For your ask game: vengeful.
Ooo I like it >:) I could’ve gone with another scene between Mira and Vince but I decided to use this one to showcase another oc of mine that I rarely talk about:
“Cami, hang back a sec, would you?”
I swiveled around to meet Dawn’s smoldering green eyes. “I’ve barely taken two steps, Dawn, what could I possibly have screwed up so fast?”
She smiled, her head eerily tilting to the side. “Based on the details you included in your application, I’ve decided to assign you to another more important task.”
I watched her with a steady stare as she strode over to a table a few feet away. She set her hand down on two large cardboard boxes stacked atop one another.
I nodded toward them. “What’s that?”
Her complacent smile persisted, making me uneasy. “These ” —she firmly pressed her fingertips on the lid — “are supplies for making signs for the carwash. Jaden’s supposed to be in charge of that, but he’s been out sick for the past few days. It appears he won’t make a full recovery in time for the event. I need someone to get started on them.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I shifted my weight to one leg. “Let me guess. I’m that lucky someone.”
“My, my, you are smarter than you look.” Her saccharine tone made my skin itch.
I acknowledged her comment with a condescending sneer. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t do arts and crafts.”
She regarded me skeptically. “But on your application you put down that you were creative and artistic, right?”
I didn’t bother to ask how she remembered a thing like that. “Yes, but what I meant by that was I’m creative when it comes to problem-solving. I’m good with logic. And I only put down that I’m artistic ‘cause I used to play piano.” Something she already knew.
“I see.” Her eyes fell away to the floor, her tone dry and unimpressed. “Well, I’m sure you can find some way to combine those measly talents to help get the signs done.”
Uncrossing my arms, I walked over to the table and uncovered one of the boxes. It was packed with stencils, construction paper, markers — practically everything a third grader would need to carry out an art project. I sifted through the pile of supplies, holding up a few stencils for inspection. “How many signs do you need?”
I dumped the stencils back in the box. “What?”
“Give or take.” She added with a shrug, like that was supposed to make up for her obviously unreasonable request.
“I see, and is anyone else working on these with me or is this gonna be a fun solo project?”
She turned to survey the room at large. “Well, everyone else is already pretty deep in other projects at this point. I wouldn’t want to pull them away or it could cause a lot of confusion.” A gleam of mischief illuminated her face.
“What about the new guys? They’re not doing anything.”
“Their help is needed elsewhere,” she responded, not missing a step. “So I’m leaving things up to you. Have them done by Thursday.”
My thoughts stuttered. “That’s in two days. The carwash isn’t until Saturday.”
“Yes, but I need to approve them before Saturday. You’ll show them to me on Thursday and that way you’ll have enough time to correct anything I don’t like before the event.”
I fought to contain my annoyance. “I can’t get all this done by myself in two days.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?” Her tone sharpened and immediately my defenses went up. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but your application did say you were hardworking, diligent and enjoyed taking on whatever challenges were thrown at you. Don’t tell me those were all barefaced lies?”
My eyes narrowed to thin slits. She wanted me to make seventy signs in the span of two days with absolutely no help? It was unnecessarily excessive, not to talk of completely unfair.
While my eyes sent one message, my mouth delivered another. “You know what, Dawn? You’re right. I will enjoy this challenge, and whatever other challenges are thrown my way in the future.” I beamed.
Leaning against the table behind me, I spoke to her retreating figure. "I’m not sure what game you’re trying to play here, but just so you know memorizing my application just so you can use it against me is a little pathetic.”
She paused and her head raised ever-so-slightly at my comment. Glancing over her shoulder, her face remained unfazed as she said, “And just so you know, the signs are the most important part of the carwash. No signs, no advertisement. No advertisement, no money.” The corner of her red lips lifted. “It would be a shame if someone were to screw that up.”
