• BURN ME •

• 7

Just Pretend

~ Bad Omens

Flame

I still can't believe the tryouts were so easy. And the look on Carter's face when I beat his times was indescribably satisfying. I run my hand through my messy hair and sit up; my dad wanted to talk to me in a few minutes. He made that clear through all the messages on my phone. I have no idea what this is about. After I get up, I move toward my door. As I walk past Sophia's room, I hear her and Snowflake laughing. Because Sophia invited him to celebrate his birthday. She even got our dad to let her use the club. I roll my eyes and knock on my dad's closed office door before going in and sitting down in front of his desk. Like I always do when he calls me over. He looks up at me from his computer, "you're late..." I roll my eyes, well, it's probably because I don't really want to be here. I shrug my shoulders, I know that my attitude really pisses him off. He sighs in annoyance, "King said he would get a special delivery and would come pick it up personally at the airport. I want you to take care of it. I don't know exactly when, but he'll call beforehand... got it?" he rattles off, I nod slightly. "Good, then there's the courier trip in two months, are you doing that with Nacho? Or should I plan for someone else?" I look at him and nod slightly. Before I grab a piece of paper and write on it that I'll do it together with Nacho. He reads the paper and nods, "but be careful, the Vipers have their eye on us. These guys are trying everything to weaken us. They're no longer satisfied with the territory they have, they want more... just be careful, OK?" I nod slightly, as if I didn't already know that. Suddenly the door opens and Sophia pulls Snow behind her, Snowflake looks a little out of place. "Dad... we have a problem," she says in Spanish, while Snow frowns. And he probably thinks we're planning his murder.

Our father looks at her, "What's wrong, my little one?" he asks her in our native language, my gaze stays on Snow, who looks confusedly between Sophia and my father. "Aiden didn't know about the study trip, it wasn't paid for him. Liv and I don't want to go without him." Snowflake looks at me and pulls a questioning face, well, it's stupid that he doesn't understand her. My father sighs quietly, "And what do we do now?" he asks her, although it's obvious what she wants. "Can't we pay for him... he would pay it back, he's looking for a job anyway. He could work in the club, as a bartender or waiter." She pouts and looks pleadingly at our father, who pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Like he always does when he's thinking or stressed. "You want him to come with you?" he asks her, she nods vigorously, "yes, he could just sleep in Flame's room, that would be a solution." I blink in confusion and look away from Snow, what? He should sleep in my room? Is she crazy? I run my hand through my hair, our father speaks up again. "Okay..." he turns his head to Snowflake, it was obvious that he would say yes to that. After all, Sophia is his little princess, I sigh deeply. "Do you have experience as a waiter?" he asks him, not in Spanish this time, the white-haired man looks at him in surprise. "Uh... a little yes, why?" Sophia grins, "like I said, I've arranged it. You're coming with me on the study trip, and I've found a job for you straight away." Snow looks at her in confusion, "wait what?" she smiles while he looks at her in confusion. "Like I said, my family has clubs, and we're always looking for employees." The white-haired man looks at my father, "that's really very generous sir, but you don't have to do that. It's no problem for me if I don't go..." my father laughs, but it doesn't reach his eyes, "I don't mind as long as my daughter is happy. And if she wants you to come along, then I'll sort it out. Besides, we really need a few more hands in the club." Aiden nods slightly, "uh okay... then I'll be happy to help," he smiles slightly and then looks at my sister, "when is this trip anyway?" she grins, "Friday next week... didn't anyone tell you?" the white-haired man sighs. "It was probably sent to my uncle's address. And he didn't mention it, like most things lately." Comes from his lips, Sophia smiles. "Oh come on, I have to show you something else." She pulls Snowflake out of the room behind her, my father looks at me seriously. "Keep an eye on him, I don't want her to get hurt..." I nod slightly, but internally I roll my eyes.