5.10 Take a dive

Beautiful and warm, the summerday had to be celebrated as tradition said. Well, having a poolparty might not be a real tradition, but Neda did her best to suck up to her boss and coworkers. She was still hoping they would stop their dumb pranks if they just liked her enough.

As Steve did his best not dying as he slipped off the slimy diveboard, he fell chest first into the water instead. He wasn't sure what was worst either; that it hurt so badly, or that he could almost hear footwarts popping up.

It might not be the cleanest place they had been, but it was way cheaper than renting the bathhurst pool.

Ideally she'd just taken the day completely off, and go to the festival with her fiancee and kids. But with springsdisaster fresh in mind, she still hoped for more quiet workdays. Fine, as much as she didn't want to admit it; Bai was getting old so hopefully he'd retire. And if he did, one of the others would take over his position. Or, if she did this right, she might take over his position; even if it wasn't very likely. She was allowed to try.

For once, she wasn't the only woman present. Bai had brought his wife Dove. And Vidar had brought his wife Mabel. Neda had never met the woman before, but she was quite the chatty type.

So, you're the new journalist? Blogger, was it?

Neda had been "promoted" to blogger, so she just worked a few hours a day now. Which meant that the paychecks were pretty thin. Bai had insisted it was a good idea, since he claimed young sims read blogs. They didn't, but as long as it meant she could avoid twitsim, simblr and their like, she didn't care.

Yeah, that's right... Blogger. She wondered if sims thought she was like one of those pink-bloggers, and not a real journalist.

Are the guys treating you fair then? 

Why? Had she heard anything? Did that stupid husband of Mabels gossip about her?! Neda wasn't really a skilled writer, but she wasn't bad either. Pretty average really.

Yes. They are great. I feel really welcome!

Wonder if her honest smile seemed belivable enough. She wasn't beeing harassed or anything, but the same damned "prank" once a week was really getting annoying.

That's good to hear, because they were kind of pricks to the last young girl that started there.

They were? I haven't heard anything about that.

Strange, but why would they tell? Maybe it was a trend they had going or something.

That's right. They kept putting her stuff in pudding, gum on her chair and immature things like that. Poor girl got so sick of it, that she quit. 

Is that so?

That meant they did this to all the rookies, or just to the young ones. Neda atleast was pretty sure that they hadn't intended to litterally get her to quit. The pranks were to harmless for that. 

Mabel continued: I think they're just worried about beeing replaced. Vidar isn't a great journalist, and neither is Benny. They're both decent, but nowwhere near Bais skills. She finished with a sigh.

Neda pretended she hadn't noticed Mabel saying her own husband wasn't very good. They were both better than her though. Yikes.

They aren't good writers?

Nope. The paper used to be a lot better before; heavier you know. But I think the owners wanted something different. Bai still makes sure that it's atleast a bit serious. When he retires, it'll take a toll on the quality.

Oh, so now she very likely had a possible loss of job in the future? She hoped Bai didn't retire then. She'd rather write a blog, then be out of work. Ofcourse, Mabel hadn't hinted anything about that, but Neda had to be as pessimistic as possible. Her looser- quality made sure she knew how to live with dissapointment.

They were interruped when Benny got out of the water, and decided to join them. Who knew how long Vidar had stood there though. Clearly Mabel didn't care if he'd heard them. He didn't seem to be any wiser.

Argh! Mabel! Vidar whined: I think... I think a ladybug flew up my nose!!

Mabel rolled her eyes and whispered: Having a husband is like having a child that'll never develop, and gets more useless as each day pass by. 

Luckily Vidar only had a little allergy, and no poor ladybug was stuck up his nose. Mabel just thought it was good he was pretty, or she'd never marry him.

Neda sat down to rest a bit. She got tired easily now a days. She was already pregnant again, even if she was barely showing. Steve and her had postponed the wedding when Aurelius was born, and now they were going to do it again.

Maybe he didn't want to get married at all. Maybe he just wanted to stay engaged. She kind of understood why. Kids were expensive and timeconsuming. But she didn't need a big wedding or anything.

