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"She's fine," I muttered. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.408596 | 6.6 |
Jack reached out and grabbed each of us. "Girls, aren't you freaked? There's a killer in your office. Or he, like, came to your office. Whichever. Still creepy as fuck." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.408903 | 6.6 |
Sarah nodded in reply. I shrugged. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.40921 | 6.6 |
"What if," Jack continued, dropping his voice, "what if the killer is someone we know? Like in the biz?" Sarah and I both gasped, but for different reasons. "Mulberry gets offed. Then Lisa. What if some sick serial killer has a hard-on for fashion girls? O-M-G, that means you two could be next!" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.409517 | 6.6 |
He clapped his hands. I don't think he wanted us dead, but the excitement of it all was too much. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.409823 | 6.6 |
"Gross, Jack. No. That's not what's happening." Sarah rolled her eyes. "We're so beyond safe. Right, Anya?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.41013 | 6.6 |
"Of course. Besides, do we even know if Mulberry and Lisa are linked? I mean, let's wait to hear from the police." My head hurt. The buzzing was getting louder. I wanted to rub my temples, but my hands were holding all the shoes. "Anyways, there's a thirty-three percent chance the murders won't be solved." They both stared at me. "I heard it on NPR. Just, like, statistics." Crime shows make you think every homicide will be solved thanks to a stray hair, a random skin cell. It wasn't real. Nothing was as advanced as what we saw on TV. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.410437 | 6.6 |
"Dark, Anya," Jack said. "I'm just saying something is really messed up around here. I still think it's someone we know." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.410744 | 6.6 |
A hysterical bubble of laughter came out of me. I didn't mean for it to. But it did. Sarah and Jack stared at me. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.411051 | 6.6 |
"Oh, come on! Who is smart enough to pull that off? Obvi not one of us." I laughed again, to show how absurd it all was. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.411358 | 6.6 |
Mulberry waved from across the store. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.411665 | 6.6 |
Sarah glanced back and forth between me and Jack. "You know, Anya's right. A fashion girl could never pull this off." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.411972 | 6.6 |
Jack shook his head. "Y'all aren't giving yourselves enough credit." But he dropped it. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.412279 | 6.6 |
I paced my living room. It wasn't really a full room. My apartment was one big box with a closet splitting it down the middle. I walked from my front door to my windows, which faced the East River. _Walk and breathe_. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.412893 | 6.6 |
Jack knew. I don't know what he knew, exactly. But he knew a little. He saw me kick that girl, and it clicked or something. Shit, what if he had followed me to Lisa's? Seen me leave her apartment? What if he'd gone to the police? He wouldn't be able to resist Detective Hopper's dreamy eyes. I could barely resist them. Hopper would get to him, force Jack to dig up dirt on me. I couldn't even blame Jack for it. Ugh, Detective Hopper could get _me_ to spy for him if he asked nicely enough. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.4132 | 6.6 |
I was suddenly positive that Jack was recording each and every conversation we'd ever had. I called Dr. M. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.413507 | 6.6 |
"Don't you think you're being a bit paranoid?" he said slowly, cautiously. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.413814 | 6.6 |
"Paranoid? Dr. M! He said one of us was the killer. What kind of person says that?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.414121 | 6.6 |
"Maybe Jack's trying to rattle you. Or is it possible he's the one the police are looking for?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.414428 | 6.6 |
"Huh. I never thought of it like that. He could be the prime suspect. He never cared for Mulberry. And Lisa was one of his closest, but you never can tell." Was Dr. M onto something? Did the police think Jack was the root of all fashion evil? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.414735 | 6.6 |
"What if, and hear me out, what if he just wants to be friends with you? It seems like so far he's been on Team Anya." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.415042 | 6.6 |
I tilted my head. Was Dr. M right? In the loud clutter that filled my thoughts, Jack's smile and wave from the Highline party jumped out. Jack defending me in the car. I didn't know if I could trust him yet. You couldn't let your guard down with anyone in fashion. But maybe, just maybe, I could get Jack to be my friend. Then Sarah would fall in line. The trinity needed a third. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.415349 | 6.6 |
