Coolest Girl in Town

After what felt like a long moment, Jack was the first one to break the tense silence by saying, “It seems like you thought I was joking the last time we met, Craig. But, unfortunately, your happy days are numbered.”

“Whatever, man. Go right ahead, try and take me down. We’ll see if you’re just all talk,” Craig challenged with matching defiance.

He had already discerned from the exchange earlier that Jack had feelings for Winona. He can’t do anything to me as long as I stay with her, Craig thought.

On the other hand, Jack was unaware of what the other man was thinking. He only wanted to ruin Craig’s reputation and life as soon as possible. He shot Craig a glacial look, then took out his phone and made a call as he walked away.

…

Meanwhile, a week had gone by, and Andy still had not received the calligraphy Elise wrote at the mall the other day. He even called the Calligraphy Association Museum to ask if they had sent the work to the Archive, but the employee on the other line fumbled over his words and excuses. Eventually, Andy grew restless and decided to drop by the Archive himself.

When he got to the S-Class Archive, he saw that the employee had dozed off at the work desk.

Andy rapped his knuckles against the desk, and with two thuds, he managed to wake the employee up.

“Mr. Nixon!” The employee snapped out of his sleep and stood up as he apologized profusely, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to slack off during work hours. I was just really worn out. I promise this won’t happen again!”

“Don’t worry about it. I’d be sleeping like a log by now if I were you. It’s not the most interesting of jobs, to be fair,” Andy said with a dismissive wave, not wanting to pick on the employee. Then, without beating around the bush, he asked, “I had an item sent over last week that still has not been archived. Why is that?”

“Mr. Nixon, are you talking about Elise Sinclair’s calligraphy?” the employee asked.

“We’re in the S-Class Archive here, so who else would dare send something here unless they’re asking for humiliation?” Andy countered dryly.

“That’s true,” the employee agreed with a flustered smile. “I’ve been here for half a year now, but I’ve never received an S-Class item before.”

“So why haven’t you archived it?” Andy pressed. He had only one thing on his mind right now, and it was Elise’s calligraphy.

Calligraphy Contest finals this year, she has yet to become an official member of the Calligraphy Association. So, as protocol goes, we’re going to need to see where she places in the competition this year and wait for her to be assigned a rating before we can archive her

eyes lit up. “Are you saying Elise is on the list of contenders for this year’s

nodded with a blank look on his face.

the end of the long, dark tunnel. For the last few days, he had been using his grandson’s WhatsApp to text Elise, but she never replied to any of his messages. He was starting to think that he would never meet the genius behind such intricate calligraphy, but alas, fate decided to humor him with a miracle, for he

been a considerable lack of talent in the recent Calligraphy Contests, and Andy only ever showed up when he was invited as a guest

he knew Elise would be there, he was determined to stay for the entire run of the

the employee. He and Cody didn’t see

a picture of Elise’s calligraphy, which he had taken before this, into the group text meant for premium members of the Calligraphy Association. However, he did not provide any context, making it seem like he was trying to keep something exciting

that everyone in the group text would

at that handwriting!

on. Flattery won’t work without common sense. All of you should be familiar with Andy’s penmanship by now, and there’s no way that’s

for Andy. Stop hiding and explain this right

‘Paging for Andy!’

a minute or two, then clicked into the conversation to send in a voice note, saying, “I bet none of you saw this coming! I have discovered a genius, and she’s the one behind this work of art. She’s also a contestant for the Calligraphy Contest this year, so all you old

note was met with a frenzied

only decided

have a genius disciple and held out on us until now! That’s some

and tell me she isn’t a true master of calligraphy. Mind telling us more about her,

‘You must tell us!’

imperative that we

make it clear that I discovered her first! Don’t even think about

were up to. If he gave them a name, then they would hunt Elise down before the contest ended and have her become their

other members out so