Noticing Benny staring at her, Neda also had a sneaking suspicion that serving alcohol hadn't been the best idea. It wasn't anything strong, but the more the guests consumed, the higher the chance he mentioned they slept together.

She slapped on one of her polite grins, hoping it would get him to stop staring.

She really had to stop smiling. It was something about her smiles that invited sims to talk to her, even when she hoped they said "stay away from me, I'm just smiling to be polite".

I heard you got the intervju with the army informant. You did a really good job. 

Bennys breath had a faint taint of sweet alcohol, but she tried not to pull a face at the sudden smell. She'd expected he'd be mad at it, so it was a nice change.

Thanks! It was just theft of food, that was supposed to be sent to troops abroad. 

It allegedly was supposed to mean something, but she'd never really gotten why. Neda had just quoted the expert instead. Ofcourse that article had been published in the real paper, and not on the blog. Couldn't post anything interesting on that ofcourse, because then someone might take her serious as a journalist.

Well, it was still a good article. 

Neda just ended up beeing suspicious at the sudden niceness. What was really going on? Was he planning another prank or something. Here, at the poolparty maybe?

Unfortunately, it was a lot worse than that: I don't mean to come off as nosy. But, I've noticed your boyfriend has barely even looked at you whilst we've been here. And he hasn't helped you with anything either. 

She hoped that he'd stop to clear his throat of something, so that she'd had time to stop him before it went further. But, Neda wasn't dealt a good hand in life. Atleast for the mistakes she chose to make.

I thought about what happened between us. You know, my wife just doesn't understand me. But you and me Neda, we had a good thing there and...

He stopped when he finally noticed the look on her face. She knew exactely where this conversation was going. A "no" had never been shown more clearly without the use of words.

Out of nowwhere, Steve interrupted them. His eyes had a drunk shine in them, without Neda understanding how. It wasn't that much alcohol here, unless ofcourse someone had taken their own with them.

Hey! Hey Neda. Neda. Check it out! I talked with Bai, and he totally dared me. Just look. Just look now, okay? Look now!

You're bonding with Bai? That's so nice Steve! 

If he made a good impression, maybe she'd get his job if he retired instead of gross Benny. She could almost smell that promotion coming up already! And Steve got a friend, yeah that probably mattered to.

Yeah, but Neda! Neda! Look! Look! It's really awesome. Are you looking? Look Neda! Are you looking? 

Yes, I'm looking. 

He had some weird teenager-grin on his face, but did he have to sound like one because of that? Damnit, she was looking!

Steve bent down and grabbed a handful of dirt: Look Neda, look! Bai said I wouldn't do it!!

Then he got that weird teenager- boy giggle again.
 

Steve took his hand to his face, and licked it all up; sand, alges, dirt and sim knows what. Neda felt herself getting nauseous, to think she'd kissed that mouth. How often did he do that.

Even Benny was grossed out: That... that is disgusting. 

Steve!  

Neda was so embarassed. How could he behave like that infront of everyone she worked with? This was humiliating. Couldn't he just have acted grown- up this one time. Just one damned time!

Like the small child trapped in an adult body he was, Steve ran off to brag to Bai. She stared after him as he ran off. Yeah, this was still humiliating. Why did everything she tried to do, get ruined.

She knew it was bad, when even Benny reacted: That was disgusting. Neda, how can you date that guy, and have his kid? Ofcourse, he's just a boy. And you're a woman Neda. A woman needs a real man. 

Benny also had to much to drink it seems. Why couldn't he just shut up, and Steve act normal?

No such luck, because he didn't just shut up. Ever!

I get that you might be hesitant, but we're so good together. He meant in the elevator, not at work: My wife, she's not really enough anymore. She doesn't appreciate what I do for her. I work so much, and she just keeps on nagging!

Well, beeing a journalist wasn't really the hard work that he made it out to be. Not for them atleast.

... you have to feel it to Neda. 

