A Locked Box

Chapter 7

   Something warm and a cream smell wafted up from under her nose. Kat looked up, following the hand extended to her. Devin smiled down at her. "You bought me coffee?" she mumbled as she took the cup from him.

   "Yes, you look like you needed a kickstart," he said, amused.

   Kat rolled her eyes but sipped it. She would take free coffee any day.

   "So can this be our peace treaty?" Devin asked, sipping his own cup of coffee. They were seated in the cafeteria, the second half of the day ahead of them.

   "We need a peace treaty?" Kat asked, surprised by the question. She was too tired to be sarcastic and something in Devin's tone made her want to pry.

   Devin narrowed his eyes. "I thought you hated me?"

   "I hate everyone," she said, taking a long drink. "That's just who I am,"

   "So you don't hate me?"

   "Last time I checked, you, Mr. Stalker, is a part of the noun 'everyone'," Kat said, the caffeine kicking in.

   Devin chuckled. "And there's the sarcasm,"

   Kat smirked. "It never leaves for very long,"

   "I'm quickly learning that," Devin replied, picking at the edge of his coffee lid.

   "So, you want a peace treaty?" Kat asked, still smirking.

   "Well, if it's needed," Devin looked up from his lid.

   "I'll make you a deal,"

   Devin nodded for her to go on.

   "If you buy me food every day then I'll consider your company,"

   "So if I'm hearing you right, you want me to buy you food every day until you stop hating me?" Devin asked incredulously.

"When you put it like that it sounds like blackmail," she said jokingly.

   Devin chuckled. Kat cracked a smile. "Alright," he agreed after a second of silence.

   Kat smiled. "Good," she moved to stand up.

   "On one condition," Devin looked up at her. He held up one long, skinny finger.

   Kat raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you understand the rules of a deal," she moved to be inches from his face. "I propose an idea and you agree or decline. As simple as that,"

   Devin held her gaze. "But a deal is two-sided. If one of the participants demands such a large demand like the one you proposed, they can form a compromise,"

   "I'm not the type to compromise," Kat said, her voice low and dark.

   Devin still held her gaze. He sure had guts. He smiled. "Well, I guess you won't get free food,"

   Kat clenched her fist in frustration. He was really testing his patience. After a moment of staring at each other, neither backing down, Kat sat back down. "Fine," she said reluctantly.

   Devin smiled in triumph. "My one condition is that every time I buy you food, you answer one question that I ask you truthfully,"

   Kat groaned. "This is definitely blackmail," she mumbled to herself.

   "You were the one who started it," Devin said, obviously hearing her.

   Kat leaned her head back, groaning in indignation. After a moment of staring up at the ceiling, she agreed. Ignoring Devin's cheer of victory, she stood and started towards the exit.