United

Niall noticed the pink glow when Athena appeared at the doorway. He was curious to see what time she had exactly. He found the perfect moment when she reached out in order to hand him things. Niall grabbed the things and discarded them before turning Athena’s arm palm up. He met her eyes as she parted her lips to speak. She said something, but Niall paid her no attention. Niall always thought Athena was beautiful and daring. Although he enjoyed looking at her face, he redirected his attention to her arm.
He slowly slid the sleeve of her blazer up to her elbow to reveal the soft skin beneath. Niall traced the mesmerizing numbers, earning a gasp from Athena. He smirked; Niall knew the numbers matched the ones on his own forearm perfectly. He pulled her in and whispered into her ear. Luke was staring daggers at Niall the entire time. After Athena left, Niall finished fixing any minor details on his suit.
Niall knew all the secretaries knew each other personally, especially Luke, Payton, and Athena. Yes, Niall knew everyone’s name, but he found it amusing to tease Athena so he called her every name that started with “a” except her real name. Niall also noticed they all shared an australian accent. Another observation, Luke got pissed off anytime Niall made a sexist joke or flirted with Athena, but never Payton. He assumed that Luke liked Athena, but he didn’t have a timer. He wasn’t born with one at all because the timer turns into grey 0’s instead of going away. Luke had no markings. Niall wondered why because all babies born past 2017 had a timer.
Luke was somehow different and that is why he was assigned to be Niall’s secretary. The Chancellor wanted Niall to keep an eye on Luke. Problem is, the Chancellor should be more worried about Niall than Luke. Elections were scheduled for a month after today and Niall had a plan for taking the government down. He was worried about this stupid timer; it might get in the way.
“Lucas!” Niall called out.
Luke came in with a smile, but his demeanor showed he was… less than happy. Niall smirked knowing that it was his doing. Niall opened his mouth but closed it. He couldn’t speak freely to Luke here.
“Yes, sir?” Luke asked half-heartedly.
Niall cleared his previous thoughts, “So what do you know about Athena?”
“Just that she hates you.” Luke mumbled under his breath.
Niall heard him, but still turned to face him and asked, “What was that?”
“Um, I didn’t say anything.” Luke said.
“Why? Do you not want to answer my question?” Niall pushed.
“I… um.. I just don’t know her very well.” Luke stumbled flustered.
“Oh? So it’s not her birthday tomorrow?” Niall asks with a raised eyebrow.
“No. No, it is her birthday tomorrow.”
“21, Right?”
“Yeah.” Luke sighed.
“That’ll be all. Go back to doing whatever you were doing before,” Niall glances at the clock before continuing, “but you only have 10 minutes before both you and I need to be backstage.”
Luke nodded before walking out the door, letting the sun flood into the room. Niall stood in front of the full-length mirror looking at himself in the grey suit. The one button on the suit was buttoned, leaving the navy blue tie peaking from beneath. It clung to his body in all the right places. He clicked the brown dress shoes together and turned away from the mirror. When will I get Luke on my side? Niall sighed, dismissing the thought, he decided to go talk to his grandfather in the trailer next door.
“Grandfather, I wish to speak with you.” Niall met Athena’s gaze, “Alone.” The two were making eye contact for what felt like forever in Athena’s head. She finally broke it when she glanced into the trailer, following a figure. The Chancellor came into view.
“Anne-” He began.
“Athena.” Niall corrected his grandfather. Athena’s gaze leveled on Niall with surprise.
“Right, Athena, go backstage and wait for me there. Come get me if I’m not there within the next five minutes.” The Chancellor’s voice boomed orders.
“Now, grandfather, I was wondering if we could speak about the event today.” Niall said after Athena left.
Athena had to leave the trailer because Niall showed up, again. She still couldn’t get why he had said what he did earlier, but maybe that’s what he wanted. Stop thinking about it, Athena thought. She shouldn’t be thinking about Niall at all. He was just another one of the Chancellor’s jackass puppet trying to play mind games with her. Athena didn’t like Niall, nor would she ever. She only had to put up with him for a little while longer.

