Part III – (The Beginning of) the Clash
The deep freeze was on. It was official. As her vidscreen blipped on she saw that familiar face set with that same expression that he knew somehow grated on her nerves.
"Hey Pop," he saluted her.
"Hey Crackle," she said absentmindedly, already being pre-programmed to respond with such. It was an old, lame greeting that she couldn't quite remember when or why they started.
"So are you getting off at 6 for sure today?" he asked in his normal voice, which was deeper now but still distinct.
"If I can tidy up the mess I made. I had to empty out all the filing cabinets in one office just to find the stupid papers Daisy wanted," she frowned.
"And?" he prompted.
"No such luck. It was in the other office altogether . . ." she was really beginning to regret the free help she was giving her freeloading sisters. She loved them, but she felt more like their secretary, accountant, and manager than a sister who couldn't help but help. "So, if I can get rid of all that junk in about an hour and a half, plus finish up the rest of my work that's piled up for a week I'll be free."
"You don't sound very confident. Is it really that bad?" he asked.
"I'm not exaggerating, look . . ." the girl spun the screen to face the source of her distress. When it returned to her tired face he voiced, "Looks like that's a no then, huh? I got tickets to that monster truck rally that you wanted to go to but you said it was impossible because they were sold out. Well, I guess I'll have to find someone else . . ." the boy said in the voice that he used when he wanted to irk her.
For a split second her passive expression sported narrowed eyes before she responded, "Hey, the office can wait till tomorrow, besides, Lily and Violet don't get in until the afternoon so I can just do it in the morning. Daisy wouldn't be caught dead in the office anyway, she's too busy signing autographs," she said dryly.
"Glad fame hasn't gone to her head. Are you sure you're okay leaving it like that? You're usually very anal about cleaning up . . ." he teased.
"C'mon, do you want me to go with you or not? I suppose we could just forget the whole thing and you can come over here and help me organize everything," she said, slightly annoyed.
"Uh, no that's okay. So, I'll jet by and grab you at 6 and then it's crunching metal," he grinned. He knew she'd change her mind.
"Well, good job – I'll give you this one. Still, I better get some work done before I go. So get your ugly mug outta my face!" she said casually as a response to his smug grin.
"Ouch, harsh Misty. I'll get you back for that!" he promised.
She smirked, "Ash, I'd like to see that. Now shut it. Bye."
"Fine, don't believe me, you'll see. C'ya later then!" he ended the call and the screen flipped off.