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However, I’ the moment—any moment, really—to taunt her “I’m not here to collect you next Don’t fear You’re not up to h I am impressed,” I chide

“Shut the fuck up”

She’s a mouthy one Even half-asleep

Too bad she’s dealing with me

“Not likely”

I walk around the roo in the empty space I left for her to find Thein the house but Payton Even the art is gone

“Then get gone,” she snarls

“Again, not likely”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Would you like the long answer or the short one?” I ask She shi, “Short answer This is my house I own it So yes, dear sweet Payton, you are, in fact, trespassing And, as you’ve noticed, you have zero possessions here No reason to return As for the long answerI really don’t feel like telling you”

“You are such an asshole”

“We’ve gone over this already Nothing new here”

“Let’s add creep to the list then You ca with you? Also, can you stop shining that flashlight on me?”

“Sure thing, princess”

“Don’t call me that”

“Oh no You don’t like that? It seee she can buy a small country?”

“I don’t think I can buy a small country,” she mutters

“Oh” I pretend to sound sorry, drawing a hand to hness”

“That is not what I meant, and you know it I just meant—”

“I think you ives a fuck”

“What I a to say is—”

“Again, doesn’t matter All that matters is you’re in my house, and you need to leave”

“What? Are you serious? I can’t leave Do you knohat time it is?”

“It’s 3:02 am I’m sure you can crash on your friend’s couch What’s her naain? Oh, yeah, Heather”

Her eyes widen I also don’t miss the way her jaw trembles “How do you know her name?”

I won’t dignify the question with a response

She looks pathetic

Huddled on the floor like a little mouse