𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝐌𝐚𝐱. 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟𝐞)

III

Julien and I stepped out of the elevator at Dumbo Hall to be bombarded by Luna and Monet "did you see that thing you guys were tagged in?" Monet asked 

"you turned off JC's notifications, remember?" I said as I walked ahead and into the bar 

"What kind of person calls themselves Gossip Girl" Luna rolled her eyes "it's the 21st century, at least Gossip Woman

"Is this that Syosset strip mall party store that tried to offer me a sponsorship deal?" JC asked as I walked over to Max who was just standing by the bar 

"Probably some regional tween hoping to boost his TikTok," Max told us "blocked and buried" he pushed a martini towards me "where's Obie?" 

"No clue" I responded as I watched JC walk away, "something tells me that this Gossip Girl person is going to be harder to get away from than we think" 

"Don't let it bother you Cat, it's just someone bored with their own lives and to make it more interesting they have to cause drama in other people's lives" I nodded knowing that he was probably right "come on let's go sit down" 

"It's typical for you to be so trusting and open" Audrey was telling JC "that's why people follow you, they think that they know you and they feel entitled to your life"

"What are we talking about?" I asked 

"Zoya" Aki answered raising his eyebrows

"Zoya's not some crazy stalker" JC insisted 

"Keep telling yourself that" I cut in 

"She is a semi-stranger who has, by some fortuitous coincidence, found herself at your school, in your friend group" suddenly the elevator chimed and I looked up

"Shit" Aki and I shared a look 

"With your boyfriend?" Audrey continued as they joined me in looking at Zoya and Obie come out of the same elevator, JC seemed unphased "I'm gonna get us another round, we're going to need it" Zoya was wearing a shimmery gold dress that was long-sleeved and had a small turtleneck, it was obviously from JC

"Hey!"

"What up Obes"

"Hi Obie" 

"Hey" JC got up and gave Obie a kiss "Thank you for coming, you only have to stay for an hour and then I'll come to whatever rally you want next time," she told him as he sighed and sat down "he hates this place" she informed Zoya 

"Yes, very much so" he agreed "I mean if one-tenth of these people donated the price of their drink to one charity of their choice"

"They are the charity of choice, obes" Max smirked coming over "and that one drink is to help them forget what people like you ask of them. As for me, I have very tight plans for the evening, a bourbon a couple of bumps, e Tutto it's a school night after all"

"Aren't you tired of playing who's going to win tonight?" I asked as Audrey handed me another drink

"Well, it's not a game if everyone can" he got up and walked away, he was trying to be mysterious but it was kinda funny to me. Audrey turned around and almost walked into Zoya, she looked Zoya up and down 

"Nice hand me done," she said and I laughed 

"Audrey" Aki warned 

"What? it's clearly not hers it's a fact, I'm stating factually"

"Um, she right" Zoya confessed "Julien-"

"A gift" JC smiled "the first of many to make up for the ones we didn't get to give each other. Olives or Twist?" Luna and Monet shared a look "I say twist" Zoya took the drink and took a small sip