𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 | 𝗦𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

40. Third Time's The Charm

I swung my legs back and forth, sitting on the wooden plank nailed to a steel beam beneath the bleachers. I hummed a random tune, staring down at my phone as I entered the Purple Bank in $₽¥ Money. I was so glad I didn't have to keep asking for my Moms or Whitney's phone to play games since I used to have an ancient flip phone.

A banner came down from the top of the screen, a message from Waverley. I paused the game and switched over to messenger, reading her text.

Waverley E: Tom Hiddleston or Tom Holland?

I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

Ariana Coopers: How dare you make me choose between them...?! Tom Holland—I'm sorry Tom Hiddleston, it's nothing personal.

Waverley E: Hahaha! I know you prefer savoury, but what is your favourite kind of sweet?

Ariana Coopers: Reece's Pieces & Watermelon lollipops. Yours?

Waverley E: JAFFA CAKES! They're from Australia. I absolutely love them! And Cadbury Dairy Milk plain chocolate.

The Nightmares shoes crunched against the gravel and I internally groaned.

Ariana Coopers: I've gotta' date with Hell. I'll catch you later. Your cousin and his demon henchmen are coming to make their daily visit.

Waverley E: Girl, if they a lay one finger on you, tell me! I'll be there soon. I'm coming to give them a piece of my mind!

Ariana Coopers: Chill, Wavey. They haven't done anything yet, they're still walking towards me like everyone should worship the ground they walk on, looking all cliché and bad. Ttyl.

I shut off my phone and glanced up as the Nightmares stopped in front of me. "To what do I owe this totally unexpected visit?" I exclaimed sarcastically.

"Why do you still hang out here?" Cornelius asked. "Why not find a new place to hide out?"

"Because that would be too much work and I'm me. I'd rather just think of a stupid plan that will get me in more trouble later."

The Nightmares shrugged in understanding.

"So, what did you have for lunch?" Dillon asked casually.

I stared at him glumly. "Are you going to make this a daily thing now? Seriously? Why did I even tell you about my problems?! You're the worlds worst therapist! Look, you know I'm poor, I know Cornelius is poor, that was a mistake to say, you're going to beat me up now, I'm going to keep starving everyday and—oh, is that my dad calling? I have to go."

Dillon laughed humourlessly as he gripped my shoulders, staring me down. "You can never just keep your mouth shut, can you?"

"Back onto the topic of me starving, oh poor me, whatever shall I do? If you have a hundred dollars to spare, I'll gladly take it, because I'm starting to see two of you I'm so hungry." I said bringing my hand up to my forehead as I pretended to faint.

Dillon glowered.

"I'm joking, I'm joking, I'm not even that hungry. No need to go all protective bully on me and "teach me a lesson" because you think I'm doing unintentional self harm. Hey, I just realised, since Cornelius apparently starves sometimes, does that mean you beat him up because he's technically doing unintentional self harm?"