Chapter 3

3 "Riley's in that group too." Sarah showed me a screenshot on her phone. I recognized Ethan's profile picture instantly. It was from the week he had the flu, the week I took care of him. After he recovered, I caught his cold and ended up bedridden with aches and pains. I’d texted him, asking if he could bring me some soup. He never replied. Instead, he forwarded our entire conversation to his group chat. The screen was filled with my messages.

Ethan: "Look at this lovesick puppy." Ethan: "She’s annoying the hell out of me." Ethan: "Does she actually think she’s my girlfriend?"

The group's responses were brutal.

Riley: "Damn, how many girls is this this week?" NotADog: "This girl is so clingy." NotADog: "You two are so wrong for each other." NotADog: "Does she even realize she’s way out of his league?" NotADog: "Trying to guilt-trip him into dating her, huh? Got any pics? Let's see what she looks like."

Riley then posted a blurry photo of me, just enough to make out my features.

NotADog: "Not bad, but she looks kinda scheming." NotADog: "I wouldn't even touch that." Ethan: "@Riley, where did you get her picture?" Riley: "Took it at the club event, I forgot." Ethan: "Retract it." Riley: "Too late now, why do you care?"

The screenshot ended there.

"He really doesn't seem into you, Amy," Sarah said, taking her phone back. "You really need to get a grip."

"Who’s ‘NotADog’?" I asked.

She seemed taken aback by my sudden change in subject. "Oh, that’s Riley Foster, Ethan's roommate."

"Do you have his number?"

"Yeah." She looked confused. "Why do you want it?"

Late that night, the only sound in the dorm was the occasional rustling of sheets. I changed my passcode and unpinned Ethan’s contact. Then I added Riley Foster on Snapchat.

NotADog: "Who dis?"

Me: "Amy Carter."

NotADog: "?" NotADog: "Why are you adding me?" NotADog: "Is this about Ethan?" NotADog: "I’m not gonna help you."

Me: "No."

NotADog: "Then why? Just delete me."

Me: "Riley, has anyone ever told you how unique you are?"

NotADog: "No."

Me: "You're different from everyone else, I can tell."

NotADog: "Look, just get to the point."

Me: "I’ve been getting close to Ethan all these years for one reason, and one reason only."

NotADog: "Because you like him?"

Me: "To get to you."

He went silent, like his brain had short-circuited. His status flickered between "typing…" and "NotADog" for several minutes. Just as I was about to give up and go to sleep, my phone buzzed. It was Ethan.

Ethan: "Cover my 8 am elective tomorrow. Sign-in sheet in Room 203."

He always bossed me around, like he assumed I’d always be there for him.