He just wouldn't shut up about it either. Like she was dumb enough to fall for that "my wife doesn't bla bla whatever" garbage.

Shut up Benny! I'm not interested! It was a once in a lifetime thing! You're old! Okay?
  

Quickly lowering her voice even more, she continued to an angrier co- worker: It's never going to happen again. I'm not doing that to Steve again and sure as hell not with an old man like you.

What did you say?

Where the hell was he coming from all the time? Was he running back and forth or something? Steve was a real ninja today.

What? I just told Benny that I'm not interested in his take on my blog. He's to old to know this stuff!
 
The lie was so pathetic that she never thought he'd believe it.

Steve stuffed a finger in her face: You! You're ungrateful! That's what you are. You're always complaining that I never do enough around the house, that I don't spend enough time with the kids.

She'd had it with horny coworkers and idiot fiancees. Why couldn't they just behave already? She just wanted one damned party without drama!

Well, boohoo! Neda spat, completely forgetting about keeping face: You always use that damned tv- game anyway! Besides, you DON'T help with the kids. Changing a diaper I just changed once a week isn't anything to brag about! And now I'm pregnant again! And we're having another one! And that would make FOUR babies for me!

This! This was what Mabel meant. Kids learned an grew, but men just didn't. They just bled every cell of patience out of you and then whined when you couldn't take it anymore! Calm down Neda, she kept telling herself. Remember that there's a potential for promotion in the future.

Benny gave his unwanted opinion once again: If you were my girlfriend, I'd treat you right. 

No one asked for your opinion Benny!

The look Steve looked from one of them to the other, showed he was getting suspicious. Come on. She didn't deserve this. She deserved a little peace.

This was not turning into what she's wanted it to be. She'd wanted a nice little party, so she could smooch up to Bai. And she hadn't even been able to talk to him, all because of those annoying guys. What if he'd heard what they'd been talking about?

Neda gave up and decided on taking a dip to cool down. He wasn't going to tell Steve anything. Benny would be to worried about getting beaten up. Because atleast he must have seen that Steve was a little unstable when drinking

Mabel had some mercy on her and joined in a breathholding contest.

Even if it took a while, Steve eventually got back to his old, calmer self. They hugged it out without an appology. The little nervousness she'd felt melted away in his arms. So Benny hadn't said anything, just as she'd anticipated.

Vidar had gotten way excited at all that drama. This was so much better than his soapopera!

As he'd payed more attention than anyone would've guessed, he went up to the host and offered some positivity. The girl had worked pretty hard after all, and it was nice to have some parties together for a change.

This is a really good party Neda. Everyone's enjoying themselves.

It wasn't a lie either. Everyone was semi- drunk and having fun in the water.

Steve laughed scornfully: Good? Good?! This is a joke, that's what it is! This whole thing is a cheap joke. You didn't even get any real food, just some pathetic tofu- dogs!

He even pointed at her, to show everyone that the mocking laughter was aimed at her. She was so sick of that behaviour. She was taking care of two kids, worked fulltime and he was just mooching around, trying to break through as an author!

If you don't like the food, you could've helped me then! 

She was overworked and pregnant, and he was complaining. Infront of everyone. And that tone of his drove her insane!

Well, they aren't my co- workers. Steve teased.

I'm your fiance! You should help either way! 

Because that's what you did in relationships! Helped eachother! What the hell was the point of living with someone, when they never lifted a finger out of their own free will?

You are nothing but a mean and petty drunk Steve! 

Finally, that wiped that mocking grin off his face.

Oh no, you didn't! Vegard thought he'd die of all that sass! He'd never thought Neda had so much drama going on! Oh, he was going to talk about this with his wife the rest of the day!

Still, Steve looked more bored than anything. Bored after she yelled at him. How could he do this to her?!

She waited until everyone "just had to go" after her little outburst before confronting him.

Steve. What's gotten into you? What's wrong?

She could've sworn the water dripping down on the waterslide hadn't been this loud earlier.

Benny told me. Is it true?

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*insert dramatic music here*

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