AN,

Updates for the first five chapters will be every other day.

Enjoy!

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WHEN Ella Ambrose needed a favor, you either do her bidding like an idiot or have some common sense and bolt. Maybe take your chance and hitchhike. Run far and fast like hell hath fury was behind you.

Whatever you do - don't sit dumb, dazed and agree.

"Darling Naddy," she said like the Oracle of Delphi, pink nails like claws, bouncing blonde curls like the waves breaking apart on Circe's island.

Her smile preyed for sweet necks of the innocent and I was in such a momentum with my schoolwork- an assignment on color theory, a practice on painting the same figure with different balances and gradients - that when she twisted me from my half-conscious state, earbuds still on, I blinked upon her slender figure and Hera perfume.

It was an attack- and it was purposeful.

"Can you help me?"

"Help with what?" I was already wary, woken up from my reverie like a cold water washed over me, blinking several times and trying to adjust to my surroundings.

We were as close as could be, running around the same morsel of friends I had acquired so far and called it quits. Making new friends isn't so bad, but when you realize there are only a few who can take you as you are, who are willing to stay... You learn perspective.

Ella was fairly simple to interact with, good at drinking games and has an even better taste in fashion. But she was well known for her currency of favors, a whispered legendary feat. Though half of the things she asked could most likely land you in jail- once you owed her, there was nothing and no one that would stop Ella from currying that owe.

But golden tickets were rare. And the price was usually pretty hefty.

This was one of those prices.

"I need you to break up with someone..." Her smile was so angelic. No wonder mortal dweebs bowed. She also had a deep dimple that popped like the creme de la creme of it all.

"For me."

"For... you?"

"Claudia told me you're great at gently putting someone down. I'm dating this boy - yes, boy is the more appropriate word though he's the same year, younger though. He's super sweet and honestly the most adorable person ever... but also getting tiring. I actually am fond of him, but he's... eh, let's just say he lacks in things. Oh don't blush, dear. Not like that. I wouldn't have dated him otherwise." She winked.

I fought a hurl with a quaint but curled smile. I hadn't eaten yet, and I didn't really like talking to people about their experiences and private matters, especially on an empty stomach. No matter how close we were. And Ella and I aren't that close. But Claudia Heinz...

I blinked, trying to scramble at the pieces of a puzzle flung to me as if some five year old threw them all in my face and demanded I fix it. "Sorry, you said Claudia? Claudia told you to... find me? About this?"

"Yes, quite a funny story." She giggled lightly. "She knows how much... I suck at breaking up with people. I either send a flinging text or become very blunt. I can't control it, only makes it worse when I do." She laughed again as if we were in on a private joke. "You see - when I don't feel that spark, that fire that burns between me and my partner - I just don't see the point anymore."

She shrugged lightly as if this made sense. "So I just. End it. Just like that. But I have been told that I'm too heartless at the job. Claudia especially. She's quite fond of him too, actually. He's a bit of a charmer. Honestly, I wouldn't have even considered him if he wasn't so... naturally attractive. So this time she said I had to have a bit more heart and properly break up with him... and if I can't, which I obviously can't though I do want to be, at least, for him, Claudia said to come to you."

"... for advice?" I finished, hopeful. Because clearly, clearly I wasn't about to break up with someone I didn't even date. Let alone for Claudia, second most sensible person in our little group of heartbreakers, and the most decent one out of all of us, would even consider suggesting I take the fall for -

Ella laughed as if I amused her, a simple peasant in front of Helen of Troy. If Helen of Troy was British and had clear blue-green eyes that sparkled as if controlled on cues. And now, sparkle!

"No silly, then I wouldn't even bother. I don't listen well to other people's advice, and I am just horrible at breaking up with someone, I'm not even kidding. It sounds like a joke, but for me it's not. I hate breakups. It's so depressing and ugly and you have to pull out so much... bitter ugly truths... your reasons. Explaining yourself like some common criminal when it's really just simple and shouldn't be such... laborious work."

