Page 8 of Tricky Girls

A chuckle sounds from behind the mask, breaking the spell she’s woven. She steps away just as someone throws the light back on.

‘Been punching trees again?’ Haz says, beelining for the snacks on the table.

I glance back at the girl who’s now removed her mask, bloodied hand paused in her short hair.

If I thought Ghostface was menacing, it’s nothing compared to the look she’s giving me now.

Cold.

Dark.

Furious.

She points a finger at me like a dagger. ‘Get that out of my house.’

‘Ourhouse.’ Hand deep inside a packet of crisps, Haz leers. ‘And why would I get rid ofthat?’

‘Because I fucking said so, that’s why.’

‘Calm down.’ I frown, my hackles rising. ‘I’ve done fuck all to you.’

The girl laughs darkly, grabbing a can of cider from the fridge. She keeps her back to me as she cracks the top and chugs half of it down. ‘Fuck all, hey?’

‘I don’t even know you, so yeah.’ I turn to Elly as she enters the kitchen, my ire soaring. ‘You know what, I think I prefer purgers to Ghostface—’

The words stall in my throat when the girl whips back around. Eyes murderous, she herds me towards the front door. ‘Get thefuck…out of my house.’

‘Come on, man,’ Elly cajoles, Haz’s face behind her remaining passively amused as she munches on her crisps.

The cold swarms in as the door slams in my face. Stumbling over the front step, I put my arms around myself. My stomach twists, feeling nauseous. Tears prick my eyes as I shiver. I’ve crashed hard, my booze high waned. I should be in bed by now but… Thinking of Ryan and Natasha, I reluctantly turn away from the lodge.

‘Psst.’

Rotating my head, I spot Elly hanging out an upper floor window. ‘Sorry about Nic. She’s tetchy when she’s tired.’

I snort, not buying that. Her anger could rival Ryan’s. ‘What’s her problem?’

‘Dunno, but she’s got plenty so don’t take it personally.’

Sighing, I look over my shoulder at the pitch-black woods I have to walk through again.

‘You good getting home? Nic’s barring the door.’

‘Yeah, I’ll manage.’

‘Sweet.’ She leans further out the window, dangling something from it. ‘Hey, here, catch this.’

I hold my hands out, letting the jacket fall into them. It’s corduroy, the navy cotton feeling like velvet between my fingers.

‘For the walk back. Check the pocket.’

I dig around, pulling out a phone.

‘My number’s there. Text me.’

I tut. ‘I’m straight, Elly.’

‘And I’m hot for you, so text me.’

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