SS(S)S - Epilogue

Two months have passed since the weekend of the con.

Muffled Star Wars music is audible somewhere in CCL House. You aren’t sure who’s watching it, but they’re doing it in their room instead of downstairs. It’s none of your business. Colby’s more into Star Wars than you are. You hum along to John Williams as you grab your toothbrush.

The overnight bag is covered in pink and blue owls. You just got it. It’s very cute. Also expensive. Something about having a nice bag makes you more careful about packing. It feels satisfying, and making it look nice gives you the same vibe as you imagine that you would have if you made a really nice bento box. You zip it up and return to the mirror to check your appearance. You’re wearing a satin shirtdress with a tied waist. It looks good on you, although you aren’t sure what it makes you look like. An unnecessarily sexy personal assistant? A very expensive one, maybe?

Doesn’t matter. It looks good. You put on your lipstick, then grab your bag and purse to head out. As you step into the hall, Yuki emerges from the nearest bathroom, dressed for bed already.

“Oooh,” she says as you walk by. “Damn, Meri.”

You blow her a kiss and she returns the gesture with a laugh. You’re looking back and waving, not watching where you’re going. You almost run into Athena.

“Oh,” you say, startled. “Sorry.”

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

She’s wearing mom jeans and a cream-colored tee. Athena makes anything seem glamorous, although you could argue that you’re giving her a run for her money as the best-dressed girl in Gurlberg.

“Heading out?” she asks with a glance at your overnight bag.

“Yup.”

“Business?”

You smile. “You did just send me an email that we need inventory. Didn’t you? This morning?” She did. There are a lot of moving parts in this. CCL and CGH both helping the Free Gurls with their little hustle is a delicate operation. It’s like a ball rolling down a hill: it was easy to start, but the tricky part is keeping it from crashing into anything.

But hey, at least CCL isn’t broke anymore. And Sal is no longer bullying Athena.

“You’re going to get more inventory?” Athena asks.

“Is that weird?” you ask.

“CGH moves twice as much product as we do. You really think they’re going to have extra lying around? And they’ll front it to us?” Athena asks. It’s a legitimate question, but superficial. She hasn’t thought this through. Her mind is not calm. You wonder why; it’s not like she’s still being blackmailed.

“Athena, which sorority has six to ten girls on the road at any given moment for sports? Crossing state lines?” you ask.

Athena blinks, taken aback. That sobers her.

“You’re right,” she says, almost apologetic. Then a little of her usual sharpness glints in her eyes. “So you’re picking up what we need.”

“No. I’m going to negotiate.”

“Right. I was thinking you’d need a bigger bag if you were getting merch,” Athena says. She bends forward elegantly, reaching out to daintily pull the zipper of your bag. It’s just enough to see the lacy teddy folded on top. “I see what kind of negotiations you have planned.”

You zip the bag back up and lean toward Athena, matching her energy.

“It’s called diplomacy,” you tell her airily.

She stares at you.

“What?” you ask. “Are you judging me for embodying CCL spirit?”

“I’m judging you for being reckless.”

“I’m judging you for being jealous,” you retort.

Athena’s cheeks turn pink. You take that opportunity to hop up on your toes and kiss her cheek.

“If you want a little diplomacy, you just have to ask,” you tell her as you walk by, giving her a little wave.