Chapter 36

Primrose

The meeting room was the same old classroom overlooking the Commons Field as always, and Zachary shut his laptop when I pushed in through the door, sliding it to the side and giving me a distant look. Yun sat to his one side, Randall and Andrea past him, a few of the others along his side of the table, all eyes on me, but it was Zach who spoke.

“Primrose. Thought you were walking out that door for good.”

“Think you know why I’m back, bud.” I slid up onto the opposite table across the room from them, planting my hands on the surface between my legs and leaning forwards. “You’ve got eyes and ears everywhere, right? Or have they stopped looking, stopped listening?”

He raked his hand through his hair. “You know how much easier it would have been if you’d just gone along with the plan. For all of us.”

“Ah, you know me. Always been a bit contrarian.”

The door opened again behind me, and I glanced back at where Matthew came into the room with Tan behind him, Ethan trailing behind—even Ethan showing up on time for this, which seemed like a harbinger of end times. “Boys are here, huh?” I said.

“Well, you know how it is,” Matthew said. “Had to stop and get my dainty little soy latte. Held up Tan because he wanted to chat about life.”

“I’m not that simple,” Tan said.

Sooyeon came in behind them, and walking with her was Giselle, looking razor-sharp in a red blazer and a bowtie and everything. I couldn’t help the flutters just thinking how cute it was that she’d show up all dressed up just for me.

Of course, I also couldn’t really look at Giselle and not get flutters thinking about how we’d spent the night together at her place once she got me back to campus. But now wasn’t the time for those thoughts.

Ava brought up the rear, because who else but Ava to storm in last and kick the door shut? I turned back to Zachary, who sighed, kicking his boots up on the table, folding his arms.

“Pretty sure we have a strict members-only policy for our meetings,” he said.

“Well, no luck trying that,” Giselle said. “I’m a little bit contrary.”

“God, you two even talk in sync.” Zachary dropped his feet on the floor, folding his arms on the table. “If you want to leave, Primrose, go ahead. I’m not going to chase you down. I’ll let you stay in your place through the end of the semester without paying extra, even though—”

“I’m the one with leverage on that,” Ava said, pulling up a chair and sitting backwards on it. “Don’t get a big head. Primrose stays there as long as she wants, because I am notdealing with whatever shitty roommate you put in her place instead.”

Zachary shot me a dark look, just watching me. I met his look—guy was a bloviating creep who didn’t scare me anymore. Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head.

“Okay, I see what’s going on. I think you misunderstand the situation, though. I’m not afraid to lose FIRE—I’ve got what I need from it. I run this damn group to make sure we all get ahead, so don’t kid yourselves thinking I need you more than you need me. If you’ve gathered a group to try sabotaging me, I’m afraid I have no choice but to remove all of you from the organization, effective immediately.”

Matthew put up a hand. “Zachy-poo. You’ve made two mistakes.”

Zachary gave him a sardonic smile. “Oh, yes? Well, count me through them.”

“One,” Matthew said, putting up a finger, “is that you made yourself the lapdog to the Kent family business, and after the embarrassing showing where you’re coming out of this with nothing for them and their kid got beaten out yesterday by the exact girl you were supposed to screw up, I don’t know if putting all your eggs in that basket was the safe move.”

“You don’t know shit about what’s going on behind the scenes,” Zachary said. Matthew put up a second finger.

“Second mistake is bringing on someone whose whole job is winning people over, and then antagonizing her. Not your smartest play, Zach.”

Zachary narrowed his eyes. I felt my heart pounding in my ribcage, but nothing in this world would have made me back down right now, especially not when Giselle stood here by my side, her hand on my back.

“Fine then,” I said. “You can throw me out. In which case, my friends and I are forming a new group. We’ll call it FIRE. Anyone who wants to join, you’re welcome to. Leadership decisions are going to be a lot more transparent. And… in this group, we all get second chances.”

Zachary shot me a dirty look, which, honestly, I’d probably earned. “You really think you can do that?”

“Think so, but I’m not sure. That’s why I’ve gotta try it and find out, right?”

