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Adina Hale: 31/3/2023

The events of last night replayed through my head on repeat. I haven't gotten one text from him since I left. Was it that bad?

The bright flash of the television strains my eyes and wakes me up from my reverie. As if on cue an image of the Collingwood football club's logo came to my attention.

My eyes trace carefully over the letters in bold.

"Collingwood's rising star admits his part in illicit substances,"

Once again, the drug scandal is back up. Whether that be from Essendon, West Coast, or even St Kilda; it was bound to happen.

To say that no other AFL player would ever take drugs would be a complete joke. As an officer, I can declare that almost 50% of those players have touched any type of drug during their life.

It's just another thing for the media to grab onto.

My eyes dart from the tv to the front door after hearing an obnoxiously vociferous thunderclap. The weather had turned after I had come inside, and I'm thankful I got back from - a less eventful run - in time.

Max whines beside me as he snuggles his head further into his dog bed. The trees outside begin to sway, and the clouds swirl. Melbourne weather, am I right?

The moonlight reflects off the wet patio and lightens up the room.

Ring Ring

A sound jerks both Max and me out of our position of comfort.

Ring Ring

The realisation slams my thoughts and I look at my phone reading the contact name

Ring Ring

Fallon Humphrey.

I click the green button and lift the phone to my right ear in anticipation.

"Hey Fal".

"Hey girl, what are you doing next Friday night?" I think for a moment as my mind has now faded just as badly as the weather outside.

"I'm not sure, probably nothing," I answer playing with the ends of my hair.

"I have a free ticket to Collingwood and Brissy's game, it's all sponsored through work," she answers politely awaiting my response.

"Yeah no problem, I'll clear my schedule," I put her on speaker as I begin to write out a message to my boss, explaining that I may have to leave earlier on Friday.

"Perfect!"

"Where is it?" I continue.

"It's at the Gabba," a hint of fear laced within her voice.

"Fal."

"I know what you're gonna say. You can't go because you can't miss another day of work. I get it, but just want to let you know, the plane tickets are all paid for, we get free food, and they pay for our accommodation." I hear faint ruffling in the back before she speaks up again. "And I also have to go because otherwise, Bruzzy'll get into trouble. Ashlee - his little girlfy - can't go."

"I'll go. I'll help you look after bruz."

"Thank you, he'll appreciate that," she answers, an obvious smile in her voice. "Well now I got that sorted, I have to go pack. You will too, we leave tomorrow,"

"What?! Tomorrow?!" before I can continue my tirade about how ill miss days off work she hangs up.

Fuck her, and her stepbrother.