Page 39 of Tricky Girls

‘Fuck that!’ She kicks a leg of the tripod, causing it to collapse. ‘I want a rematch.’

‘No rematches, sorry.’ Happy enough with the shots, I pick up the tripod. ‘I think we should start that shot from that end. Then we won’t get that pink wall in it.’

We start off back down the corridor, Elly relieving me of the equipment.

When I glance at Haz, she’s still glowering.

‘Dude, chill,’ I laugh. ‘Believe me, that was better than any date I’ve been on with a guy. You did good.’

‘Damn right I did.’ With a grin she picks me up, swinging me round and round.

My stomach goes all funny like I’m on a rollercoaster and I scream out, finding purchase on her broad shoulders.

She’s so strong, her grip on me almost punishing. There’s something reassuringly steady in it, the broken edges of myself clinking back together for just a second.

Then she bounces off a wall, losing her footing. ‘Oh, shit.’

My breath stutters as we crash into a door. It flies open and she stumbles further.

There’s a gasp, then the unmistakable sound of Ryan’s voice shouting, ‘Fucking get out!’

I’m dizzy and breathless from the spinning. I drag hair out of my face, looking round.

We’re in Natasha’s room.

And there they are. In bed. One hundred percent fucking.

I remain there frozen. I can’t move. Even breathing’s a struggle.

There’s hatred in Ryan’s eyes as he flings back the quilt. Covering himself with a t-shirt, he pushes me out of the room.

I stumble but Haz grabs me, pulling me tighter when I try to flee.

‘Please get off me.’

She holds me tighter. ‘No.’

I put my hands over my face, hiding my eyes from the fluorescent lights shining a spotlight on the shit show of my life.

Not that I hadn’t fully expected that to be happening but to see it, full on witnessing the boy I think I still love fucking my best friend who Idefinitelystill love, just kind of hits different.

‘Fuck my life,’ I breathe into my hands, willing back the tears burning my eyes.

I feel Elly stroking my back, her touch more humiliating than comforting. I step out of Haz’s arms just in time for Natasha’s door to fly open again.

Ryan’s dressed this time, but that fury’s still in his eyes.

‘Fucking sick bitch.’

Elly steps in front of me. ‘Hey, back off, man.’

Ryan points his finger at her.‘Fuck off.’

He turns back to me. ‘Stalking now, hm?’

‘What? No, that was an accident,’ I stammer out.

‘Just fuck off Tilda. Jesus!’ He flings up his hands. ‘Why are you even still here?’

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