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‘So, what happened in the finale?’

Ah. Right. VVV.

‘Well.’ I click my tongue. ‘I don’t mean to brag.’

‘But you will…’ he drawls.

I kick my feet out in front of me and stretch my back. Advanced bragging requires stretching first. ‘I called it.’

‘No. He didn’t,’ he says, unbelieving.

‘He did.’

‘He didn’t.’ And then, more to himself, ‘Could he?’

‘He went with Stacey P,’ I confirm.

‘He’s an idiot.’ Walker throws up his hands.

‘He is. But then, most men are.’

Walker makes a face like he’s just smelt something rotten. ‘Stacey T. was the obvious choice.’

‘Right?!’

‘A light bender, no less.’

‘I know, and that arse.’

Walker pauses mid crash-out to look at me like I’m a degenerate. ‘Is no one safe from your objectification?’

‘Nope,’ I say unapologetically. ‘I am an equal opportunist.’

Fuck I’m hungry, I could really go some⁠—

A bowl of salt-and-vinegar chips magics into my lap. That’s a handy little trick. I offer one to Walker. He declines. ‘It’s not real, you know. You’re still going to wake up hungry.’

‘Mmm,’ I moan. ‘But it tastes so good in the moment.’ I lick my fingers. Walker readjusts how he’s sitting, ‘What are you doing up here, anyway?’ I ask around a mouthful of salty confectionery.

‘You mean in my room?’

I nod.

He runs his hand through his hair and exhales noisily. ‘I was taking a moment to unwind.’

‘You can continue whatever it was you were doing before I got here.’

‘I prefer to do it without an audience,’ he says, pointedly looking at me.

‘Why?’ I’ll crack him. Crunch.

‘Because.’

‘Because why?’ I’m wearing him down already. Crunch.

‘Because I value my privacy.’

‘What are you tryna keep private?’ Crunch, crunch. Annoying Walker and snacks to watch? This really is a dream come true.