"Maybe. I mean, that would be great. But it's so hard to know who to trust in this industry." There was an awkward pause. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.415656 | 6.6 |
"Are we going to talk about Cassie?" he finally asked. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.415963 | 6.6 |
"Ugh, no. She won't be a problem anymore." I could hear him sigh. He was not happy with me. I was going to get a failing grade for everything this week. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.41627 | 6.6 |
"Anya, do I need to point out that you're transferring your feelings onto your intern?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.416577 | 6.6 |
See? Told you so. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.416884 | 6.6 |
"That maybe you realize how unhealthy your obsession with Sarah is?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.417191 | 6.6 |
"No, Cassie was just annoying. We're nothing alike. I did Sarah a favor. Cassie was screwing her boyfriend. I gotta go." I hung up. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.417498 | 6.6 |
Transferring. Pssh. Shrink jargon was such bullshit. Why do psychiatrists always try to force some big breakthrough on you? Didn't they know it had to be organic? But he was right about something—Jack was confusing. I had zero idea what his intentions were. And until I did, he was majorly suspect. Jack complimented me a lot this morning. It made me feel warm and confused. Did he want to be friends? People only say nice things when they want something from you. But what could Jack possibly want from me? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.417805 | 6.6 |
He texted Sarah for my info. He called me crazy and chic. Sarah stopped replying. The parental monitoring app had paid for itself. I felt happy and strangely nauseous. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.418112 | 6.6 |
Sarah was sulking at her desk the next morning. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.418726 | 6.6 |
"What's the matter, Sarah? Don't like your shoes?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.419033 | 6.6 |
"No, it's Jack. He's being weird, is all. Sometimes his taste level is really low." She grimaced. She meant me. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.41934 | 6.6 |
"Oh? What's he going on about now?" _Play it cool, Anya_. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.419647 | 6.6 |
"Ugh, you. You're all he talks about. Can you believe it?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.419954 | 6.6 |
I laughed. "He hates me, so whatever." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.420261 | 6.6 |
"He doesn't. He just didn't know you before. But now he thinks you're like super-goth-fighter girl. Isn't that hilarious?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.420568 | 6.6 |
"That's so funny!" I laughed. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.420875 | 6.6 |
"I think he needs to get his meds adjusted." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.421182 | 6.6 |
"Well, I don't care much about him. Except—who does his eyebrows? Because they look so good." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.421489 | 6.6 |
"O-M-G, right? Ugh, I hate when the gays are better browed than me." We both sighed. We were the same, me and Sarah. We were one. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.421796 | 6.6 |
I started my Jack mood board when I got home. He was with Sarah in every single photo. I drew skulls, unibrows, and giant _X_ s over some of their smiling and kissing faces. Except for one where they looked exceptionally pretty. They were flawless, and it killed me. I stared at my face in the mirror for comparison. I needed a new one. Face, not mirror. Something that was Sarah approved. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.422103 | 6.6 |
Dr. M always says I need to vent my emotions or I'll have a toxic buildup. That probably explained going to town on Cassie. I didn't realize I was so upset with her. But it's good to get it out there, hash it out. Then you can make up and be friends. I didn't even hate her anymore. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.42241 | 6.6 |
I took a deep breath and let loose a wail. It started low, but then all I could hear was my own scream filling my apartment. I wanted the world to hear it. To hear me. I stopped when my throat hurt. My downstairs neighbor pounded on his ceiling. My doorman, Travis (he was my favorite), called to ask if I was being murdered. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.422717 | 6.6 |
"Every day, Travis." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.423024 | 6.6 |