Ava jabbed a thumb my way. “And in case you didn’t get the memo, I’m on her side. And you don’t want to be on the side opposite me. I bite.”

Matthew shrugged. “You’ve always been a smart guy, Zach. Think you can see right now where the chips are falling. I’m with Primrose.”

“I’m with Primrose,” Tan echoed. “This is what we’re about, right? Being there for each other. You told me that a long time ago, Zax.”

Ethan nodded along with him. “I’m with Primrose. It’s the right thing to do. We all deserve that.”

Sooyeon relaxed back against the table, glancing casually out the window. “Does it even need to be said? I’m with Primrose.”

Giselle put a hand up. “Don’t think I necessarily need to state my allegiance.”

Zachary narrowed his eyes at her, a wary smile tugging at one corner of his lips. “So, you got a special invite, did you? Not sure your family would be thrilled to know what circles you’re running in.”

Giselle laughed. I couldn’t believe how casual she was, how relaxed—like nothing could faze her. But I guess I was being the same way right now. “Might be surprised. My biggest ongoing worry is my parents liking Primrose more than they like me.”

“Huh.” Zachary stood up, moving slowly, his hands in his pockets, giving us a dark look—one at a time, sweeping his eyes across us, until he glanced across his side of the table. “Well, then here we are, everyone. Ever fancied confronting a little coup d’etat led by the daughter of the wealthy elites we love so much?”

Giselle cleared her throat. “I’m not leading anything. I’m emotional support for the actual leader here.”

All eyes fell on me, and it was surprisingly… calm. I smiled, and it came easier than I’d have expected. “Yun? I’d never be able to go to Lighthouse again if I knew you were looking for dirt on me, and I’d hate to miss out on playing cards with you.”

Yun, looking even bigger than usual in a tight button-up shirt, raised an eyebrow quietly, his hands folded on the table. “Zachary’s been good to me.”

“I know. So I respect it if you can’t come with me.”

He furrowed his brow, not saying anything. I moved along to Andrea, who was avoiding looking at us.

“Andrea… as much as I might rag on you about your fashion sense, you’ve been there for me when I’ve been at my messiest. I’d hate to say goodbye.”

“Stop it,” Andrea mumbled. “You’re going to make me emotional.”

“Of course, we could still be friends. But I think I’d like to see you as a part of what I’m doing.”

She sighed. I turned to Randall, who—the look he was giving me, I thought maybe I’d have a chance.

“You’re not allowed to join,” I said. “I’m still mad about the orange juice.”

“Fuck off,” he said, but he couldn’t help a laugh. “What, trying to reverse-psychology me into joining you?”

“Yeah. C’mon, buddy. You know I can’t figure out logistics without you.”

He sighed, hanging his head. “Jesus, Primrose, I don’t know why we had to do it like this. I just…”

Andrea spoke over him, standing up. “Fuck it,” she said. “No, I’m with Primrose. She’s right. FIRE was supposed to be about us sticking up for one another. Zach’s lost sight of the forest for the trees.”

I smiled gratefully at her, but I didn’t get to say anything—Randall looked helplessly over at her. “You too, Andi? Losing Ethan is easy, but Carrot Cake too?”

Ethan scowled. “Fuck off, I’m sending clowns.”

Andrea gave him a pleading look. “Randi…”

Randall sighed, planting his hands on the table and standing up. “I can’t not be around Carrot Cake. And have Kittycat at my throat. I’m with Primrose.”

Sheila stood up, too. “I’m with Primrose,” she said. Next to her, Georgia, and then Cam, and then the whole rest of the line in rapid succession, until slowly, with a long sigh, Yun joined in.

“Me too,” he said. “I hate goodbyes.”

And with him it was just Zachary left, leaning over the table, his hands squeezed tight, a dark look on his face, and all eyes in the room went to him—watching him, the room quiet enough any move would be a bomb drop.

“Christ,” he muttered, pushing away from the table, and he kicked his chair out of the way, storming over to the window and folding his arms in the sill, looking out at the sky. Giselle snuck a glance over at me, and I slid down from the table, walking over to Zachary’s side, leaning against the sill next to him, watching clouds drift by.

