Brandon too, didn’t you? Did you tell Sky?” Mia advanced threateningly.

Grey stepped back, “That’s only because you didn’t lock the door to the lecturer’s room! I didn’t tell him. I swear. The same person that exposed you exposed me.”

That didn’t do anything to ease Mia’s temper. West came back and stared at Grey with a grave stare.

“We have to go.” West said.

“Why?” Grey asked.

“Sky’s in the hospital.” West said.

Mia’s face went pale. “Why would he be in the hospital?”

“He was poisoned.”