The event went by quickly, the candidates were announced, they gave a short speech, and then everyone began to leave. The Chancellor dismissed Athena after he got off the stage. Following her dismissal, Athena went searching for Payton, who might still be with Irwin. Instead of finding Payton, Athena ran into someone. Literally.
“Ow! Watch-” Athena snipped, but stopped when she met Luke’s blue gaze.
“Sorry about that.” Luke gave a small smile.
“Luke, what are you still doing here? Hasn’t Niall let you off yet?” Athena asked the blond boy.
“Yeah, he just let me off. I was heading to my car when I bumped into you. Anyway, I have to go, but I’ll see you tonight.” Luke rushed off before Athena could even think of a reply.
Well, that wasn’t weird at all, Athena thought. Athena looked around. The crowd was getting bigger. She opted to call Payton instead of rushing into the thick of it.
“Hello?” Payton groaned into the phone.
“Hey, Pay! Where are you?” Athena asked.
“I just got off because Ashton is a dick stick.” Payton mumbled.
“Well, are you coming over to my house or do you need a ride?”
“No, I brought my car. I’ll meet you there in 20, okay?”
“Alright, see you then. I love you!”
“Love you, bye.” Payton made a kissing sound.

30 minutes later and both girls were back at Athena’s. Payton had to pick up a few things from her flat down the hall before going to Athena’s. Payton brought popcorn, nail polish, make-up, and a bag of clothing. Payton and Athena were going to watch some movies before they headed over to the bar around 11 pm. They ordered some classic movies from the TV service. The government only approved two of the ten they ordered. Athena’s mother had recommended Weird Science and The Road to El Dorado, ironically the two that were approved.
The flat was filled with sounds of popcorn popping and its sweet aroma. Athena was in the kitchen pantry grabbing candy, chips, and other snacks she had. Payton was going through the menu on the oven. Athena laughed at the way the floating portscreen lit Payton’s face blue with all the lights out.
“What are you laughing at?” Payton snarled playfully.
“You.” Athena replied plainly.
“My life is a mess, I know. Anyway, the pizza costs 25 pieces, do you still want it?” She asked.
“What? Last week it was only 15 pieces.” Athena looked over Payton’s shoulder. “Ugh, I guess you’re right. Sure, I think I still have 100 pieces left in the bank.”
“Seriously?” Payton exclaimed, “I only have 10 pieces in the bank and I don’t get paid until next week.”
The gig of secretary barely paid for the living expenses everybody had to pay month to month. It was hard to keep money, but Athena was living off of the bare minimum.
“I’ve been saving up for a while.” Athena shrugged.
“Saving up for what?”
“Nothing in particular. Just things like emergencies.”
“Oh.” Payton sighed.
Athena nodded and pointed out that the pizza was finished. Payton opened the oven and with an oven mit, she removed the large pepperoni pizza from the shelf.
“I still don’t get how these things make food just… materialize.” Payton examined the pizza in awe.
“It’s not that they just materialize. The government estimates the amount of money you-”
“No, ma’am. I do not want to hear a single word about the government, it’s all so stupid.” Payton stubbornly interrupted.
“Well, I mean it-”
“No! It’s still my birthday. Your birthday is tomorrow, you want to talk government tomorrow, fine. Today however? Hell no.” Payton huffed.
“Fine, get the pizza and join me in the pillow fort.” Athena chuckled.
“I thought we agreed to call it the castle!” Payton yelled and Athena laughed. Athena had lined the room floor with pillows and blankets. The two had then put blankets draping over the couch so the pillowed area became a fort. Both Athena and Payton snuggled into the fort and pressed play. They watched Weird Science first then the Road to El Dorado. They had just finished both movies and were gossiping when Athena’s flat reminded her of the time.
“Ms. White, you set a timer for 8:00. It is now 8:00.” The monotone flat spoke.
“Okay, thank you. Can you pull up all of the different bars and clubs in our area?” Athena asked the air.
“Sure thing. Is that all?” The house spoke. A blue screen materialized in front of Athena. Every bar and club was listed with ratings and reviews.
“No, that’ll be all.” Athena said as she glanced at Payton.
“Have a nice night.” The flat finished.
“Okay, Pay, let’s pick out one and then start getting ready.” Athena said to Payton.
“Just swipe your finger across the screen and then turn away and randomly pick one. Let destiny take us where we need to go.” Payton smiled. Athena rolled her eyes, but did it anyway. When Athena looked back, she was greeted by an interesting place.
“The Golden Royale Night Club.” Athena said as she loomed over the file on the club, “It has five stars.”
“Fancy. Well, I’ll text Lukey Bear the address because the lil’ boy can’t do anything all on his lonesome.” Payton mocked in a baby voice.
“Stop being such a bitch and just text him already.” Athena joked. Payton flipped her off and grabbed her phone. While Pay texted Luke, Athena looked over the reviews. A lot of the reviews talked about how hard it was to get into the club without knowing somebody in high places. Athena would only have Payton on her arm and they were both secretaries. Payton wasn’t big in status or big in general. She stood at 5’1 and had a very slim body, but it went well with her long, brown hair and vividly green eyes. Athena wasn’t very different in height, she was 5’3, but she had dirty blonde hair with one blue eye and one green. Every brunette needs a blonde best friend as Payton liked to say.
Payton got up to retrieve her makeup. Athena only owned mascara and nude lipstick and didn’t really care to buy anything else. Payton was the exact opposite; she had almost every makeup product known to man, only high end too. The two offered to cover each other’s weaknesses because it was the other’s strength. Payton promised to do Athena’s makeup for the night as long as Athena did Pay’s nails. After they finished on each other, they would finish getting ready by themselves.
“Okay, blue eyes go with gold and brown eyes go with anything so we’ll go with a gold smokey eye.” Payton said as she sat in front of Athena with a large makeup bag.
An hour later and both girls were huddled in the small one person bathroom doing final touches. Athena finished placing the black nail polish on her pinky nail. She glanced up at Payton who was bending over the sink to brush mascara over her long eyelashes. She had gone for a purple eye look to accentuate her green eyes, she wore Athena’s nude lipstick, and had straightened her hair. Athena let her curled blonde hair hang over her shoulder as she joined Payton in the mirror. Athena didn’t recognize herself, she had a large amount of makeup on, and glossy pink lips. She felt hot. Payton pulled away from the mirror, put the wand back into the tub of mascara and turned to face Athena. Payton pursed her lips at how Athena was dressed.
“I thought I told you to get dressed.” Payton snickered.
“You said to get dressed in clothes, that skimpy outfit you got me was not clothes.” Athena shared Payton’s tone.
“It’s a crop top and I made sure to bring my longest pencil skirt. They’re both black so nobody can see your delicious curves that you never want to show off. I’m so petite that if I got half of the ass and boobs and keep a flat stomach like you do, I’d flaunt it 24/7.” Payton grabbed both of Athena’s cheeks, “You’re beautiful, live a little!”
“Fine, I’ll try it on, but we don’t wear the same size.” Athena said more as a question.
“Okay, maybe I bought it for you.” Payton mumbled.
“Pay! I told you not to buy me anything.” Athena smacked Payton jokingly.
“I’m sorry! I couldn’t help myself!” Payton joked back.
“Well, now I have to put it on.”
“Yes! Let’s see it!”
“Ew! Can you get out?”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve seen you naked since we were 8 and you can’t change in front of me now?”
“Whatever.” Athena said as she removed her shirt.

