Tricky Girls (Girls of Hazelhurst #1)

15. CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

Elly

‘I think we should do a warmup,’ Tilda says, executing a quick runners lunge on the living room floor. ‘We don’t want DADA.’

I watch those legs tighten and flex, able to see the definition of every single muscle. She does like her tight clothing, does Tilda, today wearing black leggings and a crop top. Can’t say I mind much either.

‘We don’t want what now?’

‘DADA. Day After the Day After. You know, when you don’t stretch and the pain hits you not the day after but the day after that. Trust me, it kills.’

‘I trust you. I gym remember. Painful as fuck.’

‘You never stretch. I watch.’

‘You watch, huh?’ I pop into the kitchen to make up a couple of water bottles. We’re not in for a jog or anything, but getting to the top of one of those towers is a workout in itself.

‘Not in a pervy way,’ Tilda assures, trailing me to the sink.

‘Shame.’ I hand her the first bottle, letting her pack it in that black backpack of hers. ‘But I guess any way will do as long as you’re watching.’

‘You spend more time talking to girls,’ she points out.

‘Be my girl and I won’t.’

‘If it helps you with your gym game, I’ll take one for the team.’ She takes my bottle next and adds that to the bag. ‘I’ve got a schedule now. First team isn’t for wimps.’

‘I’ll help spot you,’ I offer.

She snorts. ‘You’ll just be looking at my tits.’

‘But they’re so nice.’

‘Cheers, pal.’

‘Hey, no friend-zoning today. We’re off on a date, remember?’

‘A pretend date. Don’t forget that.’

‘Forgotten, sorry. Completely and utterly forgotten.’ I glance out the window where the sky’s already filled with pink clouds. ‘We better run or this’ll be a waste of time.’

‘What’s in the basket?’ she asks, trying to sneak a peek at the one I’m carrying.

‘See when we get there.’ I let her go ahead out the front door, locking it behind us. God knows where Haz and Nic are at. They’ve been weird lately, all secretive and tight-lipped. Been doing my head in. ‘Ready to have your world rocked?’

‘You and Haz do keep promising that but I’m not seeing much evidence yet.’

‘Time to up our game then.’ I heft the picnic basket on my arm. ‘Starting with tonight.’

Only one of the towers is licitly accessible to students. I think it’s one of those things you do during freshers, leaving with the promise to make it ‘your place’, only to never return again because the gazillion steps are just fucking awful.

But I’d do it for this girl, fake date or not.

As we pass through the quad, the huge Christmas tree’s being erected, baubles the size of my head dotting the grass. Hazelhurst during the festive season is a special kind of magic. For just a few short weeks, the castle’s gothic charm is swapped for traditional warmth. The tree in the quad being the biggest, but there’ll be more dotted around, drooping with the weight of lights and baubles.

‘Got any Christmas plans yet?’

Tilda hums, not sounding all that enthused. She definitely strikes me more as the Halloween type. ‘Not really. You?’

‘Just a wild time at home with the fam. Youngest still believes in Santa so there’s all that going on.’

‘Cute. My mum never bothered.’

I glance at her. ‘Well, that’s sad.’

Tilda smiles. ‘You’re telling me.’

Well, shit. Now I’ve made her sad.

Not that it takes much, I’ve noticed.

I know she’s still cut up about her ex-boyfriend, despite mine and Haz’s teasing.

Just hope she’s not cutting herself up too.

There’s been times I’ve wanted to bring it up, like when she’s lounging around the lodge in those tiny pyjama shorts, those stark pink lines peeking out beneath. But it just never seems to be the right time, and I don’t want to bring attention to something that might be highly private. I don’t know her that well yet.

Something I’m dying to change, bet or no bet.

I try not to think of that dumb piece of paper stashed behind the TV stand in our haste to move Tilda in. It kind of clouds everything. I want to be getting closer to her under my own volition, not just because I’m in some competition with Haz.

It seemed like a bit of fun at that time, that competitive streak of mine tickled. But Tilda’s actually really sad and it feels all kinds of ick to be taking advantage of her for the sake of a bet.

That said, would I be doing this faux date thing if it wasn’t for theirs at Vipers the other night? Probably not.

The east tower looms to our right, silhouetted by the deepening clouds. Purple now. We might just catch the tail end of the sunset if we’re lucky. I think my own funeral might be the thing I’m finally in time for.