I had all weekend to do some recon on Jack. His email password was HediSlimane1. Like it was hard to figure out. He clicked on a link in a spam email he shouldn't have. (I'll admit, if I got an email that said I was getting free La Prairie skin care, I'd click too.) One click is all it takes for any kind of malware to get on your computer. Keylogging software was the best. Jack was going to a showroom the next day at nine. Funny, so was I. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.423331 | 6.6 |
I dressed with care Monday morning. Head-to-toe the Row, giant sunglasses, nude lipstick for a washed-out look, and I carried a venti coffee from Starbucks. (I hated the taste of their coffee, but I did as the Olsens did. They were my spiritual masters.) I swanned into the showroom. I didn't say a word, just looked around and snapped photos with my phone. My goal? To get Jack on Team Anya. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.423945 | 6.6 |
"Anya?" I turned to eye my target, my (freshly tweezed) eyebrow lifting in mock surprise to see him. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.424252 | 6.6 |
"Oh, hey." Deadpan and slightly hoarse. Just like the Olsens. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.424559 | 6.6 |
"That's a look. Hungover?" He leaned in to stage-whisper the last part. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.424866 | 6.6 |
I laughed. "You know how it goes." I was cool, I wanted him to see that. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.425173 | 6.6 |
He nodded emphatically. "This place is such a disaster, right?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.42548 | 6.6 |
I didn't know his game yet. I couldn't give anything away. So I continued our conversation about nothing. Chitchat was always a must at fashion appointments. I couldn't come right out and say, "Jack, ditch Sarah. Be my friend." _Wait, could I? No, be cool, Anya_. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.425787 | 6.6 |
"Oh, sweetie, this is so amazing!" he lied to the publicist who came by. Fucking Lauren-bots, always in the way. At least this one didn't have that stupid shard in her eye. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.426094 | 6.6 |
"Let's go get brekkie. I'm famished." And then Jack Archer grabbed my arm and marched me out the door into a waiting Uber. "Cafe Cluny on West Twelfth. Lemme put in the address for you." He rolled his eyes at me as if to say, _Can you believe this shit?_ | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.426401 | 6.6 |
I sat, frozen. He chattered the entire car ride. This was most definitely a trap. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.426708 | 6.6 |
"I'm just saying, I don't think Sarah gives you enough credit. I mean, look at your outfit. Just look. Total MK and Ashley realness." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.427015 | 6.6 |
He got it. He understood what I was going for. Was this what friendship was? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.427322 | 6.6 |
"We might need to Insta this. Oh, just up here is great." We jumped out, and he stopped me. "Okay, let's pose this, bitch." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.427629 | 6.6 |
If you've ever had a superchic gay man order you to pose, then you understand how awkward I felt. I tried to summon every bit of inspo I could. I dipped my chin slightly, angled my head, crossed my ankles, and clutched the coffee cup with everything I had. I had taken notes on Zhazha's pics. Jack murmured appreciative comments. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.427936 | 6.6 |
"Ahh, got it. So good. Come on, I'm starving." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.428243 | 6.6 |
Inside the restaurant, I peered around the dining room. Only the coolest boys and girls in fashion convened here. I hadn't made the cut before now. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.42855 | 6.6 |
"Isn't the avocado toast here the best?" Jack said. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.428856 | 6.6 |
"We should totally get some and split it." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.42947 | 6.6 |
"Sure," I said. He wanted carbs. That was a diet no-no. But we were having such small amounts. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.429777 | 6.6 |
He ordered us coffees, the toast, and oatmeal. I sat back and pursed my lips in my best imitation of Celia. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.430084 | 6.6 |
"I'm _so_ glad I ran into you. You're, like, really blossoming, Anya." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.430391 | 6.6 |
"Am I? I'm just the same old me." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.430698 | 6.6 |
"In the Row. Whatever, _bish_. So, okay, can we discuss what's happening?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.431005 | 6.6 |
I shrugged. Whatever could he mean? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.431312 | 6.6 |
"Like, Mulberry," he said. "Do you know who did it?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.431619 | 6.6 |
