New Message, To: Elliot Clayton

Gretta
Hey.

Elliot
Hey.

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Gretta
That was fast!

Elliot
I'm usually up at this time.

Gretta
That doesn't sound healthy.

Elliot
And yet...you're here texting me.

Gretta
Ugh! Even in your texts, you sound smug!

Elliot
Just saying ;)

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Elliot
So did you need something?

Gretta
Can't sleep.

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Gretta
Needed something to distract me.

Elliot
Did you miss me? ;)

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Gretta
Shut up.

Elliot
That's not a no.

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Gretta
Let me put it this way: You're growing on me and my gut is telling that that may be a bad idea.

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Gretta
Maybe you're okay, but I have terrible trust issues. Last time I made friends, it didn't end well.

Elliot
Why?

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Gretta
A story for another time.

Elliot
That bad, huh?

Gretta
Yeah...

Elliot
Didn't mean to bring up a sensitive subject.

Gretta
It's okay. You didn't know.

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Gretta
You're a lot more considerate than you let on.

Elliot
It's late.

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Elliot
My guard is down.

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Elliot
You've just caught me at a bad time, that's all.

Gretta
Uh-huh. Of course that's the reason.

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Elliot
And...I know what that's like. Having something from the past that you'd rather not talk about.

Gretta
Does it have to do with your parents?

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Elliot
Yeah. They aren't dead or anything but they aren't...exactly around.

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Gretta
Ouch...what happened?

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Elliot
A story for another time.

Gretta
Touché, Clayton.

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Elliot
So...is this helping distract you?

Gretta
A little. You seem to do that a lot.

Elliot
What?

Gretta
Distract me.

Elliot
Oh? ;)

Gretta
Not like that.

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Gretta
We barely know each other.

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Gretta
I mean you distract me with your smug attitude and massive ego.

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Elliot
Not my fault I was born with such brilliance.

Gretta
My point exactly.

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Elliot
We could get to know each other better.

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Gretta
We probably could.

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Gretta
But it's late.

Elliot
Don't see how that's an obstacle.

Gretta
I'd like to get some actual rest unlike some people.

Elliot
I do sleep for the record.

Gretta
I'll believe it when I see it.

Elliot
So...that's a no to getting to know each other?

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Gretta
Not exactly. We have been working together, after all

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Gretta
But I need you to do something for me.

Elliot
...what is it?

Gretta
I need to giving me credit for my work on cases, in exchange I will give more details about my life and vice versa.

Elliot
IF you do anymore cases.

Gretta
Oh believe me, I will.

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Gretta
I'm afraid you're stuck with me ;)

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Elliot
Fine.

Gretta
Oh.

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Gretta
I was expecting some pushback.

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Elliot
So was I. But getting to know your mysterious past is very tempting.

Gretta
My past is not mysterious!

Elliot
Seems like it to me.

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Elliot
Clearly you have a vendetta against Pacific Bay for reasons unexplained.

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Elliot
And you have some sort of issue with alcohol.

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Gretta
Okay, you got me there.

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Gretta
But not like you're any better.

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Gretta
Aside from your hacking prowess, your past is pretty mysterious to me too.

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Elliot
Touché, Kemble.

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Gretta
As interesting as this conversation is...my eyelids are slowly starting to close.

Elliot
Mm...well, I'll leave you alone then. Probably should go to sleep myself.

Gretta
Thanks!

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Gretta
Just promise you won't hack into my phone or something to find about me.

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Gretta
If you do, I swear I will murder you once we get to Germany!

Elliot
Careful, Gretta. Someone could easily see your text messages as a threat.

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Elliot
But seriously, I won't hack into your phone: I promise.

Gretta
You'd better.

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Gretta
Goodnight, Elliot. See you in Germany.

Elliot
Goodnight, Gretta. See you tomorrow.

Author's Notes

Wasn't sure where make this announcement but I'll put it here: starting Monday I'm going to be a high school senior. This year shouldn't be too tough (thank god 'cuz last year was an absolute nightmare!) but updates may be a bit slower than usual. This is a book that I will be updating whenever I can (a few other books are the same). If you want to see my writing schedule for the year, check out my profile guide, Bat's Profile Guide, for more info :)

There are several ways to format text messages in books, but I chose a classic.

I use to do text messages in my Batfamily series and put emojis next to the names but I decided to keep it more simple this time <3

I hope Elliot doesn't come off too out of character here. I doubt it but you can't be certain😅

Also Gretta may not say it here but she already is attracted to/likes Elliot, but will she admit it? Absolutely not!

I think it's totally possible that they both like each other actually, but right now they're testing the waters so to speak, seeing how this goes. After all, they've only known each other for a few days at this point, maybe a week.

Chapters 9 and 10 should be out soon!

BatgirlGeek❤️