Chapter 385

When someone finally recognized Shirley in the crowd, people started shouting at the spot, asking the lucky fan to point her out.

The girl who recognized her just went ahead and tagged Shirley’s social media account straight away. Shirley was used to it. She posted short videos all the time, so it wasn’t hard for people to connect the dots.

Claire was a different story. She kept things low-key and didn’t even have a short video account. The comments were buzzing with curiosity. Everyone wanted to know who the girl next to Shirley was, until someone finally chimed in, “That’s Claire p>

That’s when the flood of gossip started.

“What’s up with the James family? Claire and Shirley hanging out and just ditching Cindy p>

“Weren’t Claire and Shirley supposed to hate each other? So now they’re friends p>

“Honestly, it makes sense. Something bigger must have happened. Didn’t you see Cindy raising hell online, complaining that Claire shouldn’t go to winter camp and trying to make her give up her early acceptance to college p>

“Cindy’s really being petty. How does Claire doing well hurt her? If Claire gets in to college early, so what? Maybe Cindy should study harder herself p>

“You probably haven’t heard the whole story. Apparently, Claire’s grades are just too good and Cindy can’t take it. Her mom said she’s been crying at home every day p>

At first, everyone was focused on Shirley and Claire’s dance videos, but before long, the discussion got totally off track. No one could stop talking about Cindy now.

Honestly, what Cindy did was pretty shady and it ended up dragging down the whole James family’s reputation online. The internet was having a field day, roasting Cindy again and again.

Cindy still had her own little crew, though. Rose was the first to switch sides, ditching Claire and cozying up to Cindy, and then there were a few other girls-ones who never really got close to Claire but now acted like Cindy was their best friend.

Cindy found out about the dance video almost right away.

Back at home, she was fuming. She didn’t dare cause too much drama with her family around, so she stormed into her room and attacked one of her dresses with a pair of scissors.

The dress was something Octavia had bought, and Cindy used to like it. But the first time she wore it, Octavia had just frowned and said it didn’t look as good as it would on Claire.

Now, looking at it just made Cindy even angrier. Cutting it up was supposed to help but honestly, it only made her feel worse.

She didn’t dare lash out online anymore. Claire probably had some computer genius watching her social media―anytime Cindy or her mom tried to post something, Claire would find out right away.

And now even Shirley was against her. Did Shirley forget who her real sister was?

Cindy couldn’t hold it in any longer. She made a new fake account just to curse at Shirley and Claire online. Of course, neither of the girls cared.

They were way too much fun

together to even notice.

Shirley, Claire, and the rest of their group played at the arcade until ten-thirty before deciding to head out.

Sophia and Len hadn’t wanted to try the dance machine at first, but after watching Shirley and Claire, they gave in and gave it a try themselve It didnt go perfectly-their moves were pretty awkward-but instead of getting laughed at, the crowd just cheered for them and kept the

energy up.

It was the holidays, so the place was packed with everyone hanging out in their own little groups.

A few people even challenged Claire’s group to a team match on the dance machine. Team Claire had two pros and two rookies, but it was all just for fun—the other side was in the same boat.

After hours of arcade battles, everyone was starving, so a big group decided to head out for late-night snacks.

When it came time to pay, Claire insisted on splitting the bill by

headcount instead of letting anyone

treat The other group wanted to

cover it, but Claire was firm they’d

pay their own share.

By the time everything wrapped up, Sophia and Len didn’t even want to go home.

They were in such a good mood, it felt like no one wanted the night to end.

“Why don’t we go get a massage or something?” Shirley suggested, always ready with the next idea.

“Are you for real?” someone laughed. It was already past eleven.

Only Shirley still had energy. Even Claire looked tired.

“Come on, let’s go! We’re all wiped out, a spa night will help us relax and sleep better,” Shirley insisted.

“I’m gonna have to skip. My mom’s already calling me to get home,” Len said, waving their phone and laughing.