The afternoon heat weighed down on the site as you hammered in the last board, the rhythmic pounding of your hammer drowning out any other noise. You straightened, bending your shoulders back, when you saw Alex over to the side, observing you with that smirk already settled on his face.

"Didn't think you'd make it this far," he said, arms crossed. "Thought you'd have given up by now. Gone off and done something… easier."

You didn’t respond, just grabbed the next board and moved past him.

He stepped slightly into your path. “Come on, sweetheart, don’t be like that. You’re doing alright—for a girl.”

You exhaled sharply, barely sparing him a glance. “Move.”

Alex chuckled. “Or what? Gonna swing that hammer at me?”

You denied him the pleasure of a reply. You pushed by him, your shoulder colliding with his, and headed off, retrieving the next set of nails as if he wasn't there.

Alex whistled low behind you. "Feisty," he commented.

You didn't turn around. Didn't reply.

The house wasn't going to build itself, and you had better things to do than entertain idiots.