by C. L. Stone
I handed a coffee over to Kota as Nathan was getting in. Kota grinned at me, taking it and snapping the top. He took a long, slow sip. His lips pursed after. “It’s too sweet.”
“She likes them,” Nathan said, reaching for one.
“It’s baby coffee,” Kota said. “It’s probably more a sugar rush than a caffeine buzz she’s getting.”
“Have to work her up to the other stuff.”
Kota put the car into reverse and started down the road. He picked up his phone as he headed out of Sunnyvale Court, punching at an icon and putting the phone to his face. “Victor? Just checking in. Haven’t heard from you. Yeah, I’ve got Sang and Nathan. We’re riding in today.”
“Hi, Victor,” I said.
“And Sang says hi,” Kota repeated. “No. You’ll see her in a second.” He hung up and smiled at me. “Victor says hi.”
“Didn’t even bother to say hi to me,” Nathan said, following with a sarcastic huff.
♥♥♥
When we got to school, the other guys were already there, clustered around a couple of the benches in the center courtyard. I felt edgy, and wanted to stand. Part of it was the coffee that rattled through my empty stomach like a Mexican jumping bean in a tin can. Mostly I was nervous about being back after having spent so much time away, and feeling like so much had happened. While there was a school holiday taking Thursday and Friday off last week, having been gone the entire week made it feel like a lifetime.
There was a sense inside me that students were watching, and they all knew. There’s Sang, the girl with a dead mother and parents who didn’t want her.
Gabriel was chatting with Kota. After a few moments, he spotted me. His eyebrows furrowed, and he shoved his fingers through a lock of blond hair, mixing it with the russet brown. “Oy,” he said. He curled his fingers at me, and patted the spot next to him, scooting over. “Come sit.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I felt like standing. I wedged myself onto the corner of the seat. My thigh pinched up against his.
He sat back, planting a hand on the bench right behind my butt. “I give you all those nice new clothes, and you’re fucking them up.” He tugged at the sleeve of the gray top. “You have to wear something brighter with that skirt. Now you’re just too dull.”
“I just wanted something comfortable,” I said.
“What’s not comfortable? Name something you have that isn’t comfortable and I’ll throw it out.” He studied my face. “Trouble, look at me, sweetie.”
I had thought I was looking at him, but I realized I was staring at the collar of his white shirt and the red tie, not looking at his face. I met his crystal blue eyes. My insides quivered enough that it rattled my arm against his.
“Whoa,” he said. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Sang, you’re shaking.”
“She always does that,” Silas said. He smiled from across the courtyard, winking at me with those dark brown eyes.
“It’s the coffee,” Nathan said. “She hasn’t eaten anything else.”
“Here,” Luke said. He shuffled into his book bag, pulling out a package of beef jerky sticks.
Gabriel caught the sticks one handed in the air. He bit down on the edge with his teeth into the plastic to open it and handed me the first one. “Here.”
Heat ran over my face, but I did as I was told. I still felt shaky, but at least there was something in my stomach.
The bell rang. Gabriel pouted. “Never enough time.” He gave me a quick little side hug before heading off to class.
I fell in line with North and Luke heading to homeroom. They were talking about the diner. I put my head on the desk, just so I wasn’t in the way of their conversation.
Mr. Ferguson mumbled the last of the names out for roll call. There was a buzzer on the intercom and a voice erupted from the speaker. “Mr. Ferguson, is ... Sang Sorenson in there?”
My head shot up off my desk. Luke sat up, gazing at me with his lips parted. A hand brushed at my back, telling me North was just as awake and paying attention.
Mr. Ferguson held the button below the intercom. “Yes, she’s here.”
“Have her come up to the office, please. Thank you.”
My mind flew into a frenzy. They knew about my parents. I’m an abandoned kid. They were going to cart Marie and I off to some shelter or something worse. My heart thundered in my chest. I really didn’t need this on my first day back.
“Leave your stuff,” Luke said. “I’ll take it to class.”
I nodded, releasing my book bag and the violin case to him. When I was standing, North’s eyes met mine and it looked like he was asking me if he should go along, too. I didn’t know how that would work so I drifted my hand in the air in a motion to suggest that he should stay. “Probably nothing,” I muttered to him.
I wished I felt that was true.
I walked alone through the empty hallways. My sandals echoed against the tile. I smoothed out the dark blue skirt, trying to push the hem down to ensure I was well within regulation. I tried to tell myself this had to be something trivial, like paperwork I forgot to get my parents to sign. Maybe I dropped something and it was being returned.
