Chapter 6

Miri continues sending me confused glances with the occasional smirk mixed in as she watches me messaging someone. If anyone saw my phone, they’d think I was talking to a girl, based on how Beck’s name on the social media we have for each other is Rebecca with a flower emoji.

Pretty sure peoples’ first impression of Rebecca🌸 isn’t Beck, the tall burly guy. Talking of tall burly guys, when my phone pings gently again, I smile slightly at how Beck tries to keep the conversation going.

Rebecca🌸: I’m at work but there’s no customers so I’m just hanging around and messaging you :)

Rebecca🌸: Do you have a job or are you a student full-time?

I knew Rebecca has a job; we established that she finished uni last year and started working. I still don’t know where Beck works though.

Griffin🦅: nah I’m just a student

Griffin🦅: what do you do for work?

“Hey Fin, how’s that assignment going? Looks like there’s something awfully fascinating on your phone there,” Miri laughs, raising an eyebrow at my still empty work in front of me. “You’re the one who suggested I sleep, I’m just doing something more fun than sleeping,” I huff, but I’m not actually annoyed.

Well, I’m slightly annoyed, but not at Miri. She pisses me off half the time, but that’s because she deliberately pushes my buttons. No, I’m just perpetually annoyed from having to sit next to Rodger. I can’t believe I used to like the guy, I must’ve had something seriously wrong with me.

“Oh really? You texting a cute guy?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and I roll my eyes, despite it being the truth. “I’m messaging my friend Rebecca. Got a problem with that?” I ask airily, waiting for Beck to message me back.

Miri nudges my shoulder, nodding in the direction of my phone. “Wow, seriously?! I better not be replaced as your number one female friend,” she says jokingly. I snort, tapping her forehead. “What, you jealous?”

Miri rolls her eyes, before looking me dead in the eyes, and fluttering her lashes. “Maybe I am…I hope I don’t cry…” I click my tongue at her, pushing her face away from me whilst she just laughs. Ignoring her as she continues to pester me, she eventually gives up and pays attention to her work again.

And then my phone pings. Perfect timing.

Rebecca🌸: My aunt owns a lingerie store, I work stocking the shelves...or hangers, I guess

I stare at my phone in disbelief. Beck. Works. At. A. Lingerie. Store?!!!! Whipping round to face Miri, I poke her arm. “Mm?” She asks, peeling her eyes away from her essay. “Have you ever seen a 6’3 buff dude working in a lingerie store?”

Miri stares at me, before an explosive laugh threatens to disturb everyone in the library, and she clamps a hand over her mouth. “Absolutely not, I mean I literally don’t use lingerie stores or whatever, but I’m pretty sure they always have nice, friendly looking ladies working there.”

I nod contemplatively. “That’s what I thought too. Huh. Interesting,” I muse, whilst Miri just raises her eyebrows at me, before going back to her own work.

Griffin🦅: wow wasn’t expecting that lmao

Griffin🦅: do you like working there?

This time, Beck responds fairly quickly, and we get a nice and chill conversation going back and forth.

Rebecca🌸: Yeah haha I guess I don’t really fit the scene

Rebecca🌸: I do like it though, my aunt is like a big sister and she’s super nice, and so are the other people working there. They’re all very accepting

I smile to myself, I’m glad he likes his job, he’s a really optimistic person, unless Rebecca’s whole attitude is a lie. I don’t think it is.

Griffin🦅: neat! I’m glad everyone’s nice

Griffin🦅: so uh, do you have any hobbies other than gaming?

Rebecca🌸: I really like boxing actually, I used to do it with my dad but now I practice on my own

Wow. Ok. This man is full of surprises. That explains why he’s fit though. Fit in both senses of the word. Shut up, Griffin.

Griffin🦅: really? That’s cool

Rebecca🌸: Thank you :)

Rebecca🌸: What about you? What are some of your other hobbies?

Well, I’ve been playing the piano since I was like two years old, and I got my piano diploma age twelve, so I guess that’s a hobby? Except I hate telling people about my piano playing, and if people ask about music, I say I can’t play any instruments.

I hate when people used to say ‘oh Griffin Tellerson! He’s that music prodigy, it’s no wonder he’s so good!’ I hate that. I used to practice constantly, and I basically had no childhood outside of my music. It really pisses me off when people put my skills not down to my own hard work, but some bullshit concept like ‘talent’.

Griffin🦅: I like reading I guess, but gaming is my biggest hobby

That’s not a lie, reading is fine and gaming is what I spend all my free time doing. When I’m at my parents’ house, I play the piano too, because I get pestered to ‘keep my skills up’ or whatever, but I don’t really consider that to be a hobby I do when at university. Funnily enough, my dorm room doesn’t have a grand piano, and I can’t be bothered to go practice in the music faculty building.

Rebecca🌸: Fair enough, gaming is what I do most too :)

Rebecca🌸: Playing alone was nice, but I much prefer it now I play with you. We make a good team

I smile, hiding my face in my hand slightly. I certainly agree with him there.

Griffin🦅: I think so too :)

Griffin🦅: we’re a good team I mean

Griffin🦅: and it’s more fun playing with you than on my own

Rebecca🌸: I’m glad you think so too :)

Rebecca🌸: Anyway I need to go now, but it was nice talking to you =]

Griffin🦅: it was yeah :) good luck at work

Rebecca🌸: Thank you, good luck with your assignment :)

I’ll be honest, I’m a bit disappointed that he has to go now, but I need to actually do my work too, so this probably works out for the best anyway. Rodger touches my arm and I cringe away from him, glancing over for some kind of reason for him touching me again.

“Well I’m off now, Griff. See you later! We should hang out again soon, it’s been a while. You free next weekend?”

No I’m fucking not, dickhead.

Pulling my arm away from him, I shake my head. “No, I’m going on a date.” The words slip out before I mean them too; Beck and I have’t technically decided on a day yet, but oh well. The surprise on his face is priceless, but Miri’s reaction is even more satisfying.

“Oh my God YES!!!! Who is he??? What’s he like??? How do you know him??? Do you have a picture?! Oh my- I’m so excited!” Miri exclaims and I just smile awkwardly. “Not anyone you know, so it doesn’t matter. Anyway bye Rodger. Good luck with the rest of your assignment.”

Rodger looks pissed, but I just shrug off his interrogative stare, turning back to my assignment and actually starting it this time.