We enter through the giant front doors, pulled fully open at this time of day. The Christmas tree in here isn’t up yet, the odd Halloween dec still around. Vaulted ceilings loom over us, the university’s emblem made up in stone on the wall between the double staircase.

The four faces of our houses stare back: The Wolf, The Witch, The Alchemist, The Crow. Some students go crazy for that kind of thing—mostly the internationals and those linked to the more prominent families, the Italians, the richest bastards here. For me and Haz, we couldn’t give a toss. Nic’s more pally with that lot than us.

Our shoes scuff dully over the wide floor tiles. The building’s full of students leaving their last lecture of the day, dimming the natural ambience of the castle. Later on though, this place is creepy as fuck.

As we wind our way east, I glance at Tilda, taciturn at my side. I can sense she’s gone inward, can almost hear the cogs in her mind whirring. Deep thinker, this girl. I need to bring her back to the present.

‘You know, if this was a real date, I’d usually hold your hand.’ I wiggle one before her with a grin. ‘I’m always warm. Girls love it.’

I feel a thrill when she only smiles and twines her hand with mine.

I look down, momentarily stunned.

Fuck. She’s actually holding my hand.

‘Alright there?’ she murmurs.

‘Sure. Not freaking out even a little bit.’

She squeezes my fingers. ‘You’re kind of cute, Elly.’

‘Hm.’ I eye her dubiously. ‘In the streets maybe. You’ve not yet had the pleasure of being with me between the sheets.’

‘Not sure this straight girl ever will.’

‘Let’s circle back to that post-date, shall we?’

We ascend the staircase to the left, finding the little raised door that opens to the tower steps. There are a multitude of safety signs outside and they’ve installed a metal banister to aid our way. Even with all of that, the steps are still a deathtrap.

‘You go first, babe.’ I pat my ample chest. ‘Soft landing if you fall.’

‘Enjoy the view,’ she sings.

Oh, I will.

It’s a slog upwards as I knew it’d be. Just didn’t expect to feel so unfit next to Tilda who pads light-footed up the spiral stairs, her hand barely tracing the ice-cold banister.

‘Thought you were a gym bro,’ she teases when I begin to slow.

‘Kinda don’t go for the gains,’ I gasp.

‘Maybe you will now. Cardio trumps weights training any day though.’

‘Tell Haz that.’

‘Haz isn’t here.’ Tilda swings round the banister to the top of the tower. ‘It’s just us.’

Fuck yeah it is.

I look round quickly, spotting that we’re alone in the circular room. Alone but for the vast view of the ocean and sunset above.

I join Tilda by the wide window, dying to put my palms on her hips. She’s the perfect height. If she was to lean her head back it would rest right against my shoulder.

‘Picked a good night for it.’

She nods wordlessly, still catching her breath from the climb up. She looks good against that sky, the pastel colours softening her features. If I was an artist, I’d paint her.

She turns to me. ‘Now what?’

‘Now we eat.’

I take a blanket from the basket and lay it over the floor. Beneath it is a selection of picnic foods I was able to scrounge from the island shop.

‘Gourmet beige,’ I say proudly, spreading out all the pastries, dips and breadsticks.

‘My fave.’ She comes to her knees, casting her eyes over the array. ‘You really are spoiling me, aren’t you?’

‘Only the best for you, babe. Now come sit over here before we miss the sunset.’

It’s a bit precarious with the stairs but I’m able to sit back against a wooden support, affording me a view of the sky if not the ocean below it. Feeling brave in this little world of our own, I part my legs and pat them invitingly.

Tilda eyes them, an indulgent smile on her face.

I hold my breath until she shuffles forward, turning so that her back is facing me. I ease her into me. She’s stiff at first. I wonder if this is weird for her because I’m a lesbian, or because she’s just not that cuddly. I’m hoping it’s the latter.

‘Sausage roll or pork pie?’

‘Sausage roll, I think.’

I rip one from the packet, raising it up to her lips. She gives it a nibble, holding her hand over her mouth demurely. It makes me smile. Like a little mouse.

As the sun dips lower, darkening the tower room, she begins to relax, leaning against me heavier. Not like I can’t take it. I feed her more food, enchanted by the way the sunset reflects in her eyes, turning them the weirdest colour.

‘The princess treatment Haz wasn’t able to give you.’

‘She let me feel her dick,’ Tilda counters.

‘She fucking what?’ I laugh.

Tilda shrugs with a grin. ‘Guess I was missing it.’

