Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

On the last day of May, Allison caught a flight to Havenbrook.

Years back, after a huge fight with her family, she'd packed her bags and run off to Havenbrook, hoping for a fresh start. That was when she met Willow-during the chaos of trying to find a place to live.

Willow lived right across the hall. She worked in sales, always had a bright smile, and somehow made everyone feel like an old friend. Allison still remembered the first time they really talked: she'd locked herself out of her apartment and called her landlady, only to find out she'd have to wait half an hour.

So there she was, standing awkwardly in the hallway, when Willow poked her head out and grinned. “Locked yourself out?"

Allison nodded, a little embarrassed. "Yeah. The landlady's got a spare, but she's picking up her kid. Told me to wait."

Willow didn't even hesitate. "Want to hang out at my place until she gets back?"

Back then, their schedules lined up almost perfectly-they'd run into each other nearly every day. After a few casual hellos, they became acquaintances, but nothing more at first.

day, though, Allison took Willow up on her offer. She sat on Willow's couch while Willow washed some fruit and made small talk. It was surprisingly easy

weekends, they'd grab food together or wander around the city, window shopping and laughing at silly

had a baby. Life got busy. They lost

Havenbrook

her. She needed help-reat help. Turns out, Willow's husband had gone into business with two old friends from his village. They invested everything they'd

guys disappeared with all their money. The police eventually

husband wanted to sue, hoping

contract, all signed and stamped. The money had gone through the bank, so there

blown all the money and was now broke and jobless. Even if the court ruled in Willow's favor, there was no guarantee they'd ever

phone, desperate for help. She didn't have any connections in that little village, and Allison was

favor. She believed in paying people back, no