Blended Ch 47

“Bella, this is called bullying. Bullies want a reaction because it grants them a sense of control. If they can decide when you’re going to have a bad day, they own you. Don’t hand her the W,” Piper advises.

“I know. It’s just so hard.”

“Then think of it this way. If you don’t react, that will make her feel weak. Don’t tell her that she’s beneath you, show her. You can fight these people, but nobody really wins. The only real way to win in a meaningful way is by not being her.”

“All right. We let it go.” Bella drops her phone on the table and sits back, letting out a long sigh.

“And by tomorrow, nobody cares. I’m not sure anyone cares now. People will be glad that you’re getting out more. Flynn and Graham will be talking to you. Choi and Sammy too.”

“Does Sammy hook up with girls?”

“Yup.”

“I’m a little scared to ask how you know that.”

Piper shrugs. “Something to be said for talking to people once in a while.” She leans over and kisses Bella’s head. “Find something to distract yourself.”

“OK. Thanks, Piper.”

Soon, Piper has the place to herself. She does laundry and cleans. Some days she has the energy to be proactive and do things sensibly, and some days she doesn’t. She feels good today, so she takes advantage of it. Once the chores are done, she settles down in the living room and eats a pint of sorbet while she watches a movie about a haunted podcast.

She looks at her phone several times, and even goes as far as pulling up her message history with Kylie.

The front door opens before she can type anything. She knows every set of keys in the household; these jangling keys are Kayla’s.

“Hey. Piper?” Kayla calls out.

“Yup,” Piper replies, pausing the movie.

Kayla comes in smelling of unfamiliar shampoo. She spent the night with Flynn and showered at the Himbo House.

“Good night?” Piper asks as Kayla flops beside her.

“Your plan worked.”

The moment stretches. Kayla’s eyes are on the paused movie. Piper yawns and sets her empty pint aside. Kayla doesn’t seem embarrassed or bashful, but something’s going on.

“But?” Piper prompts.

Kayla finally faces her. “I might have flown a little too close to the sun. That’s what you always say, right?”

“In certain situations.”

“The idea was that he’d get super interested in us, right?”

“Curious, at least.”

“Well, it worked. And it was really nice. So, I told him some, uh…” Kayla makes air quotes. “Stories.”

“I don’t want to know what’s in these stories.”

“I guess I made it a little too spicy.”

Piper blinks. “Too spicy for Flynn?”

Now, Kayla blushes.