A single bullet // M.C ✔️

20

"That colour of icing Calum reminds me of jam," I leant forward on Margaret's counter, watching as Calum failed to ice some doughnuts.

"Fits the fact it's jam doughnuts, doesn't it, Nicky?" he scoffed, chucking the icing bag down, making it splatter over the counter and wall.

"Ok calm it down," I laughed softly, pushing my body up and walking into the back, grabbing the bag and squeezing a decent amount of icing onto the top. "Pass us the white bag," I never even looked up, just pointed to the left where I knew a bag was lying abandoned. Calum's hand touched mine as he handed the clear bag over to me, as I grasped it, twisting the top and securing it in my right hand. Butterflies, fuck off.

I left gravity pull the thin cream icing down, adding a little drizzle to the jam-red shade he had made, adding a little pizazz to the doughnuts so they looked like what Margaret makes.

"Can't believe she trusted you with this," I laughed, placing the bag down and moving them all to a clean, fresh tray, lining them up perfectly.

"It's why I requested you came over and helped," he admitted, grabbing the tray and carrying them to the front, sliding them into the glass counter at the front of the store.

"I feel flattered you trusted my art skills."

"You're friends with Kensie, thought stuff rubbed off on you."

"Don't work like that, Calum. I have my own skills. I did take it for GCSEs," I proudly said, grabbing a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, spinning around and attempting to take them out the front.

However, Calum was now back in the back room and a lot closer than expected, making me knock the cookies on the floor. "Fuck!" I yelled, dropping the tray down to the crumbled cookie pile on the floor. "Fucking hell," I was in shock that happened.

"Holy shit, Nicky, are you okay? That tray was basically fresh out of the oven." He hurriedly reached out and grasped at my hands, pulling them towards him, flipping them over and over, making sure I didn't burn myself.

"I'm fine," I snatched my hands back, holding them against my chest. There was a burning feeling in my hands, but I didn't want Calum to touch or apply pressure to them.

"Go run them under cold water. I'll clean this up," I sighed softly before doing as he said, turning the tap on full power and holding my hands under it.

"I'm fine," I repeated, smiling softly. "Careful, Calum. Your caring side is coming out."

He grumbled under his breath, grabbing a brush and dustpan before sweeping the crumbled cookies up.

"We have to make some more now," I groaned, bending over and resting my head on the counter. "I really was ready to go." With everything that's happened the last few days, I've felt mentally drained, just wanting to be in a blanket burrito and fall asleep maybe write an article. I still have to do it.

"You can go if you want to, Nicky. I'm not going to hold it against you." Calum smirked, throwing the broken cookies away and walking over to me, gently grasping at my hands. "Think you can take them out of the water now?" Plus, I know how to make these cookies; Mom showed me. He chucked a tea towel at me, letting me dry my hands.

"If I didn't know better, Calum, I would think you're trying to get rid of me." I joked, knocking him with my hip and going to grab the ingredients. "I want to stay."

"I shouldn't have stayed," I breathed out a laugh, looking down at my outfit. The clean top and skirt I had put on this morning were no more, as Calum thought it was a good idea to chuck handfuls of flour at me and at my head. In retaliation, he got eggs thrown at him.

"At least yours didn't bruise you," he whined, looking at the forming bruise on his arm, making me smile shyly.

"Sorry, Cal. If it helps, I now have to walk home in an absolute state." I gestured to my outfit with my hands, grabbing the towel to get anything off I could. I didn't want to look like I was in a state walking home.

"Use my hoodie behind you, it'll cover a good portion of you. Just make sure I get it back." He rushed out, pointing at the black fabric hung over a chair behind me. I reached out and grabbed the soft material, sliding it up my bare arms.

"I'll make sure to clean it first." I smiled, zipping it up and grabbing my phone and bag. "You okay if I shoot off?" He sent a single nod in my direction.

"Yeah, going to wait till these are cooked and shut down. Gran was probably hoping for more desserts out, but..."

"A whole tray ended up on the floor. I'll take the yelling if she yells and is annoyed." I waved my hand at him before leaving, letting him lock the door behind me. We never really say bye.

"Kensie, you home?" I shut the door securely behind me and looked around, hearing faint music coming from her room. "Better not be having sex in there," I called as I walked by, making two loud laughs leave the room through the door. "Hi, Luke!" I yelled as I stepped into my room, shutting my own door behind me.

Quickly, I walked over to my laptop and opened it, opening a fresh word document. I hadn't been asked to do a new article about the gang, but I had an urge I needed to fill, and Sarah being murdered was the perfect thing to write about.

Local reporter attacked at work

Within the early hours of the morning, the gang strikes again, attacking and killing one of our own. Sarah was found dead in the office block on the top floor, three doors away from the boss's office. No one knows why she was murdered, and no further hints of the gang were found nearby.

If anyone saw any suspicious activity in the early hours, please contact us at News_newyorkcity@gmail.com for a representative to pick it up. Any help to find out the gang members is appreciated, as we can help stop them before more people get killed out of cold blood.

Police are suggesting anyone around the area of our office stay inside and not leave in the early hours or late at night, as it is believed they are lurking around for their next victim. Stay safe out there.

Further comments to come soon as we keep you updated.

N.S.

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