thirteen | build a bridge

"Ali, Ali, Ali. . ."

"Hey, Raquelle. . ."

"Your socials have been kinda dead? Care to explain that one to me? I've got nasty emails from Snapchat about how you've gotta catch up on your contract or you're dropped—"

"I took a mental health week—"

"Week? You took a mental health week? Ali, my dear, I hate to break it to you but there's no such thing as a mental health week—that is just pure laziness. A mental health day, sure—everyone needs those. But a week? Any other profession and an unplanned week off would have them under a bridge—"

"I—I get it, I'm sorry. I—"

"I don't have the time for excuses, I'm just here to relay the messages. Goodlife Health Clubs sent through the contract of yours and Riki's collaboration—which you would know about, had you not been AWOL the last week and a half."

"We're not, we've—"

"Riki signed the contract two weeks ago. It's been sitting in your inbox, I need you to find it, sign and send it back to me as fast as possible so we can get this rolling. They wanted your first video out by now—"

"Jordan and I aren't seeing each other anymore."

"Nonsense. You both signed contracts with various brands. It's a fake relationship so fake un-break up or you both are going to be sued and I can't do another client being sued right now—"

"Raquelle—"

"Alianna. This is how business works. Whatever happened between you and Riki—frankly, I don't care—needs to be shoved into a drawer."

"But—"

"No buts. You're legally obligated to finish out these contracts under the terms set—which is you and Riki promoting these brands as a couple. Love sells things because everyone wants love."

"There's no way—?"

"Not unless you want to be sued. Send the paperwork. I have another call coming through. Bye."

💌

THE CHAIRS IN THE WAITING ROOM OF THE PSYCHOLOGISTS OFFICE WERE NEVER COMFORTABLE. In all her years of on and off therapy, Ali had never experienced a comfortable waiting room. This one was dark, with wooden panelling covering every surface. The plastic chairs had thin, brightly covered memory foam pillows. There was a medium sized flat screen.

Ali almost fell out of her chair when she looked up and saw him on the TV. It'd been two weeks since she'd seen him. He looked good in the Broncos number 12 jersey, she'll admit—Maroon was his colour.

Of all the games she'd went to, she hadn't actually paid attention to the actual game—she'd always been at the bar, mostly. Or making Tik Toks. But here she was, engrossed in the game. He was getting quite a bit of screen time—passing, tackling and he even twice. It was almost like watching a different person at points; gone was the gentle and patient boy, replaced with a vigorous fighting machine.

By the time the full time whistle blew, they'd taken home the win. She watched all the boys she'd briefly met yell and hug as they celebrated—it was quite wholesome, she thought (in a scary macho man way). She looked down at her shoes, unable to look him in the eye, as he was interviewed in the change room. His face was still drenched in sweat and he wore nothing but budgee-smugglers—it reminded her of the last time she'd seen him.

Before she could dwell on the thought, though, she was called in. Maybe she could dwell on the thought aloud, she supposes.

💌

JORDAN RIKI • 11/03/23
Ali, can you please call me?
seen • 11/03/23

ALIANNA GREER • 1:21AM
i watched u play
congrats

JORDAN RIKI • 1:30AM
You're in Sydney???

ALIANNA GREER • 1:31AM
no. it was on at the doctors office

JORDAN RIKI • 1:33AM
Doctor? Are you alright?

ALIANNA GREER • 1:33AM
not that kinda doctor

JORDAN RIKI • 1:34AM
Oh

ALIANNA GREER • 1:35AM
when do you get back?

JORDAN RIKI • 1:37AM
Monday arvo, hopefully

ALIANNA GREER • 1:38AM
cool

JORDAN RIKI • 1:38AM
Yeah

ALIANNA GREER • 1:39AM
👍

JORDAN RIKI • 1:39AM
✊🏽

ALIANNA GREER • 1:40AM
are you gonna be busy monday night?

JORDAN RIKI • 1:41AM
Nah, I'll be too tired to be
Travelling exhausts me

ALIANNA GREER • 1:42AM
oh, right..

JORDAN RIKI • 1:42AM
Why?

ALIANNA GREER • 1:44AM
curious

JORDAN RIKI • 1:45AM
True

ALIANNA GREER • 1:46AM
yep

JORDAN RIKI • 1:47AM
You can come over Monday
If that's what you're try to ask

ALIANNA GREER • 1:48AM
cool
my manager will be happy lol

JORDAN RIKI • 1:49AM
Okay

💌

☀️KK SPEAKS!
just a quickie, next chapter should be a bit more eventful.

     i wish this wasn't such a niche community on wattpad ahaha

     once again, don't forget to vote for every chapter & spam the comments until your fingers bleed 🫶

     here's their playlist by the way. i've decided they're very chase atlantic's first album coded.