She was going on a date? Well… what was she thinking? Deciding to see someone because she wanted to keep her mind off this guy. What stupidity. The situation was much worse than she had anticipated.

“My friend over here is rambling about how she has moved on and that she doesn’t really care.”

Well, then both of them were stupid. Katherine clearly cared for him and Angela had sensed it just by seeing her reaction that day but this guy who had spoken to her for so long couldn’t see it?

“I think I know who she is going out with and believe me, she has nothing for the guy. She must have reacted violently to finding out he was cheating.” She frowned.

“We established that… he wasn’t cheating on her!” he clarified.

“What is your name again?” she asked, tired of referring him to the nameless guy in her head.

“Stephen,” he said instantly. “I am glad to know that she is not the kind to jump from one guy to the other.”

“Knowing her, she might not go. He’s a friend of our roommate’s boyfriend,” she clarified quickly.

“Well, then let’s carry out the plan, shall we?” Stephen said excitedly.

What an absolute nutjob. What did that even mean?

“What do you plan on doing?” she asked suspiciously.

“We need to get them into one room and sort things out. It is evident that both of them love each other but want to wave it off and pretend like that is not the case because they have not met. Just like you said, feelings are feelings, and they can’t just deny theirs.”

That made sense. But would it work? “I need more information than that,” she snapped. Sue her for being bitchy. She had been tricked by a child.

“I’ll let you know, okay?”

“Oh no, you don’t!” she stopped him mid-track. “Tell me.”

“I’ll convince him to contact her before the date.” ‘Which is when?’ she thought to herself. “See you soon!” And he hung up.

What did that mean? He didn’t even give his number! How would they communicate? Surely she couldn’t call the guy’s number to talk to Stephen.

If they did meet, she would just have to kick both their asses.

– – –

“Are you really going to go?” Lily asked when Katherine came out for food. Her shower had sucked because all she could think about was his voice and the multiple conversations where he had expressed that he would take her in the shower.

“Yes,” she said decisively.

“And you are sure that he is cheating and it is not just some weird misunderstanding?” Lily asked, poking at her food.

“Why ruin our time by thinking about his life? I was just a random girl on the internet he was having fun with and maybe… just maybe… he would meet me to have some fun, ** around with me before he left for his real life. That would be all I got. I am grateful that it ended when it did.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Kitty,” Lily said vehemently. “You’re hurt and…” she trailed off.

It would be easier to deny that it was all a lie. She had to accept that and move on. “It doesn’t matter, Lily.”

She could see that Lily was about to say something, so she stopped her in her tracks. “I really don’t want to talk about this. I just need to get him off my mind.” Lily sighed.

Angelina stepped into the kitchen and silently listened to their conversation. Katherine had looked at her, hoping to at least be civil, but Angelina didn’t even bother.

“I want to cancel the date with Barry,” Katherine admitted.

“Just follow your heart, sweetheart,” Lily put her hand on Kitty’s. Angelina, on the other hand, was listening in patiently.

Katherine was conflicted. On one hand, she didn’t want to go, on the other, she wanted to get back at Ray for doing what he had. Wasn’t it the perfect way? To act aloof and like nothing had happened?

“I’m going.”

“Okay.” Angelina’s shoulder slumped.

‘Oh god, this stupid girl.’

“It’s better than wallowing at home and wondering what he is doing.” Lily nodded her head, but Kitty could see that she disagreed. “I don’t appreciate your reaction,” Katherine said blandly.

“I don’t know what you mean. I didn’t say a word.” Lily eyed her. “I just want you to do what you think is right. If it means that you will go out with Barry, you do that. If you want to stay home and cry your heart out, I am going to be right here sitting next to you. Fuck, if we knew where he lived, I would have driven over and helped you kick his ass.”

Angelina smirked. She felt the same way. Guess Lily and her were not that different.

“But because you have decided that you will go out with Barry, I hope you have some entertaining thoughts to keep you awake. Because he is a total snooze.” Katherine glared at her.

“He’s a good guy and definitely not a bore. Come on.”

“Whatever you say!” Lily shrugged. “Knowing you, you would have stayed clear off guys until I dragged you out. YOU jumped to conclusions, made a phone call, set up a date impulsively… and you didn’t even talk to me about it.”

“Yes, I have changed a little.” But she really wanted to curl up into a ball and just shut herself in. It was anger and resentment that made her hit up Barry. It was her stubbornness that kept her from calling Barry and canceling the plans. She wanted to see this through, maybe something good could come out of it. “But I don’t have to answer all your questions…”

“Yes, I am not your mother, but it would be nice if you didn’t make rash decisions. Because as a friend, I wouldn’t want you further hurt.” Katherine realized that she had pissed off Lily.

Angelina on the other hand was just standing in the corner, eavesdropping.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just in such a bad mood that I am being a bitch.” She sighed. “Ray is gone, and I want to prove to myself that I won’t close off, that I will thrive.” She remained silent.