Tickly
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Chapter 1 Part 2
🕑 Added 2025-02-20 19:29:34 +0000 UTC(Lily's POV)
The following days
I woke up as usual, like I completely forgot what I just did yesterday. But then, I realized: Three weeks. That’s how long I had until the experiment. Luckily, my semester would be over at the end of May, so at least I wouldn’t have to worry about balancing school with whatever was about to happen. Still, I felt… embarrassed. I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone—not my friends, not my family. It wasn’t something I wanted to explain.
‘Hey, I signed up for a tickling endurance experiment for money.’ Yeah, no. That conversation wasn’t happening.
I kept looking for other part-time jobs, hoping something else would come up so I wouldn’t have to go through with this. But nothing worked out. Either the pay was too low, or the hours were impossible, or I just didn’t care enough. The experiment was my only real option. So, as the days passed, I accepted the fact that I was really going to do this.
5th June
The night before the experiment.
I was getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth, tying my long, blonde hair back, slipping into my usual sleepwear. My mind kept circling back to what was coming tomorrow. The unknown. I tried to stay calm, telling myself it was just another job, just another way to make some money. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t that simple.
I crawled under my blanket, hugging it around me. No matter how much I tried to relax, my thoughts refused to quiet down. What would it be like? Would I be able to handle it? How bad would it get?
I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
It’s fine. Everything will be alright. At least, I hoped so.
I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to sleep. I knew - Tomorrow will come whether I’m ready or not.
The day of the experiment
The morning came faster than I expected. My alarm buzzed, dragging me out of restless sleep. I blinked up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the day settle in my chest. Today was the day. But I refused to let my nerves get the best of me.
I forced myself into my usual morning routine—brushing my teeth, washing my face, grabbing a quick breakfast. I tried to focus on the mundane, pretending this was just like any other day. But no matter how hard I tried to push it away, the thought kept creeping back.
I’m actually doing this.
I pulled up the address in my phone and checked the route. An hour drive. Not too bad. Maybe I could use the time to clear my head, though I doubted that would help much.
I got dressed, slipping on a black crop top and denim shorts, something light and comfortable. My hands hesitated for a second as I grabbed a pair of socks. Did it really matter? I shook my head and pulled on my pink no-show socks. It wasn’t like they would be paying attention to my outfit.
Standing at the door, I took a deep breath and slipped on my shoes. This was it. No turning back now.
I grabbed my keys and headed to my car, my mind still a storm of uncertainty. I could still just… drive somewhere else. Pretend I forgot. But no, I needed the money. And deep down, a part of me was curious—curious about what I had signed up for.
The engine rumbled to life as I pulled out of the driveway, setting my GPS for the experiment lab. The road stretched ahead, and with each passing mile, my heartbeat seemed to get a little faster.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
I pulled into the parking lot, my hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. The building in front of me was massive, sleek, and modern—almost futuristic-looking. It made the whole situation feel even more surreal. I took a deep breath, turned off the engine, and stepped out of the car.
Walking toward the entrance, I tried to keep my nerves in check. I had arrived a little early—1:44 PM, to be exact. My appointment wasn’t until 2:00 PM, but I figured it was better to be early than late. I stepped inside, and the cool air of the lobby hit me instantly. The place was even more impressive on the inside—clean lines, smooth surfaces, and a strangely sterile yet inviting atmosphere.
I made my way to the receptionist’s desk, forcing a small smile as I checked in. “Hi, I’m Lily. I have an appointment for 2 PM.”
The receptionist, a kind-looking woman with short brown hair, nodded and typed something into her computer. “Got you here. You’re a little early, but that’s fine. Please have a seat, and the scientist will be out shortly to greet you along with the other applicants.”
My stomach flipped. Other applicants?
I hadn’t really thought about that. I guess I just assumed I’d be doing this alone. My eyes darted around the waiting area, and that’s when I saw them. A girl and two guys, already seated on a sleek, black couch, looking just as nervous as I suddenly felt.
The girl was blonde, dressed in a white crop top and matching skirt, her legs covered in sheer nylons. She had a refined, almost elegant air about her, and her shoes were just as stylish. The guys, on the other hand, looked more casual but still put-together—both wearing black shirts and short black jeans. One had slightly tousled hair, and both wore grey ankle socks with normal shoes. They were talking quietly amongst themselves, though I could see the slight tension in their body language.
I hesitated for a second before turning toward an empty seat near them. As I sat down, I tried to calm the sudden rush of nerves. So I wasn’t alone in this. That made me feel… better? Or worse? I wasn’t sure yet.
One thing was certain—I wasn’t the only one wondering what the hell we had signed up for.
