Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb

 

Chapter 21

Astrid

 

I check my bank balance on my phone, and I’m not thrilled with the lack of numbers. I decided to pay off Mom’s rent in advance, and it was a lot more than it should’ve been considering the rundown neighborhood. I figure I can hold onto the rest of the money if I’m careful, but attending Stonehaven means you have to spend money to socialize. The dining hall slowly empties out as the semester progresses as kids order pizza or eat out almost every night in Rockingham.

 

“Astrid, we’re going to the Red Barn. Want to come?” asks Gillian after practice.

 

I try hard not to grimace, but it’s probably a fail. “Sure, let’s go.”

 

I sit at a table surrounded by my other teammates as they hoot and holler at a soccer game on satellite. The Red Barn is one of the few places in town that doesn’t card, and everyone knows it. I figure if I stick to a grilled chicken salad, my money will be okay. It works until someone suggests we order a pitcher. And then someone else suggests we split the bill.

 

Someone insists that we hire an Uber to get to campus. The driver refuses to take all of us in his car. I’m ready to walk back to campus. After all, we’re on the track team, but no one wants to walk. Come on, guys. We wait for another Uber, and somehow, I end up paying for it.

 

The guy charges us extra for picking up five people, and I want to fight it, but Gillian cheerfully tells him okay. Easy to be nice when it’s not coming out of your account.

 

I thought Charlotte was exaggerating about her allowance, but living at Stonehaven is expensive. Once I’m back home, I toss myself facedown on my bed and run through my mind how I can get extra money. I can’t get an after-school job. I need that time to study to graduate and get a job or go to college. The Pit is off the list thanks to Pierce unless I fight Athena.

 

I shudder. The woman is a beast born from a test tube. She’s a foot taller than me, and that’s not fat. It’s dense muscle. She used to fight in the schoolyard because she liked it. And at the time, she wasn’t paid. Athena takes delight in battering people and laughing while she punches your teeth out of your head. I shudder again until another thought comes into my head.

 

If I become a Howland, I wouldn’t have to worry about a low balance again. But there’s a catch in any easy plan. I’m not perfect like fucking Princess Charlotte. She’s been trained since birth to be a Howland. I haven’t. On my first day working at the cafeteria, I asked Gary why there was an extra fork on the table. After he stopped laughing, he told me it was for the salad.

 

Charlotte’s no angel, but she can switch the good manners on and off like a radio. I can’t even if I wanted to. Even if I wanted to be a Howland, I don’t think I could pass the test. I moan into my pillow as my last hope appears in my addled mind.

 

Nova has disappeared off my radar because she’s probably found another gig. My girl is resourceful, and maybe I can catch a ride on that good wave of income.

 

She answers before it switches to voice mail. “What’s up?” she says.

 

I swallow, not sure where we stand. “Not much. I haven’t seen you, and I wanted to get together.”

 

There’s a pause. “Tired of the rich kids?”

 

“I was tired of them the second they said hello,” I reply, “You haven’t been at the Pit.”

 

“No, I haven’t.” She’s holding back as the conversation lulls into an uneasy silence. It’s up to me to keep it going. I can swallow my pride easily for a friend.

 

“Look, I haven’t fought in a while,” I continue, “and I need another way to pick up money.”

 

Nova scoffs. “Seriously? You have a rich daddy now. Why aren’t you working him?”

 

I toss my head back on the pillow, letting out a huff. “He’s a stingy SOB. He’s dangling the cash out in front of my face, but I got to do as he says if I want a dollar of it.”

 

Nova blows out air, and I can imagine her shaking her head. “That’s rough to be looking into the mansion and not be invited in.”

 

“Tell me about it. Setting changed, but I’m still broke,” I reply, “I’m not sure what to do. The Pit, or my cheap dad. Both have tight strings attached. Either way, I’m going to have to sell a piece of my soul just to get a step ahead.”

 

“Look,” she says. “We’ve been meeting up again, but you can’t talk about it. We don’t want them muscling in again.”

 

Eager that I might have a gig, I sit up. “No, I won’t.”

 

“Come by,” she tells me. “And check it out. I don’t need to tell you where.”

 

I shake my head, smiling. God, I missed her. I missed this. “I know.”