It really was a beautiful day today. Crisp blue skies, the grass drifting in the wind below.

“You’ve given me a lot of opportunities,” I said, my voice low. “Wouldn’t have found a home without you.”

He laughed bitterly. “Matthew’s right, huh? Guess I helped raise the monster that ended me.”

“Think the bigger mistake was sending me after Giselle. You should have known I’m into athletes. Of course she’d win me over.”

“Son of a bitch.” He hung his head. “Guess you win, Primrose. Congrats.”

“Not like it’s all me.” I turned back to the window, watching people move by below us, talking and laughing amongst themselves. “But… hey. I’m going to be a bit gentler with FIRE. And give second chances, or, y’know, not to be radical, but maybe even third chances. So if you wanted to sign on… I could use your planning expertise. We can shake on it. Everything water under the bridge.”

“Kents could have given us everything, you know. Once you see the world from that high up, you just… shit, you forget everything.”

“Already been there. Gets old pretty fast. There’s things more important.”

“Friends? Girls?” He scoffed. I shrugged.

“Integrity. But a cute girlfriend sure doesn’t hurt.”

“Ha.” He pushed away from the window, turning and walking back towards the door, the footfalls from his boots heavy on the floor. The whole room turned to watch him go, and he paused, his hand on the handle, before he glanced back at me. “You know, Prim? You’ve got some attitude. I like it. Probably better to run this thing than I am, anyway.”

“Sour grapes,” Ethan muttered. Zachary pointed at him.

“Going to pretend we didn’t hear that.”

I folded my arms. “Not exactly coalition-building, there, Ethan.”

“Oh, now you’re ganging up on me,” Ethan said, his hands up. “A guy can never catch a break.”

Zachary pulled open the door, stepping into the doorway. “Hitting the gym. Tell Matthew he can do it, too, with all that protein from his lattes.”

“Dude, I’m right here. I just heard you say that,” Matthew said, but Zachary ignored him, stepping out and letting the door swing shut behind him. I laughed, sinking back against the wall.

“Think that means he’s in,” I said. “In which case… welcome to FIRE, everyone.”

I’d expected a snarky comment from the peanut gallery, but instead, the room lit up in a rousing cheer. I actually kind of freaked out a little—eyes wide, straightening my back, and I was just lucky Giselle managed to slip in by my side before everyone mobbed me, laughing and shouting together.

I probably should have seen it coming, though, right? It wasn’t about me—not really. It was about us. I’d felt it—we’d all felt it, that things were getting strained lately, heading towards a breaking point. And here was our collective breath of fresh air: we were okay. We were better than okay. We were reforged anew.

All thanks to Giselle. Some kind of irony, that, but I wasn’t the literary scholar type who could tell you what kind.

Giselle raised a hand over the din. “By the way—while we’re here laying out our new constitution and everything—does anyone want to enlighten me on what FIRE stands for?”

The room fell into quiet, everyone looking at each other. “Think Zach told me once,” Tan said. “I was playing Skyrim, so I didn’t really pay attention.”

“Genuinely, I’ve never had a clue,” Randall said, scratching his head. “Never thought about it.”

Matthew cleared his throat. “Zach told me while he was drunk one night. Firstly, I Reject the Empire.”

“What?” Ava scowled. “Christ, that’s fucking corny. Primrose, you’re the boss, pick something different.”

“Me? Oh…” I rubbed my temple. “I don’t know…”

Tan put a hand up. “Fucking Idiots Ruining Everything.”

I gestured to him. “There we have it. Welcome to our new charter, everyone.”

The room lit up in cheers again. Giselle squinted, looking out across the crowd. “Really? I’ve been a part of the group for five minutes and we start calling ourselves that?”

I put a hand on her shoulder. “With these fucking idiots, they’ll forget by the morning. C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s get pizza or something.”

She laughed, shaking it off, and gave me a hopeless shrug and a smile. “You know? That sounds great. You pick the place, I’m sure you have somewhere in mind that will greet you like a celebrity.”

“Ha. Yeah. I think I’ve got a place in mind.”

Of course, if it was with Giselle, I was excited to go anywhere. Just seeing where this whole thing would take me.