Team!
CRINGE. How does one sound normal via text?
Hey!
That’ll do. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Arthur smirking with each backspace.
Hey! How are you both going? There’s no events on this Friday—would you be keen on some drinks? Totally fine if you’ve already got something on. I know Fridays fill up quickly. Or if you just want to stay in. Sorry, this text is way too long.
Oh God, send before I do anything stupid.
‘That text is way too long,’ Arthur says. Ignore him.
The three dots of doom. Disappear. Reappear. But I have to look super chill and cool in front of Arthur, so I should probably just lock my phone. The sound is on, it’ll ding when I get a text.
Stop checking the lock screen, Gertie.
Ding!
I open my phone too eagerly, which gives away the whole game.
Are you drunk?
That’s Nicole.
Hmm, probably not
Reg’s turn.
Maybe she had a fight with The Manager and
needs the backup friends.
Ouch.
‘Do you think I’m still drunk?’ I ask. Arthur gets up and goes to our room. Comes back with a nauseated look on his face, suggesting a stamina in William I hadn’t anticipated, and holds out a portable breathalyser.
No, my mate’s portable breatho says I’m down to 0.03
She has friends other than Bianca?
How come they didn’t get ghosted? Are they
more special than us?
I can feel the hurt behind Nicole’s snark.
I’m sorry. Without qualifications. You were both so welcoming and then I just completely dropped the ball. If you’re willing to give me another chance, I won’t screw it up this time.
‘What’s taking so long?’ Arthur’s trying to read over my shoulder. I can feel his breath on my neck, and I shiver.
‘Shush, we both know I’m grovelling.’
The dots again.
What do you think, Reg?
The poor girl’s new to having friends (plural).
