Page 71 of Fatality

Probably, maybe not.

But if I actually master it, I'll be proud to say I did.

Again.

Again.

And again.

I don't know how many attempts I make. Each failure adds another bruise to a body already covered in them from the crash and the fight with that freak.

But I don't care, I will succeed.

Eventually, I'll even be able to do it without my hands.

I crack my neck, I'm sweating and peel off my T-shirt like it's the reason I keep failing.

I was about to throw myself into one last attempt when my comm suddenly buzzes.

I ignore it.

I need to focus on my cartwheel but it keeps buzzing.

I'm going to break it even more than it already is.

I grunt, walk over, pick it up, and see a message from Charlie.

Charlie: “Yo Riv! The lockdown's been lifted! We're going out with Jules and Liam. Take a shower and get your pretty booty over here. I don't know what you've been doing, but I'm pretty sure you smell like a sewer.”

I've been so busy trying to learn this stupid cartwheel that I didn't even check the news.

That's good.

I'll finally be able to get out, keep myself busy differently.

Let's go have a drink. Honestly, it's probably necessary.

Otherwise, I'd spend the rest of the day trying to do flips until I broke my neck.

I get ready, throwing on the first things I find—an oversized capri pants that stop just below my knees and an oversized jersey T-shirt that I tuck one side of the hem into my bra.

I slip on my sneakers, and head out.

Less than twenty minutes later, after a ride on public transport, I arrive at the bar.

The streets are packed.

I guess that's normal after a lockdown, people just want to be outside.

I spot them sitting at a table on the terrace. Liam's gray-blue eyes find mine instantly.

I walk over and he stands up and kisses me before I can even say a word.

His kiss is warm and gentle, but I can feel the tension behind it.

I sit down beside him and order a peach iced tea.

We talk about what we've all been doing during the lockdown, theorizing about who did this.