Page 5 of The Pretender

Aspen rises from her squat and gives me a slight squeeze. “We’ll get it back, Vee. In the meantime, you can pull the chair from my room to sit outside.”

It’s a sweet offer. “Thank you, but I’ll be okay for a couple of nights without it. I think it’s supposed to rain anyway.”

I don’t know if it is or not, but I think it makes us both feel better.

“Let’s go before he gets home.” Sebastian and I might play these games with each other but that doesn’t mean he won’t report a break-in, just for shits and giggles.

Aspen nods and heads out. “I’ll make sure the coast is clear.”

I barely muster a smile. “Thanks. I’ll be right behind you.”

When Aspen is gone, I take one final look at my chair. “I will come back for you,” I tell it. “I’ll negotiate with the terrorist. He’ll wish he had never taken you.”

It’s the truth; I feel nothing but pure determination when I march out of the bathroom and back into Sebastian’s bedroom, where I pounce on his bed and snag the pillow I know the diva can’t sleep without.

Yeah, he’s weird and has the sleep habits of an eighty-year-old retiree. I stuff the memory foam under my arm and make my way to Aspen but then I spot his tripod. Since Sebastian lost his cameraman, he’s been filming his videos himself. Yes, they look terrible, but you can’t blame someone for not wanting to work with Bash-hole. He might act like a lazy housecat, but when he has an idea, he’ll film all night until he gets the perfect shot. Just ask his neighbors.

Stuffing his tripod under his bed, between several plastic storage containers, I hurry back to the bathroom and retrieve the note he left for me. I scratch out his shitty comments and write below:

You’re right. I’ll have to come back with my bolt cutters. Sweet dreams, bro.

Vee

Short and simple,just what Sebastian needs in order to understand my message. Having his most prized possession in my hand, I sprint from his room where I find Aspen chest deep in his fridge. “You ready to go?”

She pulls her head out and closes the refrigerator. “I’m ready.”

Her gaze focuses on Sebastian’spreciouspillowunder my arm. “Was that the best you could steal? His pillow?”

I shrug. “I was in a hurry. Besides, I need something to bargain with.”

Her eyes narrow. I’m not sure if she’s suspicious or tired. “And you think he’ll negotiate for a pillow?”

I grin. I know he will.

CHAPTERTWO

Valentina

University CamFlix Competition Submission

Entry Number: 75

Sebastian and Valentina

First Interview Continued, or also known as that fifteen minutes that I didn’t vomit in Sebastian’s lap

“So this war… Who started it?”

I fight a glare at Sebastian and smile sweetly at Tom. “Sebastian did.” I rub the jerk’s knee in faux affection. He’s sitting so close I feel claustrophobic. “At the time, I didn’t know that crashing my video was his subtle way of flirting.” I grin and revel in watching Sebastian’s smile fall into a frown. “It was so immature it was cute.”

I should have known he wouldn’t take that comment without adding a little payback.

“Oh, Tom,” Sebastian interrupts, pulling me to his chest, squeezing my hip in a silent threat. “Don’t let her fool you. Interrupting her video was a public service. No one should have been subjected—Ow!”

I smile at Tom, sliding my hand out of Sebastian’s shirt, where I’m sure I left a mark on his side. “What he means is that my videos haven’t always been about makeup.”

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