Page 41 of For the Plot
“Do younotlike a kiss in the rain?” Collins turned to me incredulously.
“Dude, come on,” Will chipped in. “Spider-man?The Notebook? It’s literally a classic.”
“Hey!” I held my hands up in defense. “I never said I didn’t!”
Will shook his head at me. “Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm.”
“Damn, why are you coming after Nikki like that?” Collins pretended to glare at me, crossing his arms over his chest.
Nikki copied him, pouting at me. “Yeah, James, why’d you come after me?” She put the slightest emphasis on "come" when she spoke, a teasing glint in her eye, and I sent her a dirty look.
“You’re all assholes,” I grumbled, sulking into my seat and looking away so the guys didn’t see the grin I couldn’t hide.
Remembering that I was supposed to be figuring out when Collins would be on shift, I did some mental calculations. The next time he went back on shift was October first and second. A few episodes of our favorite reality dating show, and a few sneaky questions later, and I got it out of Will that he’d be covering a game late on the second. I pulled out my phone and shot Nikki a text.
October 2nd. You, me, this dick, that pussy
You’re a fucking dork*cry laughing emoji*
Emphasis on the fucking*winking emoji*
25
Nikki
Talk Too Much - Reneé Rapp
Istaredattheblank page in front of me, willing the words to magically appear. It was the same routine as always. I told myself I was going to write. I sat in front of the computer. Istared at the blank pages, fragments of sentences floating in and out of my mind, all of them too slippery to latch onto and form into actual sentences. And then I gave up, pulled my phone to scroll for a five-minute brain break, and was still here, hours later, doing abso-fucking-lutely nothing.
Just type, Nikki. Type anything, anything at all,I pleaded with my own brain. I swear some days, it was like I was just in the passenger seat of my own mind, watching ten squirrels in a jumpsuit attempting to act normal. Pretty sure there was nothing normal about that, or even thoughts of that, if I was being totally honest.
My phone dinged with a text, and I sighed with relief, finally having a real reason to ignore the blank page in front of me. It was the family group chat, starting with a message from my twin.
Noah
Family dinner night bitches (non derogatory), who’s in this week?
Robyn
Oh let me check my very busy schedule, ok yep I’m free
Noah
*middle finger emoji*
Ezra
Sorry, not tonight. I’m working.
Probably? Trying (and failing) to write at the moment
Alex
Guess I’ve got nothing better to do
Noah
You bitches (derogatory)
