Page 24 of Mixing Drinks For Tipsy Weasels

"Oh, we were just talking about the paint spillage the other week," Erica half-lies. "And that it could have been a lot worse."

From the expression on Robin's face, I don't think they believe us, but if we both stay quiet about the real topic of conversation, then we'll be fine.

"Look, I was actually coming to find you, Erica. I'm sorry about the incident at drinks the other day. The bar staff didn't really have a good explanation for how it happened, but you should never have been served alcohol when you said you didn't want it," Robin says.

Erica shrugs. "It's not the end of the world. Rupert helped me sober up."

"I know. But it was completely unacceptable. Though luckily for us, it has meant that they're now giving us the welcome drinks for free. So it's all ended well in the end." They smile and head further into the room to examine all of the decorations.

"So, you getting drunk was worth it because now there are free drinks," I say.

"I wasn't drunk, I was tipsy at best."

"You were definitely drunk. You told me I was cute when I smiled and then turned into a weasel while sitting at the table, you were lucky that no one was paying us much attention and that the academy doesn't really care much about shifting."

She groans and puts a hand on her forehead. "It was bad, wasn't it?"

"Not as bad as the not-really-an-apology from the bar. It wasn't a disaster because nothing bad happened, but what if they'd ignored an allergy?"

She grimaces. "Yeah, that's not good."

"And that's the real reason you getting a bit tipsy has resulted in free drinks. It was on the same form as my allergy, and if they'd ignored that, there could have been far worse consequences." I don't like thinking about it too much. My EpiPen was in my pocket, but it wouldn't have been ideal to have had to have used it.

"Well, I'm going to enjoy my free non-alcoholic drink when we arrive at the ball on Friday night," she says. "And I'll know that I put in the work so Robin didn't have to pay for it."

I chuckle. "Same."

She pulls out her phone and frowns. "I need to go. But I'll see you Friday, right?"

I nod. "Wouldn't miss it, especially after we put this much work into it."

"Can't have it all go to waste," she responds, waving as she turns and heads towards the exit.

I watch her leave, trying to ignore the sense of disappointment growing within me about the fact I don't get to talk to her for longer. It's a strange feeling, and one I never really expected to have towards Erica so I don't really know how to deal with it.

I put my hand in my pocket and touch the bouncy ball, a smile coming to my face as I do. It's a sweet gesture from her, especially when we already cleared the air, and it makes me feel as if the past can actually be put behind us, even if it turns out it should have been there long ago.

Now all I have to do is figure out how much I want to keep her in my life, and exactly what capacity that's going to be in.

Chapter 12

Erica

My phone buzzesfor what feels like the hundredth time this evening, but that's to be expected with everyone getting ready for the ball.

I pick it up, slightly disappointed to find that it's not Rupert messaging me even though I know he doesn't really have a reason to.

I open up the message, smiling to see that Mandy has sent me a photo of her in her dress with the markings on her back completely on display. I'm not exactly sure what they mean, but they have something to do with her succubi side, and judging from her comments when we were dress shopping, she hasn't really shown them off like this before.

I type out a quick reply telling her that she looks great and that I'll see her at the ball and drop my phone onto the bed so I can continue getting ready.

The pink dress from my sister's shop is hanging over my wardrobe door and I run my hand down the fabric. It's going tolook great on me, and I'll feel even better knowing that I helped Danielle in order to get it.

I can't believe that after weeks of work, the ball is actually here, though there's a part of me that wishes there was still prep time so I could spend more time with Rupert, but that's probably something I'm better offnotdwelling on, especially when I don't know what it means for either me, or for the future of our friendship.

A knock sounds on my door, becoming a welcome distraction from the direction of my thoughts.

"Come in," I call.

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