Her face skewered gently, and though I found her attractive, I bit back continuous retorts ready on my tongue.

She pursed her lips. "Ugh. Claudia told me that you were the best at breaking up with people, so naturally, I thought you could be the one to put him down gently?"

She blinked those green eyes that shimmered to blue then back to green again, face earnest. Really, this girl. I'm pretty sure this was hypnosis at this point. "He's such a nice guy that I just feel so bad breaking up with him this way- "

" - so why don't you do it?"

She smiled gently like a secret. "I'll only make it worse, Naddy dear. No one I've broken up with has ever taken it well. Won't you do it for me? Please? I'll owe you."

Aaand there was the million dollar bet, the dangle of a once in a lifetime opportunity. The chance for Ella Ambrose to owe me. I'm pretty sure Claudia knew this - damn you, Heinz, I hope somewhere, somehow, you're choking on air, damn you, damn you.

What's worse was that I was actually considering this.

But what is so horrible about it? True that Ella was messed up at breaking up with people. Endings weren't her thing- the beginnings, the honeymoon phase... Those were hers and admittedly, she was very good at it. Until she got bored. She wasn't so horrible. Just had the attention span of a squirrel who acted on her feelings before she could think or consider anything but herself.

Yes narcissistic... but I wasn't that good at all my breakups so I understand, at least, where all this was coming from. I had less of the messy ones. I handled everything with grace and consideration of the other person. Ending a relationship should be handled maturely and with understanding of both parties. And yes, sometimes you had to pay a hefty fine, but at least you're out of it.

God, am I really thinking of saying yes?

Apparently, I didn't have to. Ella was good at reading people. She was already jumping up and down in tiny heels before I could exhale my drawn out sigh and was engulfed in a quick hug that nearly threw me off my stool.

"Thank you, Naddy dear, I promise you won't regret this!"

Without much else to think about, I muttered, "I just hope he's not a brute?" I knew Ella's type despite this 'sweet boy' description. He most likely has a good build, if not an extremely pretty face. An Adonis of some sort.

They had to be ridiculously attractive. Movie actor attractive. The attitude could be debated- as long as your face can hold your entire value, who cares if you're trash?

Her eyes widened at the idea. "Oh no! Not at all! You'll understand when you meet him. Tonight. He's very... shall I say, gentle? Soft? Loving?"

My eyes widened. It was already 6:20- Christ, and I still haven't eaten.

"Tonight? As in minutes from now?"

She had the grace to at least look sorry. "It has to be done tonight. He had met my parents beforehand- out of sheer dumb luck - and they loved him so much they invited him over for the weekend. To celebrate dad's birthday. And I just can't have him there! It'd be too awkward..."

My eyes narrowed. Then realization. "You're going out with someone else already aren't you?"

She sighed, smiling guiltily. "I'm sorry! But he's from the anthropology department, and they're usually all just a bunch of nerds, but this one guy who has these thick arms..."

"Alright, nope, thank you. Never mind." I sighed wearily and tugged at my ponytail to re-do it again. It had gotten limp and messy, strands strayed all over my face. I could also feel the soreness in my butt and lower back from hours of sitting still, my legs dead and useless. I knew if I stood now, I would get some sort of vertigo and fumble for a bit.

"Send me the address then. I'll... do it."

"Thank you!" She hugged me again- quick and painless like a band aid. Then smiled that apologetic, charming smile again, her eyes following up in my casual class attire of a thrifted farmer's jumpsuit the color of fading carrot about twice my size, yellow socks, and black top underneath.

Her face was pinched into obvious discomfort and displeasure.

"You might also... er, consider dressing up. I'll call Claudia- she hid somewhere after she told me to find you here in the studios - very nice, strong, awful smell though - and we'll prepare something of a proper get up in thirty minutes flat. You'll be gorge!"

I closed my eyes, cursing Claudia Heinz to infinity and beyond. "What exactly do you mean 'dressing up', Ambrose? Where the hell is this place that needs dressing up?"

The smile that slowly bloomed made me fear for my life.