But inside, I wasn't so sure I understood.

Alice was waiting for me and Belle at the parking lot and came over to us as soon as we stepped onto the curb. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a searing kiss. I figured I was going to need to get used to this and expect "good morning" kisses instead of fist bumps a Lot more often.

ALL seven of us came together at recess. When Mari found out Zofi had joined in on Alice Tuesday, she made some sly comment about the girls enjoying themselves. I know Naimh didn't mean to draw attention to herself, but she couldn't help but sigh and look away a bit awkwardly.

Mari noticed and apologized for being insensitive. Naimh tried to brush it off saying she knew full well the girls were going to fuck my brains out and had even told Alice she was happy someone would be taking good care of me.

Sam was silent, Looking thoughtful, and I could see the gears turning in her pretty Little head. I should've known then that I was going to be in trouble.

Seeking to reassure Naimh that I still very much cared about her and wanted to work things out, I met her outside her class again at lunchtime, and we walked slowly to join the others with her trying to explain she was perfectly fine with me continuing to hook up with the other girls and how the whole situation was her fault in the first place for screaming her ex-boyfriend's name. I, on the other hand, wanted to be sensitive of her feelings and promised to talk to the girls about not rubbing it in her face.

If only I had known...

Naimh and I walked slowly enough that the other five girls had all beat us to the table. They were huddled together in some kind of serious discussion, and when Zofi spotted us, Sam immediately stepped out and approached us.

“Matty, we girls need to talk. You're gonna have to eat your Lunch elsewhere today. Come back in twenty minutes.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Um, what?"

“Twenty minutes," she stated flatly. "Got it?"

“Uhhh... okay..."

Without another word, Sam grabbed Naimh by the hand and pulled the redhead into the huddle. With their backs turned to me, I furrowed my eyebrows, shook my head, and turned to walk off.

Twenty-one minutes later, I returned to the table. Zofi and Mari Looked apologetic. Alice Looked rather annoyed. Belle’s eyes were intense. And

Sam looked quietly serious.

Naimh actually left the group, came over to hug me, and said immediately, "I tried to talk them out of it. I'm so sorry. I never meant for something like this to happen.”

I frowned.

“What are you talking about?"

Sam stepped forward.

“We're the BTC, and Neevie is part of the BTC.

Regardless of whatever happened between the two of you, it’s not fair for her to be excluded from doing the same things the rest of us are doing. We created The Rule years ago to help make sure everyone stays

‘in balance’, and that's just as true today."

I shook my head.

“I don't understand.”