Friendship masked their rivalry.

Planned truancy, a bridge, and beer cemented the plan.

Rick muttered her name. Craig smirked: he had obtained the prize.

Rick, envy’s puppet, ignored his conscience. He would reclaim her.

Drunkenness settled; Rick’s hand to Craig’s back; a shove, and the end of a bitter contest.

Nicole J. Simms is a UK horror writer who also likes to explore other genres, such as crime and fantasy. She has been writing stories for over two years, and has so far had four short stories published, including “Caught up in Murder”, which can be found in the Dark Bard anthology. You can visit her at nicoles-designs.co.uk/NicoleJSimms.