Deal With It ✓

Bonus Chapter- 2021 Special

Happy New Year you guys!!!

To celebrate the start of what I hope will be a better year (where people learn to wear masks and wash their hands), I wanted to write y'all a small chapter.

Stay safe!

Love you all!

Dylan– 23 y/o
Nick– 24 y/o
Amber– 11 y/o

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DYLAN

"I don't understand why you don't enjoy these," Nick said, moving along the buffet line, piling food atop his ceramic plate without care for social etiquette. The elegantly dressed people shot him dirty looks for what they deemed 'disrespectful behavior', and I, in turn, would have to give them an apologetic smile on his behalf.

Why did I think inviting him here was a good idea?

"Well," I mutter, averting my gaze when one of my father's colleagues scowled at Nick's words. "There's nothing to enjoy, really."

Nick looked at me in disbelief, lifting his plate up to our eye-level. My heart dropped when one of the hor d'oeuvres almost toppled off, "Need I spell it out for you?" He questioned, giving me a pointed look. "Free. Food." He dragged out each word like I was a toddler who couldn't understand what he was saying.

"I mean, is McDonald's better than this?" He asked, continuing down the table. "Definitely. Without question. But I also have to pay for that shit."

I shot the man behind him another apologetic smile at Nick's foul words before grabbing his plate and spinning on my heel. I heard Nick let out a surprised yelp as I walked away and he was instantly by my side, snatching the plate from me with a glare.

I rolled my eyes and snuck away to stand by the wall. I stopped myself from leaning on it, my dad's words ringing in my head. Nick, though, didn't have any social etiquette instilled in him, so he leaned against the wall and stuffed his mouth with the expensive, yet dainty, food.

"I don't know," I shrugged, remembering our conversation from before. "I'd much rather be out with you and the guys. This isn't really my scene. I'm only here to support my dad."

"And to celebrate the New Year," He reminded me, pointing a tart in my direction before devouring it in a single bite.

I ran a hand through my hair and let my eyes sweep the room. Dad always held galas for the New Year, claiming he enjoyed seeing his friends and colleagues before the year ended. In all honesty, I would've preferred being at home, practicing for the showcase that was a month away. Dad knew I didn't want to take over the company, and he respected my decision. That didn't mean I could escape any of the events associated with Amity Industries.

"I think it's cute," Nick chimed in, noticing my mood. I appreciated his optimistic view on the gala, which made me feel better. "Your dad wants to go into the new year surrounded by everything he loves– his kids; his friends; his company. Speaking of kids, where are the babies?"

The babies he was referring to were Isaac, his younger brother, and Amber, my younger sister. They were around the same age and loved sneaking off together to do God knows what.

I shrugged, not really caring. Knowing Amber, she was probably showing off her custom-made gown. It was silver, glittery, and downright blinding. My sister and I didn't really have the best relationship, which annoyed my dad to no end. We never got along and most of our conversations always ended in either an awkward silence or her getting annoyed with me.