Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

28: Lunch Break @ AIA

'And like, Brodie, literally nobody I know likes me or wants me. I literally had one person comment on Josh and I's lunch saying they hate me and that I suck. I mean, I'm a good person, can people just not?' Lotte ranted, as she took another large sip of her red bull.

'Lotte' Brodie Grundy said quietly, pleading with her using his eyes. She deliberately looked away, over at Brayden Maynard, Jordan De Goey and Isaac Quaynor who were dancing like idiots to some annoying music she hadn't heard before.

'I just mean, I can't help it, sometimes I freak out and do stupid things. I panicked. I didn't want to like him, I wanted to be childish. I didn't want to know any more Joshuas. I guess that somehow turned around pretty quickly. Do you know what I mean?' Lotte asked, continuing on with her vent as Brodie stared at her.

'Lotte' he repeated.

'I just - when someone is following your fucking car with a gun pointed at you - you're gonna run from everything and find the first safe place available, and that just so happened to be Tyler's. The older brother's. I don't know. I didn't need his bitch girlfriend dragging me out by the collar and threatening to call Tatijana or Marijuana or whatever her name is. Fuck, I mean, I was terrified' Lotte rambled, as Brodie sighed.

'Who's car?' Jack Ginnivan asked obliviously, as he walked past and loudly crunched on a chip. 'They're mine, thank you very much' Darcy Moore said, rolling his eyes and snatching his bag of chips back. 'Start bringing your own lunch in' he added.

'How could I when I was in a police station all night and couldn't get out of my cell? Oh yeah, they let Trent out, but not me! It's going to look so good on my record' Jack loudly complained, as Darcy looked at him, confused.

'You were cleared of all and any charges and released before 5:30pm, what are you talking about?' He asked, as Trent tried to hold back a laugh from where he was sitting. 'Whatever. It felt like it was all night' Jack said, as he folded his arms and sulked out of the room.

'I swear to god, if this doesn't get sorted out today I'm going to scream. Why do I have to be here to sort out this stupid access pass? So many people don't even need them' Lotte said, sighing as she glanced around at all the people having lunch or messing around. She suddenly jumped as Ella Whitlock-Moore took a seat next to her. Someone she hadn't seen for a while since she'd been given 2 weeks off work for a rather sudden medical condition.

'Is Josh even working today?' Brodie asked, confused. Darcy pulled a seat up next to him, keeping his eye on his younger half sister. Or cousin, as she liked to refer to him most selfishly.

'No. Ivy is sick in the hospital and he has to stay with her, but he told me Nick would be able to sort this pass out for me today. The only problem is, where is Nick? Nowhere to be seen. Don't tell me he's suddenly taken the day off too' Lotte said, as she quickly checked her phone for any messages. None she could be bothered answering.

'Well, I can tell you where he's not' Ella said, raising her eyebrows as she ate a slice of pizza from the lunch she'd brought at her University in Caulfield. 'South Morang' she added, mouthful.

'Do you really have to mention that here?' Lotte asked, annoyed. Ella nodded as she swallowed. 'Yes, as a matter of fact I do' she said, leaning back.

'Does he even know yet?' Lotte asked, glancing down at her stomach, hidden by a dress and jacket. 'No. I mean, Nick doesn't. Lewis has some kind of idea since you accidentally slipped up that night' Ella replied, as Darcy suddenly threw her a stern look.

'What are you two talking about?' He asked, concerned. Ella just shook her head and took another slice of pizza.

'Nothing that involves you, Darce. So, Brodie, how have you been?' Ella asked, desperate to change the subject. Darcy shook his head. She sure wasn't subtle.