Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

59 | I Swatted A Fly

Ye of little faith. I promised Thursday and Thursday I shall deliver... even if it's in the wee hours ;) I burn the midnight oil for you...

*croaks* must upload *croaks*

Chapter 59: I Swatted A Fly

*Austin's POV*

I crawled across the stage, taking my time to really build the suspense with each movement. Will he keel over and die?

That's what the audience needs to think.

To believe.

I extended my hand outwards, giving it a little tremble for good effect.

I made eye contact with him. The unwitting math boy that Luke wanted me to remove. 

See, Gloria said I was made for the stage and I refused to believe her. But now, I was starting to think I could really have a backup career in this.

I coughed, head down towards the rough wooden stage floor.

Do we have a drama club at this school?

Maybe I can sign up. 

"You," I croaked, reaching back out again with gusto, "Save me." 

Then, with a giant swoosh, I twisted round and collapsed on my back, staring upwards towards the harsh white lights and waited.

3...

2...

Someone needs to turn these lights down.

No wonder Millie was doing poorly. She's getting blinded up here.

1...

I swatted a fly.

"Are you ok?"

Bingo.

The boy came to his knees next to me, raising my head in his arms like we were acting out Romeo and Juliet.

I reached out with way more energy than I was meant to have as a dying man and whispered, "One thousand dollars for you to leave this competition."

He gasped, taken aback, staring at me as the words sunk in. I think he clocked that I wasn't really choking.

I choked for good measure.

"Are you bribing me?" he whispered back.

"Yes. Two thousand. Take it," I immediately went up in price.

I'm a good negotiator. Start low. Sell high. 

I didn't have much time before others would come.

I watched this guy think for a minute.

How is this not an immediate yes? You'd have to pay me to compete in this thing in the first place.

He really looked conflicted.

"Ten thousand," he said.

I looked at Chad. 

"Five," I negotiated back.

We were running out of time.

"Deal."

I collapsed back on the ground and subtly gave him a handshake, before dear sweet innocent Millie came to my aid.

**

*Millie's POV*

There was something fishy about this.

Not genuinely fishy because Austin always smelt good, like a clean aquatic cent with a touch of something earthy, like cedar or something