‘Dick?!’

‘Yeah. Was on the vodka too.’

‘So that’s all it takes?’

‘Yep. Now you have that info, what are you gonna do with it?’

‘Suppose I’m going out to buy some vodka. Wish you’d told me before tonight.’

‘Can’t make it too easy for you.’

She’s good at this flirting stuff. The girls on campus, the ones at the gym or Vipers, have a way of being as predatory as Haz in their advances, as purposely subtle as they might be with them.

But then, I suppose that’s the difference between girls who actually want you and one who’s straight and indulging you. A thought that’s a little deflating.

I bring my arms fully around her. ‘Nothing easy about you, Tilda.’

‘Others would say otherwise.’

‘Others are dicks.’ I shake my head, glowing with the privilege of just having this girl close. ‘Bet that asshole boyfriend of yours never took the time to know you, did he? The real you. What makes you tick, your traumas and your fears.’

Tilda gives a small shake of her head.

‘Mm, I can tell. Surface level worm. You’re more than just a pretty face, Tilds. Though you’re definitely that too. Fucks me off he doesn’t see that.’

‘Well,’ she murmurs after a moment, ‘not with him anymore, am I?’

‘Nope. You’re onto better things.’

‘You mean like you?’

‘I mean anyone who’ll treat you the way you deserve.’ I quirk a smile. ‘But I wouldn’t be mad if it’s me.’

Tilda laughs quietly. ‘Well, you’re doing a good job of twisting my arm right now. Any girl would be lucky to have you.’

‘Don’t make this ginger blush.’

She turns halfway to face me, making me feel suddenly shy in my glasses. I’ve not been sleeping well lately, making my eyes more blurry than usual. Just thinking about it makes me yawn and I duck my head so Tilda doesn’t have to see.

‘Am I keeping you up?’

I dredge up a smile. She’s made that joke before. Truth is, I’m knackered. Nan’s been out of hospital a few days, which makes things both easier and harder. Easier because Grandad doesn’t have to split his time between home and the ward, but harder because three kiddos, a mentally ill mother and five animals is the last thing you want around a convalescing granny.

Been sending me round the bend trying to come up with a solution no one has to sacrifice anything for. So far no good.

And then there’s Nic.

I thought the ‘house meeting’ Haz insisted on was going to be something to do with Tilda and the bet. Was half expecting her to say she’d slept with her or something. Was a bit of a smack in the face to hear Nic succumbed to that shit again. Just what we all bloody need right now.

After all we do for her too. In the name of bro-ship and blind loyalty. Including ignoring Tommy which is kind of a shame. I know we have orders to fuck with him, but he also seems alright after spending the night at Vipers with him. Something I told Haz, resulting in a thwack across the back of my head and the reminder that no one in Nic’s family’s alright, younger cousin included.

It’s probably why we’re so fixed on Tilda. Maybe we’re getting a little tired of doing what we’re told all the time for reasons she never fully explains. Haz knows more than I do but even she doesn’t divulge too much of Nic’s shit. All I know was that she was sent to live with extended family after the death of her dad, and that they abused her horribly.

Hence the coke problem. The one we thought we’d seen the back of.

But the sky’s so pretty tonight, all of that feels strangely far away.

‘So’—I take a glug from my bottle of Pepsi—‘whose date do you vote for, mine or Haz’s?’

‘Is everything a competition between the two of you?’

‘Pretty much, yeah.’

‘Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?’ Tilda picks up a breadstick, smearing it through a tub of sweet chilli houmous. ‘You’re like two sides of the same coin. I shouldn’t have to choose.’ She regards me with a smirk. ‘You two share, don’t you?’

I know this is all a joke to her, I know we’re treading some tightrope between fantasy and reality here but, fuck, sharing this girl would be something alright. A dream or a nightmare, I’m not sure. Turns out me and Haz play by different rules in the bedroom. Big shock there. And with this girl in the middle, tugged between us like an elastic toy, I’m not sure how those rules would come into play.

I look at Tilda looking at me, her sweet face a juxtaposition to the piercings and the tattoos and all that grungy black.

Pulled hard enough, would she snap or bend?

Despite the wind whistling through the tower, my body warms to the image of her caught between us, two predators vying over prey.

‘Yeah, we share,’ I rasp. ‘So, you pick both?’

‘I pick both,’ she confirms.

Well. Suppose a stalemate’s better than losing.