It’s just past five thirty–which just happens to be when my weather app says the sun is due to officially set—and I’ve had exactly that long to regret my impulsiveness. Because it’s been three days since we went to Golden Night, as it’s been dubbed online, and I have indeed stayed feral.
I’ve tried to ignore the posts—I even went so far as uninstalling theCrumblesapp and trying to learn how to block it from my phone entirely. Obviously, I failed. Miserably. I lasted half a day, and then I started getting recommendations for their videos on a completely different app.I’d say it is the Gods testing my resolve, but I’m not a witch earning my powers and really, it’s just the dumbass algorithms.
There’s nothing fated about Nikolo and me. OrNikkias Kai calls him. The pet name leaves a sour taste on my tongue. According to Finn, Kai and Nikolo used to fool around. I thought that Finn would be insecure about that—self confidence is one of his great life lessons—but he’s surprisingly chill about it. It makesmyjealousy look twice as pitiful.
Years ago I thought Nikolo was my destiny. I wassureof it. Not that I ever told anyone, because Aleksi definitely would have tried to keep us even further apart. At one point, I thought my brother had a thing for him, too. That was an awkward winter. I kept putting crushed up chafe berry leaves in his food. They aren’t dangerous; they just make everything taste a bit gross and your tongue itchy. Then my brother got his first girlfriend and I realised he wasn’t into guys at all, and the strange illness that plagued my brother all winter long mysteriously cleared up.
Eventually, Nikolo started dating, too. On the one hand, he went out with boys in between some of the girls, which gave my stupid pubescent heart hope. On the other hand, none of those boys he ever looked at were me. So I grew up, and I got over it.
Well, not entirely over it, because here I am, wasting a perfectly good day off waiting for a message from someone who is clinically, if not magically, dead.
I close the messaging app and switch over to my food ordering app. If I’m going to lie here all night I’m going to need to eat.
Nikolo
Yeah, I think my mum told me about the mating. Triplets, though? That’s… a lot.
The message comes through just as I’ve finished ordering. Which is perfect timing because food is going to be awhile.
I know! I wonder if the kids are going to be just as good looking as they are or if their genetics will cancel each other out and the kids will just have to have fantastic personalities?
Ha! Who knows. Maybe the genetics will combine and they will create a Trifecta of Doom—three beings so unnaturally hot that their existence destroys the world.
Hopefully they end up with their parents’ skills in the mage department. For the good of all being kind.
I laugh out loud and then snap my mouth shut. I didn’t expect Nikolo to be funny. Or snark back. Rickelle and Sean were known for being the two most good looking beings on the mountain. From the day they were born, both within weeks of each other, they were lauded for their looks.
Which is good for them, honestly, because they couldn’t magic their way out of a wet paper bag.
I’ll light a candle with our pleas tonight.
I pause, one thumb hovering over the phone's keyboard, the other between my teeth where I ruthlessly gnaw at my nail bed.
What are you up to tonight? Are you working?
Gods’ tits. What have I done? Why am I trying to make small talk here? Compared to the instant replies I just got, the seconds tick by in long, exaggerated drips. It feels like an eternity beforethe message flicks over toread. And then there isnothing. Not a damned thing.
Forminutes.
Long enough for me to feel like the burning shame on my cheeks is going to be permanent.
I’m just about to pick up my phone to start searching how to create a new identity, when my phone vibrates.
Thank the Gods I live alone because my yelp is loud.
Sorry, just had to jump in the shower.
Well. That’s an image I don’t need.
Not working tonight. Catching up with a friend.
And there’s the dose of cold, hard reality I do need.
Sounds like fun. Have a good night.
You too
Well. There I have it, in black and white on my phone. That was a shutdown if there was ever a shut down.