Niall had gone to the Golden Royale for some celebratory drinks with his friends and Luke. Niall was planning on Luke joining his side, but he had to watch who he was talking to and when he was doing it. Niall’s grandfather had communications set up everywhere. Niall had to tread lightly in order to not step on a landmine of his grandfather’s rage. Niall was talking to a friend until a familiar fellow blond came into view. Luke sat next to Niall in the VIP booth that overlooked the dance floor.
“Luke, you made it lad!” Niall yelled over the music.
“Well, Athena and Payton are coming here so might as well kill two birds with one stone.” Luke said as he made eye contact.
“Athena, huh?” Niall pondered, “Celebrating her birthday?”
“It’s not quite Athena’s birthday, it is Payton’s, but I didn’t come here to discuss my choice in friendship, I hope.” Luke lifted his eyebrow. “Why did you tell me that after the event?”
“I thought maybe you and I could be pals!” Niall exclaimed, but motioned for Luke to look over. Niall had made a note.

The cameras can’t see us back here, but they can definitely hear us. I’ll tell you later.

Luke nodded in response. A waiter arrived at the table and placed two cups of dark liquid and left after Niall dismissed him. Niall offered Luke one and threw back the other.
After Luke downed his own drink, Niall cleared his throat before he spoke, “So how are Athena and Payton getting into the club exactly? I know they’re not on the list. I know everyone on the list.”
“I don’t think they-” A buzz came from Luke’s wrist, “Speak of the devils, they’re at the back of the line.”
“I can fix that.” Niall flags down a waiter and whispers something into his ear. The waiter disappears in a hurrying. Niall turned to Luke with a large smile that Luke does not reciprocate. Niall’s quickly fades away as he picks up one of the few beers that litter the table. Neither Niall nor Luke could see each other’s faces as the only real light, besides those that lit the floor so drunk dicks didn’t trip in the dark, were the strobing lights that lingered from the dance floor up to VIP. Niall, however, knew that Luke was staring at him cautiously.

Notes