Vic Vaughn is Vicious

My phone buzzes and I pick it up, hoping it’s Vic. But it’s not. It’s Rina telling me that they will be in the library early if I want to study.

Today’s final is chemistry and I do need to study. Rina is actually a pre-vet student, so she’s been helping me with this class all semester. I don’t exactly need this final—I’m not in danger of failing if I screw it up—but I don’t want to fail, so I get up, get ready, and then head out for the bus.

Twenty minutes later I’m walking up to the study table on the second floor of the library.

“Last day, bitch,” Ella says. “Are you ready?”

I set my backpack down and take a seat. “I’m fucking ready.”

Luu giggles in my direction, her face buried in a book.

“So what’s the update?” Ella asks.

I assume she’s talking to me, since she’s looking at me. But I don’t know what she’s talking about. “Update on what?”

“Vicious Vaughn,” Rina says.

“Oh.” I smile and cross my arms. “So that’s why you invited me today.”

“Shut up!” Ella says. “You know we love you.”

“For an old lady.” Rina snickers.

“Who just caught the hottest older man in history in her feminine net,” Luu adds, still buried in her book.

“Truth,” Ella says.

“Spill it,” Rina demands. “We want details.”

“We deserve details,” Ella adds. “We’ve been true friends for thirteen months now.”

Friends. I give in—“OK”—and agree to details.

“Yes!” Rina and Ella high-five.

“But it stays in the circle.”

“Cross our hearts,” Ella says.

They all lean in. Even Luu, who has put down her book.

“Well…” And there is no way to stop my smile.

“OMG,” Ella says. “You slept with him!”

I blush so bright. I feel ten years younger. But all I can do is nod.

Rina slaps my arm. “Every. Fucking. Detail.”

“Right now,” Luu adds.

“And don’t leave out a single thing,” Ella demands.

“Especially what his dick looks like.” Rina snickers.

I have never been this girl. The one with lots of friends who love to gossip and tell each other secrets. But I turn into her now. And I like it. I like these friends. I don’t care how young they are. They’re fun. And supportive. And I don’t even mind telling them personal things because they have encouraging words at every turn. They joke with me, and smile with me, and they are just happy for me that things are going well.

“So what time is this date?” Ella asks. She’s gathering up her things because she has her last final in ten minutes.

“I told him I’d be done by eleven-fifteen, so he’s meeting me outside the chemistry building.”

They all look at each other.

“Nope,” I say, holding up a finger. “You will not show up there.”

“Bitch,” Rina says. “We’re so showing up.”

“Are you kidding?” Luu says. “Even I want to see Vicious Vaughn in the flesh on campus. He’s a legend. And besides, I have a final in the same building. And even though being outside at eleven-fifteen means I will only have approximately thirty minutes to do my test, I do not care. I will take an F on this final to personally meet Vic Vaughn.”

“You guys—”

“No,” Ella says. “We need to speak to him.”

“We have to grill him,” Rina adds, sneaking a sly look over at Luu. “Right?”

“Yep.” Luu latches on to the excuse. “We need to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

“It’s our duty,” Ella proclaims.

“We’ll see,” I say.

“Oh, I’m gonna be there early,” Ella says, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “And I’m going to take photos.”

She blows us all a kiss and then takes off in a rush to make her last final on time.

“I know damn well you left out some details, so I want to hear it all again,” Rina says, scooting over to occupy the chair that Ella just vacated. “Start from the beginning.”

And I don’t even mind telling it again. This week with Vic has been amazing. But then I remember that I’m a mother and I gather up my things so I can call Vivi on my walk over to the chemistry building.

She doesn’t pick up, but Veronica does.

“Hey, Daisy. How are you doing this morning?” Ronnie Shrike is so friendly, she is very easy to like.

“Just heading over to my last final.”

“Oh, you’re gonna kill it. I can tell. You’re one of those smart people.”

“I’m really not, but I’m not nervous, so I think I’ll do fine. How’s Vivi?”

“Oh, so excited about the goats. We’re just getting ready to go pick them up. She wants to stay the weekend.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“But if you want her home, I will bring her home when you’re done with your final.”

“No. That’s OK. She can stay. Vic and I are going on a date today.”

Ronnie sucks in a breath. Holds it.

“Veronica?”

Her breath comes out in a rush. “He likes you, Daisy. I hope you guys hit it off. And I like you, and Spencer likes you. We just… like you.”