"Who killed her, you mean?" I was thankful for my dark lenses. I didn't want to give anything away. Not to Jack. "Honestly, no. The police are still digging, but . . ." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.431926 | 6.6 |
"But, like . . . who else hated her, you know?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.432233 | 6.6 |
"No one hated her. I mean, Sarah didn't love her. I think she was jealous of Mulberry, to be honest. Shit. Please don't tell her I said that." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.43254 | 6.6 |
Jack grinned at me. "I'd never." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.432847 | 6.6 |
He would. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.433154 | 6.6 |
"And Celia wasn't a fan of hers." There. See? I wasn't blaming Sarah. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.433461 | 6.6 |
"I bet Celia is bitchy enough to smash a shoe into someone's face. I mean, doesn't she throw shoes already?" He barked a laugh, even snorting. I was fascinated. He didn't seem to care that he sounded ugly. Was this the gift of being attractive? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.433768 | 6.6 |
"So, like, did you kill her?" he said suddenly. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.434075 | 6.6 |
I jerked my head back and blinked behind my sunglasses. "God, no! I liked Mulberry, even when she fell down in her shoes. How can you even think that?" I paused. "Did you kill Lisa?" Tit for fucking tat, right? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.434382 | 6.6 |
He gasped. "Hell no! Look, we both know Lisa was a see-you-next-Tuesday, but I would never. She was so fixated on you. It was awkward. Is the detective as hot as Sarah said?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.434689 | 6.6 |
"Oh, so hot." I nodded enthusiastically. The topic shifted. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.434996 | 6.6 |
"What are you going as for Halloween?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.435303 | 6.6 |
I shook my head. "I wanted to dress up, but it's two days away, and I totally left it all to the last minute. What about you?" Really, I hadn't done anything all weekend but obsess over Jack. And Sarah. And Jack with Sarah. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.43561 | 6.6 |
"I have three costumes." He counted off on his fingers. "Gaga in the meat dress, obvs. Wonder Woman—Gadot style, because so chic. And I think my next one will be Adam Rippon. He's my guiding light." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.435917 | 6.6 |
"You have the eyebrows for it!" He did. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.436224 | 6.6 |
Jack's face lit up. "You are so sweet. Did I tell you I _loved_ your NYFW diary, bee-tee-dubs? It was so real. Oh, god, are you in love with Zhazha too?" He shot me questions faster than I could answer them. I was unnerved and charmed at the same time. Jack was dangerous that way. He could interrogate you, and you'd love every second of it. If he did team up with Hopper (and I wasn't convinced he hadn't), I was so screwed. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.436531 | 6.6 |
"She's incredible. You should hang out with her sometime. I think Sarah will learn to love her." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.436838 | 6.6 |
"After the arm incident? Though I saw the photos, and Zhazha wasn't close enough to push Sarah. You know who was?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.437145 | 6.6 |
"You." He smirked, popping a piece of toast in his mouth. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.437759 | 6.6 |
" _As if_ I'd hurt Sarah. Besides, it made for more work on my end. She couldn't carry anything." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.438066 | 6.6 |
"Huh, that's true. That'd be like you shooting yourself in the foot!" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.438373 | 6.6 |
"Did I tell you I saw Cassie hanging all over Greg while Sarah was in Europe?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.43868 | 6.6 |
"Shut the front door, you did not! Does Sarah know?" | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.438987 | 6.6 |
"Well, sure, I told her. But didn't you say she put up cameras? I dunno, I'd check them if I were her." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.439294 | 6.6 |
He grabbed my hand. His eyes were wide. Then Jack grinned, avocado all over his teeth. Gross. Maybe Jack wasn't as handsome and charming as I thought. | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.439601 | 6.6 |
"You know, I just don't get why Sarah doesn't like you." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.439908 | 6.6 |
Sarah didn't like me? | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.440215 | 6.6 |
"You're pretty, and sure, you're a bit bigger, but you wear the clothes well. O-M-G, brillz idea! Let's all hang out. You, me, Sarah, and Zhazha." | #FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar | 0.440522 | 6.6 |