He stretches out his toned arm, the weight of the deal resting dangerously in his palm.
‘You’ve got yourself a deal.’ My hand swings towards his.
‘I look forward to my promotion.’ He smirks, settling with a firm shake.
And just like that, the deal is done– my route out of Abbingtorn hanging in the balance over something I’m not sure I know how to do.
Nudge 14
The Group Effort
There are certain things you come to expect when your friend moves into their first solo place: wine nights, a designated hangout spot, a sofa to crash on after a night out. What you actually get? Full weekends sat on the floor, attempting to assemble poorly labelled flat-pack furniture. Unfortunately, if one of us calls, we all run, no questions asked. So here I crouch, dubiously balancing a bed frame above my head.
Kimi shrieks, dramatically dropping the manual. ‘Are you an idiot?’
‘Youtoldme to screw these pieces together!’ Devi waves the screwdriver. ‘I knew they looked too big to fit.’
Kimi shakes her head. ‘Not you, babe. I’m talking to our new resident daredevil. You just handed over the perfect job to an evil genius!’
If I’d known she’d react like this, I might have chosen a different time to bring up the deal. But I’d hoped that our current DIY focus would be so strong that they’d let my news roll off their backs.
‘I didn’t give it, I wagered it in exchange for an evenbetter, solo job. Let’s circle back to that part. I like that part.’ I slowly release the frame on Devi’s cue. ‘Ready?’
We all hold our breath as my hands leave the metal, placing all faith in the strength of our efforts. It stays where I left it, supported by the new hinge, as Devi grins with pride at our handiwork.
‘Yeah, a better solo job if you can stop being yourself for six months,’ she adds a second later, shrugging out from underneath the frame.
‘Not stop being me! Just stop being so organised all the time! It shouldn’t bethathard, right?’ I ask.
The room goes silent, their telling eyes and pursed lips saying more than their words ever could. It’s insulting how little faith they have in me. Or, at least, it would be if I weren’t feeling just as worried. But I will not have them give up on me, at least not this quickly.Someone’sgot to rally for me, especially while I’m struggling to rally for myself.
‘I can do it.’ I snatch the manual from Raina and begin to arrange the next set of screws. ‘You believe me, right, Raina?’
She’s my best bet for an ally; her heart can’t take the tension. But I can tell by her face that even she’s struggling.
‘Raina?’
‘Of course I do, you know I always believe in you,’ she says. ‘But couldn’t you have bet a tenner or a doughnut, or something?’
‘A head of department role is a whole different ballgame,’ Devi sighs.
‘That’s what makes it fun!’ I say with a squeal, distributing the new parts between everyone.
Kimi tuts. ‘No, hun, that’s what makes it idiotic. And since when did we start doing deals with the devil?’
If there’s one thing Kimi is, it is consistent. And I do have to rate it, honestly; someone needs to keep Aiden in check and I’m sick of carrying that burden by myself. But I can tell my fire doesn’t burn as hot as hers– at least, not any more. Not after the last couple of Fridays we’ve had and the way he’s carried me through them, against my will.
‘He’s not been too bad recently. Kind of helpful sometimes,’ I say, tracing over the events of the last few weeks.
‘That’show he got you.’ Devi nods solemnly as she reaches for the Allen key. ‘Charmed you into losing that sweet, sweet promotion. I blame the arms. You didn’t stand a chance.’
‘It wasn’t the arms!’ I say defensively. ‘And he didn’t charm me– I wanted to.’
‘That makes it worse. You weren’t manipulated, you were just being stupid,’ Kimi huffs.
‘She’s not stupid, she’s just stubborn. Especially with him,’ Raina says as she holds the diagram up to our work.
It’s my turn to scowl at Raina now, in response to her pointless aside, but she takes little to no note of my anger, shrugging lightly in response.
