I can't believe it's already time for me to go back home. I wish I could stay with Jake until late in the night, sipping champagne, sharing our deepest fantasies and rejoicing at how gorgeous (and expensive) the furniture in this room is.

Instead, I have to snap back to a reality where Claire forces me through a dating show marathon, with her drooling every time she sees a six pack or a sculpted biceps. Like, does she only care about looks when it comes to men?

As I arrive at our flat, I realize that Claire isn't alone. There are four other girls with her. In particular, I recognize one of them: Jenny Bishop. I remember her because we shared a single course at college, but mostly because of her lousy hairstyles.

She doesn't seem to have changed a bit, style wise. Her hair is currently dyed fuchsia with neon yellow, green and blue highlights. She also has black lipstick and... red mascara. Yeah, she still looks as tacky as the first time I met her, back at college.

Another one, if I recall correctly, is Katelynn Dugan. I heard Claire mention her multiple times in the last three months because she landed some role in a play and became famous overnight due to her interpretation. I wonder why she even found time to be here-I doubt she'd be here without Claire.

The other two are Lia Madden and Luz Barrett. Honestly, I don't know much about their current whereabouts. I have to ask Claire... when she's not busy moving back and forth between the kitchen and the living room carrying dozens of bottles of alcohol.

Since I can't stand the idea of her taking care of all setting up by herself, I offer to help out, bringing snacks and sweet treats from the pantry. Claire tries to stop me. "I can handle this, Billie, go back to the others."

I don't relent. "No, Claire. I'd be a bad host-and a bad friend if I didn't help you. Just let me. It's easier this way, isn't it?"

Despite my best effort to relieve her from the burden of doing all preparations by herself, she chases me out of the kitchen. "Don't you want to entertain the guests? I mean, they're eager to hear about your latest date!"

I sigh out of desperation. "Fine. But the moment I turn into a laughingstock, I'm out." I go back to the living room, where the other girls have been gossiping non stop. They don't hold their tongues even after I frown at them.

Jenny returns me an upset glare. "What's the problem with you? Why are you so uptight, Billie? I mean, Claire told us everything a while ago." Oh, shit. How much has she told Jenny and the others over the past months?

"Define 'everything.' It has better not to be a vague ass answer." I cross my arms in an attempt to get across the point, only for Jenny and Luz to laugh loud. Wow, this is going to turn into a shit show. If only I could reach out to Jake so that he can save me from the embarrassment...

Jenny doesn't answer my question; Katelynn does. "About your thirty-eight failed dates." Thank God I didn't tell Claire about David or Jake, or else the "secret" be a whole ass soap opera to be spread publicly on social media. Of course, I don't plan to say a word to these gossips either. They're far worse than Claire when it comes not to overshare.

Not wanting to sound desperate, I grin and reply, "Yeah, I think I might for a new record-the highest number of failed first dates. Isn't it, like, hilarious?" My laugh is as fake as Katelynn's fur, but she doesn't care to notice as she cackles along with me.

I try to deflect. "By the way, one of the guys I had a speed date with gave me some advice. I think it definitely comes to use the next time I meet someone." Of course, it was David; again, I don't mention him directly because that would mean admitting I've failed one more time than those gossips know.

"What kind of advice?" This time, Luz asks me a question out of mere curiosity and not suspicion. Why do I still feel like I have no good reason to trust her, though? Her tone sounds off, which means she'll still try to dig deeper into what I say to find some underlying meaning I'm not aware of.

I recall what David told me that day. "He told me to take failure as an opportunity to learn from my mistakes."

Claire seems to be touched. "Oh, wow. He wasn't too bad of a guy, then. Too bad you two didn't click. Hopefully, this means you'll raise the bar even higher."

I chuckle nervously. "Why wouldn't I, Claire? I'm looking for someone who makes me feel good, like, really good. Doesn't that matter?" Silence falls among all of us, with only the TV keeping buzzing in the background.

"Okay, Little Miss Killjoy. Let's keep watching, shall we?" How she manages to dismiss my concern so fast worries me. She usually manages to find a good word for me even when she acts sassy. Right now, however, she just sounds outright rude. I don't like that. I wish she'd simply stop.

The show goes on with the elimination ceremony. The girls comment on the contestants' outfits, which they mostly find out of place. "Look, the host is a fucking reptilian! How much Botox has he used?" Under another circumstance, I'd find Lia's comment disrespectful.

However, since the aforementioned host of the show is a jerk who's obsessed with plastic surgery and fillers, I don't feel like blaming her. She's had the courage to voice a thought I've kept to myself all the time. I need to stop desiring to please people. I have to be more outspoken.

Meanwhile, the other girls start giggling and shouting like idiots. Claire tries to keep her tone down in contrast to the other four, but fails and ends up cackling even louder. I think I know why. They must be laughing at the host's botched Botox injections.

I ask them for confirmation. Claire's answer is proof that I'm right. "Yeah, he looks ridiculous, a fucking clown! Look at him, Billie. If you were to ever go on a date with someone like him, I'd pretend not to know you. Seriously."

This time, I agree with her. I may yearn for love, for a romantic relationship, but I'm not desperate enough to just accept anyone. I wouldn't pick anyone from that dating show, especially the host. Too curated, too fake, too shallow. As Claire rightfully said, ridiculous.

At last, this excruciatingly painful episode is over, after which the group decides to take a break from watching. When I ask for an explanation, Jenny simply states. "We've had enough." Fair. I mean, we've gone through six episodes-too many for my brain to bear.

Without giving me the chance to understand what's going on, the girls all disappear in Claire's room. I don't know what they're planning. I sense trouble here. However, I won't tell them because it's none of my business. They're grown adults and are entitled to do as they please.