“Scholarly-looking? Who?”
The next day, Julie and Amaya managed to meet at Amaya’s temporary housing. After helping Amaya pack and move, they would start looking for office space to begin their business. When Julie arrived, Amaya was on the phone with her landlord, discussing the cancellation of the lease. Julie was a little surprised to hear Amaya talking to her landlord about it. “You rented this house?” Amaya nodded, a frown on her face. “That’s right.” “I thought this was your house.” “Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic, but I’m not so hopeless that I’d invite the target of my affections directly to my own home.” “You’re moving to your own place now, then!” Amaya nodded.
Julie changed the topic. “What about that larky boyfriend of yours? Has he stopped contacting you?” Amaya rolled her eyes at Julie. “Ex-boyfriend, you mean.” Julie yelled, bewildered. “You’re already breaking up with him this time!” Amaya scoffed, starting to pack up her things. “What else did you think?” Suddenly, Amaya’s phone started ringing. Julie glanced at it before saying, “It’s your phone ringing, Amaya.” “Help me answer it,” Amaya said distractedly. Julie walked over, picked up the phone, and answered. Julie yelped at the sound of the familiar male voice. “Amaya’s busy right now. You can just tell me whatever it is you wish to say,” she stated. There was a pause on the other end before the caller spoke up again. “It’s nothing. I’ll call again later.” He immediately hung up after he finished speaking. Amaya looked up. “Who was it?” “That loyal, handsome puppy of yours,” replied Julie. Amaya’s face was serious as she said, “Let me remind you that he’s not my puppy. We’ve already broken up.” Julie made a noncommittal noise. Amaya continued, “What was he calling about? Didn’t you already block and delete his number?” “He switched numbers,” explained Julie. “Is he trying to get back together with you?” “You’re overthinking things.”
Amaya decided to take pity on her and explain, “Some people find themselves very used to the good life, then abruptly return to having nothing.” It was then that Julie finally caught on. Amaya continued, “Oh, right. Are you and Zayn still contacting each other?” Julie arched an eyebrow at her, slightly suspicious. “Why are you suddenly bringing him up?!” “Just tell me if you guys are still keeping in touch.” Julie pondered for a moment before nodding slightly. “He’s trying to get back together with you,” Amaya said bluntly. Julie said nothing. Amaya clicked her tongue, a look of disdain on her face. “Nobody wants affection offered parasitically.” As she said this, she glanced furtively at Julie. Seeing as there was no change in Julie’s expression, she herself was unable to discern what she truly felt about the situation.
“Julie, you’re not secretly planning to get back with that scambag, Zayn Peyton, are you?” she asked tentatively. Julie dropped her train of thought. “Of course not! There’s no way I’m getting back together with him, not in this lifetime.” “He’s not a bad option,” Amaya said meaningfully. “Not to mention that he even shares outward similarities with Zayn. His eyes, especially.” Julie’s heart stuttered. She said nothing. Amaya sidled close to her and stared directly into her eyes. Feeling a little guilty under Amaya’s searching gaze, Julie looked away. “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t, it’s quite scary.” “Come clean with me, Julie,” Amaya demanded sternly. Julie was a little confused. “Come clean about what?” “You’re not treating a certain Mr. Fuller as Zayn’s substitute, are you? Don’t do something that’ll get you in trouble. The Fullers are one of the most influential families in Nordenburgh, and he’s the heir to the Fuller family.” Julie was quite surprised at that. “How did you know?”
Chapter 73