Page 26 of Bully

Me: I'm not sure if it's a trope per se. But I agree. It sucks. Unless she hates the ex.

Angel: I guess I could maybe be okay with that.

Me: I'm trying to find something to read. I’m bored.

It’s still early. I checked the time. I’m sure Nikolai won’t be back until the middle of the night.

Angel: Same.

Angel: Where is your man?

Me: Work

Angel: You should come over. We can hang out and watch reality TV garbage.

Me: I don’t think I have really watched reality TV.

I never watched much TV at all. Mona would get me to watch movies from time to time, but more often than not, my eyes were glued to a book. I find it much more satisfying imagining the scenes and characters in my head.

Angel: WHAT! You must come over. I’ll prepare snacks.

I check the time again. It’s only seven. This would be a way to keep building this friendship I’m making with Angel. I’m just not sure I can leave.

Me: Let me check. BRB

I go in search of Sal, whom I left in the kitchen, eating some of the dinner I had left over.

“Is it good?” I ask when I enter the kitchen.

“Yeah.” He shows me his now empty plate.

“So I’ve got a question.”

“All right, hit me.”

“Am I allowed to like, go places?”

When I lived with my father, we couldn't do anything. We barely left the estate we lived on unless it was some sort of engagement he needed us to show our faces for.

“Why? What are you thinking?” Sal seems a bit apprehensive.

“Just a friend's house,” I quickly explain.

“A friend?” I nod. “Does Nikolai know this friend?” I roll my eyes. Of course that’s the first thing he would ask.

“Yes, it’s a girl. We have a book club together, and Nikolai is always there.”

“Nikolai is in a book club.”

“No!” I laugh. “He just hangs around the library after school while I do it. He’s my ride.”

“I don’t see why not, but I’ll need to clear it with Matteo.” Sal pulls out his phone. I watch as he clicks away. A few seconds later, my phone starts to ring. The screen displays my sister's name.

“Hey,” I say, answering it.

"You want to go out?"

"Wow, that was fast spreading." I laugh. "It's with a friend from school. I really like her. She asked me to come over and watch reality TV.”

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