The Forum by Marie Reyes (short books for teens .txt) 📕

of bacon from the fridge. "You really want me to move away from London and make that decision in a single morning? Come on Nadia." He tore the plastic lid off the pack of bacon with force.

"I know you seem to be obsessed with the place, but what's so good about it? Everything is overpriced. Getting to work is a nightmare. It's alright for you. You lounge around the house all day."

"There are way more opportunities here. What about my career?"

"Come on. I think career is a bit of an overstatement. You play small time gigs and make coffee on the side."

Aadesh remained silent, as if he spoke, he knew he would say something he regretted. Instead, he placed rashers of bacon into a frying pan.

"Please don't sulk. There's just a time in your life where you just have to... grow up. We can't all be famous television comedians, and rock stars. I mean, how does it feel knowing how much more I earn than you? Don't you want to be successful rather than chasing a fantasy your entire life?"

"I really don't think it's that fantastical an ambition. Not if I'm dedicated and do what it takes." He flinched as a drop of hot oil spat from the pan onto his arm. She pushed her bowl aside. "You not having your breakfast? Jealous of my sandwich?" He tried changing the subject.

"I'm not hungry."

"Who's the one sulking now?"

"I'm not sulking. I'm just... fed up. Fed up of being the only one trying to make something of this, while you sit in your pants every day playing computer games."

"Exaggerate much?"

"No, not at all. I just see things for what they are."

"Fine. If that's the case, what the hell are you still doing with me? All you do is try to change me. I think it's pretty clear now that this just... doesn't work."

"What? We're just having a simple adult discussion here. Why are you being so immature and defensive?"

If he didn't say it now, whilst heated and with a false courage that came from being mid-argument, then he would never say it. "I think we both know this isn't working. We just need to cut our losses."

"No. Come on Addy. I didn't mean to push you, I just wanted more for us." There was something about her eyes when she was upset that made him melt. He couldn't let that sway him this time.

"You deserve to be happy. I honestly don't know why you keep pushing for us, even though we have nothing in common."

"You know what they say. Opposites attract. It's true."

"Attraction isn't enough and you know it."

"You can't do this to me, not now. I have a whole day at work ahead of me. How am I supposed to get through the day?"

"Call in sick. Have a me day. try to figure out what you really want. What would make you fulfilled, it's just not me."

"Call in sick, of course you would say that. You have the work ethics of a sloth."

"Okay." He didn't want to engage any longer. They were getting nowhere.

"My friends were right about you," she said with a spiteful look in her eyes.

"Well, they'll be happy to be proven right then."

"You parents will be devastated. They welcomed me into your family with open arms. You're not going to do better than me you know."

"Okay."

"Stop saying okay! You're infuriating." She grabbed her bag from the kitchen table and stormed to the door. "You're going to regret this. Don't come crawling back to me when you realize what a mistake you've made," and with that, she slammed the door behind her.

Despite the excess adrenaline and the fact he was shaking, he felt truly relieved. It was over. There was no way he could eat now his stomach was tied in knots. After staring into space for five minutes, he received a text message from Nadia.

Nadia: "I'm sorry I insulted you. It was the heat of the moment. Can we talk about this when I get home?"

Aadesh ignored the message for the time being and looked at the most recent message on the group.

K-meister: Shortstacks and Pickletubs118. Quicky_Mart and Pipes1983 were arranging to meet, so I invited them to stay with me in Chicago. Thought it would be cool to see each other in the flesh, and we can go over the case. I appreciate you live in London Aadesh, but I would gladly contribute towards your flight if you are interested. And you of course Pickletubs, but not sure where you live.

Shortstacks: I'm so in. Now's the perfect time. No shows booked, and just split up with my girlfriend. TMI I know.

K-meister: Sorry to hear that. You can PM me details of any flights that would be best for you. The others are coming on Friday next week.

Pickletubs118: I can't. Sorry.

K-meister: Well, if you change your mind let me know.

Pickletubs118: I can't. My mom won't let me, and I have school.

K-meister: How old are you?

Pickletubs118: Thirteen.

Aadesh almost spit out a mouthful of tea.

Shortstacks: You're thirteen years old?

Pickletubs118: Yes. Please don't block me. I want to see what happens.

Shortstacks: Maybe we can video message you when we all get there.

Aadesh thought it was probably inappropriate, but he couldn't help to remember what he was like at that age. He liked to be included, treated like the adults. It was not what he had expected, and it just went to show you can never know what to expect when meeting someone online.

Part Two

Chapter

Twenty Five

                CHICAGO

It was probably the strangest and most spontaneous thing he had done in his entire life. One day, he was arguing with his girlfriend, and the next, he was in a stranger's car in Chicago