Tik! Tik!
The clock continued moving.
I sat at the desk, listening to it while the rain struck the window behind me. My phone rested beside the keyboard, its screen dark.
For a while, I remained like that.
Then—
Trrr!
I looked down.
Kyle?
The phone rang a few more times before I picked it up.
"Heyo."
⎯Did you see the articles?
Kyle's voice came out immediately. He didn't seem to be in the mood to joke around.
"Articles?"
I leaned back in the chair and thought for a moment.
"Oh, you mean those."
⎯What's going on? You must know something. They're starting to mention your name. Malovia, Malia… They're talking about—
"Don't worry about it."
My gaze moved towards the window.
"I've got it handled."
There was a short silence.
Then Kyle spoke again.
⎯Do you, though? This seems pretty serious.
"I know."
⎯Then who exactly did you provoke?
"Well…"
I looked towards the ceiling, giving the question a little thought.
