Untouchable

0.33

Ivy’s POV

“You’re being paranoid,” Kayla says, sprawled out on my bed like she’s lived here her whole life.

“I’m not being paranoid,” I argue, pacing the room. “Something is off with Lynne.”

“She’s always been kind of weird,” Kayla shrugs. “Like… socially mysterious. That’s her whole thing.”

“No.” I stop pacing and look between them. “This is different. She was taunting me, Kay.”

Lily, who has been silent this whole time, finally sets down her phone and frowns. “Taunting you how?”

I exhale, trying to piece together what happened earlier.

“She said something like… if she knew something, I’d be the last to know.” I shake my head. “It felt like a threat, but not in the obvious way. Like she wanted me to realize something but wouldn’t just say it outright.”

Kayla sits up now, intrigued. “So you think she’s hiding something?”

I nod.

Lily leans back against the pillows, chewing on her lip. “Honestly… I’ve always thought Lynne was a little too good at staying under the radar.”

“Exactly.” I gesture at her. “And now that I think about it, she’s been acting different ever since—” I pause, my stomach twisting. “Since Kennedy started talking to me again.”

Kayla and Lily exchange a look.

“What?” I demand.

Kayla purses her lips. “It’s just… you don’t think they’re friends, do you?”

I scoff. “No way.”

But even as I say it, doubt creeps in.

Lily sighs. “Either way, it’s not like we can just ask her what her deal is.”

“No,” I mutter. “But I’m not just letting this go, either.”

Kayla groans. “Here we go. Ivy’s on a mission.”

I ignore her. “Lynne knows something. I felt it. And I’m not crazy for thinking that, right?”

Kayla and Lily stay quiet for a beat too long.

Then Lily sighs. “No, you’re not crazy.”

I cross my arms, satisfied. “Good.”

Kayla rolls her eyes. “Well, since we’re already discussing secrets…” She turns to Lily. “Are you going to tell her, or should I?”

Lily shoots her a shut up glare.

I narrow my eyes. “Tell me what?”

Kayla grins. “Oh, just that our dear Lily has been sneaking around with Sebastian Whittaker.”

I blink. “Wait. What?”

Lily groans, burying her face in her hands. “Kayla.”

Kayla shrugs, looking smug. “What? You weren’t going to tell her.”

I stare at Lily, trying to process. “You and Sebastian?”

Lily sighs, rubbing her temples. “It’s not a big deal.”

I choke out a laugh. “Not a big deal? Lily—”

“Keep your voice down,” she hisses.

I lower my voice, but the shock doesn’t fade. “Since when?”

“A while,” she mutters. “It just… happened.”

Kayla wiggles her eyebrows. “I may have walked in on them making out in his dorm.”

My jaw drops. “Oh my God.”

Lily groans again. “I hate both of you.”

I sit down on the bed, still in shock. “So… what does this mean? Are you guys, like, together?”

Lily hesitates. “Kind of.”

Kayla pouts. “She won’t call it that, but yes. They’re a thing.”

I shake my head. “Wow. I did not see this coming.”

Lily sighs. “Yeah, well… neither did I.”

I glance between them, my mind spinning.

First Lynne acting weird.

Now this.

Too much is changing too fast.

And I don’t know how to feel about any of it.

Just then, the door creaks open.

We all turn at the same time as Lynne steps inside, her expression unreadable.

Her gaze flicks between the three of us, lingering just a second too long on Lily.

The room suddenly feels too quiet.

“…What’s going on?” Lynne asks, her voice even.

Lily stiffens.

Kayla clears her throat. “Uh, girl talk.”

Lynne raises an eyebrow. “Right.”

She studies us for another second before smiling—something about it off.

“Well, don’t let me interrupt,” she says lightly, walking over to her bed.

But I can’t shake the feeling that she already has.