A Girl Called Malice. Aurelia Rowl B.

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      ‘OK, here goes…my name is Alice, no nicknames, at least none that I’d care to share.’ Like ‘Malice’ for instance. ‘I’m seventeen and I dropped out of college this year. Long story but as you’ve probably gathered, my home life is complicated and my family even more so—’

      Zac opened his mouth to interrupt.

      I raised my hand off the wheel to stop him. ‘However I’d rather not talk about it because I really don’t want to lie to you.’

      He closed his mouth hard enough for his teeth to clash together.

      ‘I’m a full-time waitress at a hotel,’ I continued. ‘It isn’t great and the money sucks, but the tips can be good and, seeing as I don’t have any better ideas, it’ll do for now.’ As an afterthought, I added, ‘And I’m a vegetarian.’

      Zac said nothing: no reply or comment whatsoever but I could feel his gaze boring into the side of my head. ‘Well, I’m glad we got that all clear and out of the way,’ he said eventually, presumably when he failed to lift the missing answers directly out of brain. ‘Now answer me this…’ Oh God, what now? ‘What do you think of jazz?’

       Chapter eight

      Friend

      The rest of the year flew by, especially with restaurant and function bookings on the increase thanks to work parties throughout December. Overtime was plentiful, along with generous tips, so I had the perfect excuse to be out of the house most days with the added bonus of boosting my Freedom Fund. I wasn’t missed, of course, except by Charlie.

      Based on Zac’s recommendation, I’d downloaded a jazz compilation album and it fast became one of my favourites, taking me to my happy place. I couldn’t remember when I’d last been so relaxed as that night, simply enjoying the banter, the chit-chat, the gorgeous food and the amazing music. My memories from that night out helped to keep me going through the tougher days.

      On the one day when families were supposed to come together, there was just me and the Norwegian spruce at home. Mum, Derek and Charlie had left a few days earlier to spend Mum’s birthday and the festive break with Derek’s sister. Naturally, I wasn’t invited. Not that I’d have gone. The stuck-up bitch always looked down her nose at me and made tutting sounds whenever she came to stay with us.

      Overcome with the sudden urge to hit something, I made my way upstairs. After quickly changing into a vest and shorts, I planted one punch and kick combo after another into the poor beaten-up punchbag. My music blared out loud enough to disguise my yells and my foul-mouthed curses since there were no young ears to overhear me.

      The deafening volume also covered up the sound of my crying, as tears and sweat ran in single file down my cheeks. Heart pounding and blood pumping, I stepped away from the bag and jumped on the treadmill, but my planned 5K got cut short by a buzz from the gate. Who the hell made deliveries on Christmas Day?

      Hot and sweaty, I raced down the stairs, then hit the button for the gate, too out of breath to speak over the intercom to find out who was calling. Still glowing like a beetroot, I opened the front door and my pulse stilled momentarily. I shook my head and blinked hard, just in case the sweat stinging my eyes had affected my vision.

      Nope, Zac indeed stood there, his arm still raised in mid-air where I’d caught him about to knock. He lowered his hand and smiled sheepishly. ‘Merry Christmas, Alice.’

      ‘What?’ I blurted. ‘I mean… Merry Christmas, Zac.’ I wiped my hands over my shorts then gripped onto the door handle as flames cooked me from the inside. At least I was already bright red from exertion. ‘This is…unexpected?’

      ‘Yeah.’ One corner of his mouth climbed higher than the other. ‘I was on my way to my folks and thought I’d come and say hi.’

      ‘I see. Well thanks, and hi.’

      Zac shuffled on the doorstep and darted a glance over my shoulder into the house. If he was waiting for the cavalry to come to his rescue, he’d have a long wait. ‘I also wanted to give you this.’ He revealed his other hand to offer me a small, carefully wrapped gift.

      ‘Oh.’

      ‘I can see I’ve disturbed your workout so I’ll let you to get back to it,’ he said, turning away and getting ready to leave.

      ‘No, no, it’s fine.’ I lunged and put my hand on his shoulder. ‘Do you—’ My voice died. What the hell was I doing, throwing myself after him?

      Zac looked from me to my hand on his shoulder. ‘Do I…’ he prompted, with one eyebrow raised high on his forehead.

       Fuck it.

      Now that he was here, offering me a reason to smile, no way could I let him go so easily. ‘Do you have to rush off?’

      ‘Nope.’ A grin spread over his face. ‘I’m not expected until one.’

      ‘Perfect.’ I stepped to the side and held the door open wide. ‘Would you like to come in?’

      ‘Thanks,’ he said, taking that all-important footstep. He paused in the hallway and frowned. ‘Are you on your own?’

      ‘Er…yeah.’ I closed the door, then set off for the kitchen. ‘I’m in work later anyway though. It’s double-time today,’ I said, as if that explained why I found myself home alone at Christmas.

      ‘Right.’ Zac followed close behind. ‘So what do you usually do on Christmas Day? Are you subjected to board games too?’

      ‘Um…yeah.’ I made a dash for the kettle. ‘Would you like tea or coffee? Or I have juice? Water?’

      ‘Alice?’ Two hands closed on my upper arms as Zac spun me around. His troubled gaze searched mine, seeing more than I’d intended to reveal and a whirling vortex opened beneath my feet.

      ‘Actually, do you mind waiting a couple of minutes while I jump in the shower? I don’t want to stink the place out.’ I shook off his loose grip, then bolted for the door. When I returned six minutes later, showered and dressed in jeans and shirt, Zac had made the drinks and taken a seat at the breakfast bar.

      Unaware of my approach, I watched as he stared out into the garden, only turning his head when he spotted my reflection in the glass.

      ‘Hey,’ he said, smiling.

      ‘Hey.’ Careful to avoid meeting Zac’s gaze, I eased onto the stool next to him.

      He slid the mug towards me. ‘I think I remembered it right.’

      ‘Thanks.’ I wrapped my hands around the hot mug, then took a sip. ‘It’s perfect.’

      ‘Great, I’m glad I got something right,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry about before.’

      ‘It’s fine,’ I lied.

      ‘Yeah right.’ He shot me the hitched eyebrow. ‘I scared you off before I could give you this,’ he said, offering me the gift again.

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