The Hating Game

“Okay, what is it?” Already my stomach is sinking.

“My niece is sixteen, and she needs to do an internship. Her school counselor thinks it would help her to gain some perspective. She can’t skip classes and sleep all day, you know? Teenagers have no idea of the concept of work.”

“You could talk to Jeanette, she could arrange something.” I take someone else’s cash. “They always want to work with the design team.”

“No, I want her to do an internship with you.”

“Me? Why?” I’m seized with the urge to run away.

“You’re the only person here who’d be patient enough with her. She’s a little bit opinionated.”

This is a world first, but I wish Joshua would interrupt. Something happen. Please. I am beaming messages his satellite ear is not receiving. Joshua, Mayday, Mayday, I will do anything for you if you interrupt.

“She’s got a lot of issues. Drugs, and a few other things. Please, would you do it? It’d mean a lot to her mother, and it might get her back on track.”

“Well. Can I think on it?” I avert my eyes from Joshua who has abandoned eavesdropping and has now turned to face us, hand on hip.

“I need to know now. She’s meeting with her school counselor in half an hour. She’s meant to have something lined up.” Julie looks at me, her mouth curled in an expectant smile.

“How long would it be for? Like, a day?”

Julie takes a step closer, squeezing my arm painfully in her beautiful hand.

“It’d be for two weeks during the next school break. You’re such a sweetheart. Thank you, I’ll text her now. She won’t be happy but you’ll bring her around.”

“Wait,” I begin, but she’s already climbing onto the bus.

“Well, that went well. You know what I would have told her?” Joshua says.

I stick a hand into my hair. My scalp feels hot and prickly. “Shut up.”

“I’d have said one little word. It’s simple, you should try it sometime. Say it with me. No.”

“Hey,” Danny says with a smile as he joins the queue.

“No. Hi.” I do my cutest grin. I hope he’s wearing sunscreen on his pretty silver-blond skin. “You made it. I guess paintballing is a good way to celebrate your last day.”

“Yeah, it’ll be fun. Mitchell said I didn’t have to come, but I wanted to. The team took me out for a farewell lunch too.”

I know most of this; we’ve been emailing all week, and I helped him carry some boxes to his car. The little envelope icon on my toolbar has been giving me little twinges of excitement. I’ve been hot and restless all morning. Light-headed. I definitely have a crush.

“Waiver,” Joshua interjects. Danny hands him the paper, not taking his eyes from me.

“I love your hair today,” Danny tells me and I duck my head, flattered. It’s the correct thing to say to me. I’m ridiculously vain about my hair. My conditioner is probably worth more per ounce than cocaine.

“Thanks, it’s gone a little crazy. I think it’s a bit humid.”

“Well, I like it a little crazy.” Danny touches the haywire curls resting on my upper arm. We make eye contact and start laughing.

“I’ll bet you do, sleazebag.” I shake my head.

“Give her the money, then get on the bus,” Joshua says slowly, like Danny is very simple indeed. They exchange an unfriendly look. I take his twenty and give him a Flamethrower smile in return.

“Wanna be teammates?”

“Yes,” I say at the same time as Joshua barks, No. He sure is good at saying that word.

“Teams are pre-allocated,” he snaps, and Danny shoots me a look that clearly says, What’s up his ass?