Chapter 187
As I pulled up in front of Carly's house, I could already hear faint music coming from inside. The lights in the living room were on, and the front door was slightly ajar—typical Carly move. I knocked twice before stepping in.
"Hello? Carly? You're not luring me into some trap, right?"
"In the kitchen!" she called out.
I followed the smell of popcorn and found her leaning against the counter, wearing a messy ponytail and oversized hoodie, like she had just gotten out of a lazy movie night. Sam was there too, feet on the table like she owned the place.
Bella came running to greet me.
"Come here! Good girl!" I called, patting the golden retriever. "How come Loki didn't do that?" I muttered. "He is only this eager when food is involved."
"They say dogs take after their owners," Carly teased, handing me a bowl of popcorn.
"Thanks," I murmured.
Just then, Freddie walked in, head down.
"Hey man, what happened?"
Freddie let out a sigh and dropped his backpack by the door. "I had a fight with Cara."
I gave him a pat on the back. "Want to talk about it?"
Freddie took a breath. "She kept insisting on knowing who Brit is. And she also wanted to know your secret, Jake. They know you're hiding something."
"You didn't tell her, did you?" Sam interjected.
"No, that's why we fought," he replied, shooting Sam a look. "I wouldn't betray my best friend, even if it was for the girl I like."
"Wow, Freddie with balls..." Sam remarked, surprised.
"Sam," I warned, prompting her to raise her hands in surrender.
"Sorry, man," I muttered.
"That is okay..." Freddie mumbled, his voice low.
"Freddie," I said, catching his attention, "I was already thinking of telling both of them about Marshmello. Brit is coming to my place tomorrow, and we can invite the girls too."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I am. I think we can trust Pippa and Cara even if we've only known them for a few months."
Besides, even they knowing the truth, they hardly can do anything (Marshmello became so big that only someone like Britney the news would take it seriously)
"They are good girls," Sam agreed. She liked Pippa. Cara, not so much... better she stayed clueless about the reason (or maybe she is not so clueless).
Then I turned to them. "But Freddie is correct—never betray a friend for any girl or boy. We will stick together. The hard core... the fantastic four!" I declared dramatically, pulling all four of us into a hug.
"With my two favorite girls," I added, glancing at Sam and Carly.
Sam and Carly looked at me poker-faced.
"Do you believe him?" Sam asked Carly with a deadpan expression.
"Barely," Carly replied flatly, slightly raising one eyebrow. I huffed
Freddie chuckled and nudged us playfully. The rest of us laughed soon after.
"Alright, come on. Let's pick a movie before Sam puts on Die Hard again," he added.
"That is a manly movie! Did you lose your balls again, Freddie?" Sam teased.
---
The next day, after class ended, I turned to Pippa. "Call Cara, please. I want to talk with you two."
She hesitated for a moment but gave a small nod.
The three of us went to a quieter corner of the school. I had already told Freddie I'd take care of it.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Cara asked, her tone neutral.
"I will tell you who Brit is and a secret of mine," I replied directly.
"Look, Jake, if you don't want to talk, you don't need to. I talked to Pippa, and she made me see reason. I was wrong, it was stupid to fight Freddie over this."
I gasped. "Give me back my prejudice and my clichés. That's not how you should act." Then I spoke in a distorted high pitch voice, "She is a secret lover of Jake. His secret is that he is a pig!"
Both girls rolled their eyes and crossed their arms.
"I'm not some bubble-headed girl," Cara replied dryly.
"I know you've never betrayed anyone. Besides, we're not even dating dating. And knowing you, if you wanted a polygamous relationship, you would just say it straight to my face," Pippa added, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm confused, is that a compliment?" I tilted my head.
"No, you dumbo!" Pippa snapped.
I chuckled and then looked at both of them. "Brit is coming to my house today. I already told her about you two. I said I trust you. And that I want you to know everything too."
"I don't know if I want to know anymore..." Cara muttered. "I'll go make peace with Freddie."
"Hey, now I want you two to see."
---
Cara and Pippa were looking astonished at my room. I had decided to hire a designer and enhance the layout and decoration even further—we were making every possible improvement in the house.
"Loki, come here, boy. We have guests," I called.
He appeared moments later, walking slowly and without much concern.
Before I could grab him, he rushed into Pippa's arms. My eyes twitched.
"He is such a cutiepie," Pippa said, smiling as she stroked his fur. Cara joined her, petting him too
I stepped closer. "Loki, you traitor. You're eating only lettuce this week."
Then, Brit walked in with Paige and White, our fluffy Samoyed, right behind.
"Hey Brit, how was Europe?" I asked as I made my way to her.
"Jakee," she greeted, giving me a warm hug. "It was great, and a success!"
It seems like the new members of Britney's team we brought in are already making an impact.
I leaned down to pat White's head. "Good girl." I did the same to Paige, who tried to swat me away.
"Brit, these two were nagging to know who you are," I added.
Cara and Pippa crossed their arms
"Come on, Brit. Do it like I told you—with a ta-da."
I pressed a button and drumrolls played.
All the girls stared at me.
"Really, Jake?" Pippa looked unimpressed
Britney rolled her eyes but started building suspense until she slowly removed the entire mask.
Cara and Pippa's eyes almost popped out.
"Is she who I think she is?" Cara whispered in disbelief.
"I don't know..." Pippa responded, short-circuiting.
"It is Britney, bitchy!" I said, earning an elbow from Britney.
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