Girly gossip

'Hey Mum, I've just been talking to Aria and she said shit's really hit the fan over at home! Apparently Dad threatened Nyla with a gun to tell him where we were, and Stanley has gangster relatives so he called them over and they beat Dad up and left him in a dumpster! And Aria said she joined in with a baseball bat!'

'...Oh. I was hoping you wouldn't find out.'

'Wait, you knew?'

'Yeah, they told me. I didn't want to upset any of you so that's why I kept quiet.'

'Right... God, that's horrible.'

'I know. Poor Nyla didn't deserve that. And she still didn't give up our location... that's true friendship. What a brave woman.'

'Yeah, I don't think I could've held out...'

'When she comes over here I'm going to treat her. I dunno what yet. Shopping, maybe. Take her to the best department store, hand her my card and just tell her to go wild. I still have a load of your dad's money in my account, so it's poetic justice, really.'

'Heh, good. I like the idea of him funding a shopping spree.'

'I'll have to give you some too. Buy all the things he'd disapprove of.'

'I'll think hard on it then!'

'So how's it going over in Isla Paradiso?'

'I love it here! Everything about it – the house, the location... it's all so nice! I wish we'd done it years ago.'

'Awesome. So what about the men...? I bet you've seen a lot of young surfer dudes on those beaches, right?'

'Oh, absolutely. Some of those abs... well, it's giving me a lot of inspiration for my writing, let's just say that.'

'That's what I like to hear! What about school then?'

'Hmm. It's okay. None of us have really made any friends yet... At least we've got each other though. It's kinda tough being the new kids.'

'That makes sense.'

'I'm sure it'll get better soon. I guess it doesn't really matter either way, though. After this year we've got uni, after all!'

'That's true. You lot still wanna go to the same one, right?'

'Of course we do! Are you still planning on going?'

'Damn right. I'll do my best, at least. I don't wanna be left behind here while everyone else goes swanning off. Fact is, I'll need a backup career. You know how hard it is to break into the wrestling business, especially if you're a woman. Double that if you're a woman without long hair and big tits.'

'You make sure you make it, okay? Because someone with your talent shouldn't be held down because of idiot men judging your worth as a sexual object!'

'Eh, you'll always get those neckbeard losers. I've just gotta prove that I can hang with the best of 'em.'

'Good! How's it going for you, anyway?'

'Could be better. I just don't trust Mum's dickhead boyfriend. He's dodgy as fuck. Pretty sure he's a drug dealer.'

'Oh dear...'

'I'm not gonna waste any more time talking about that asshole though.'

'Okay. Hey, Tristan says he's going to try going back to work soon.'

'Oh, that's great news! Tell him good luck from me.'

'Will do. I'm sure he's going to be fine! I think he's regaining more confidence now with his new eye, which we're so pleased about. After everything, he really deserves to be happy.'

'Awesome. Oh yeah, your nephew keeps making jokes about having sex with me. Like, more than usual.'

'Does he?'

'Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really bothered. You don't have to tell him off or anything.'

'Oh really, you don't mind? Might you be kinda enjoying it then?'

'Umm... maybe a little bit...'

'It's him you have a crush on, isn't it? That's why you didn't want to tell me!'

'Yeah... guilty as charged. I didn't notice it too much 'til I started spending more time with him, but yeah. I like him a lot. You're not pissed about it, are you?'

'Aww, no! Not at all! I think it's sweet. You two'd be nice together. I mean, 'cos I already know you and how nice you are, I'd be happy for him to end up with you.'

'Thanks Carmella.'

'No problem! You should tell him you like him.'

'Haha, yeah, not made it to that part yet... We'll see how it goes.'

'Alright. Just don't take too long! I'm not waiting around while you two are all awkward around each other and too scared to tell the other how you feel!'

'Nah, I won't be. I bought a new shirt the other day anyway... might try it out and see how he reacts.'

'Oh yeah? What's it like?'

'I'll send you a photo on PlumbBook...'