I entered the waiting room for the main office and the secretary asked me to have a seat. I felt flustered, wondering why they had asked me to come up if they were busy. I sat in one of the burnt orange chairs that almost matched the worn carpet. There was a buzz of movement, and paper shuffling, and phones ringing behind the half wall that separated the waiting room from the secretary’s desk.
The bell rang for class change. I swallowed. Kota and Gabriel would know I was called up. Luke was stuck carrying my things to class. Would I make it back in time to grab my things before the next class started?
I touched at the phone I carried in my bra as if to reassure myself it was there. I was tempted to ring up Mr. Blackbourne or Dr. Green and let them know I was uncomfortable, but I thought if it turned out to be some menial paperwork, it would be stupid to bug them.
Principal Hendricks’s hulky figure appeared in the opening to the hallway. His piercing gaze settled on me. “Miss Sang? Would you follow me?”
My mouth parted. I leapt up, intending to reach in for my phone but another administrator emerged from the front door, and I had to hurry to catch up with Principal Hendricks.
Hendricks waited for me inside the hallway. He allowed me to walk ahead of him, nudging me forward. There wasn’t a chance to grab the phone without him seeing I was trying to call for help. I regretted waiting so long.
The hallway to the principal’s office was quiet, with a lot of closed doors. Vice-Principal McCoy’s office door was closed, the light off. Maybe he was taking the day off. That was a relief. One was bad enough without the other.
The Principal left the door open as he walked over to his desk, sitting in the burgundy, oversized office chair. “Will you have a seat?”
I sat down in the smaller chair in front of his desk. I glanced around the room, noting the position of the vents and shadowed areas. I knew there were cameras watching Mr. McCoy’s office. Were there some in the principal's office? Could Mr. Blackbourne be watching now?
I sucked in a breath, holding it and waiting for what I was sure would be a detention or worse. I wouldn’t get called down to the principal’s office for paperwork.
Hendricks steepled his fingers under his chin. “Don’t look so scared. I just have a few questions. You’re not in any trouble.”
I sought relief in this but I felt there was a stipulation to the not being in trouble part.
“I noticed you didn’t make it to class last week. Is everything okay?”
My eyes widened. Did he know? I wasn’t sure if anyone, maybe Mr. Blackbourne, or my father, called about it. “I suppose so,” I said, trying to be very vague. I swallowed back some of my trembling. “I’m fine, sir.”
“Was it Academy recruiting week?” he asked. His dark eyes focused on me. “Did you have some special tests to
take? Or a series of interviews?”
My mouth popped open, surprised by his proposed idea. “Academy recruiting?”
His thick eyebrows shot up. “Mr. Blackbourne entered your schedule into the school computer. I thought he was only doing that for his own students. When I checked your transcripts, the records show your previous schools. You’re not from the Academy. Not yet at least.” He sat back in his chair, crossing his legs at the ankles, planting his elbows on the rests. “Mr. Blackbourne hasn’t picked up a student for the entire year, except you. I just wondered if they were talking to you about joining them. Maybe they’re promising you some sort of scholarship if you help them? I’m curious.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t sure how to reply. Would honesty work or should I refer him to Mr. Blackbourne? “I’ve never been to the Academy. I couldn’t tell you anything about it.”
He rubbed a finger under his chin as if considering. “Still, you are the only one they’ve taken any interest in.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to this. There wasn’t a question. My mind was flying with what I should have said. Should I let him assume they were trying to recruit me? My fingers itched to touch the phone, but it was awkward; using it now would be too obvious. I wished I’d let North or Luke follow me now.
His crocodile smile returned. “This is probably a good thing. I don’t know what you’ve heard about this Academy,” he said. “What have the boys told you about it?”
“It’s just a private school,” I said.
“Did you know they don’t allow visitors? Did you know the location of the school is unknown? Are you sure you want to trust a group of students like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s full of secrets, Miss Sang. The only reason to keep secrets is to hide something you’re doing wrong. What goes on there? Why are they so closed-lipped about it? Wouldn’t a school full of very intelligent students want to be known for their genius and high caliber?”
“I don’t know,” I said quietly, my eyes casting down to his desk rather than look at him. While his questions did give me something to think about, he made it seem like the boys were bad. They weren't. They helped people. They helped me.
They were always doing something then, and they’re always up to something now.
They were thieves, once. Derrick had said so. Could their seemingly good deeds actually be a ruse for something bigger? What could a poor school, one that couldn’t afford new books for the library, offer if they were looking to steal something?
“I wanted to know if you could help me out, Miss Sang. I’m a busy person and I can’t always keep tabs on everyone. I was wondering if you couldn’t keep your eyes open for me. Maybe find out what these so called gifted students are really up to.”
“Me? Why?”
“You’re a smart girl,” he said, “taking all those AP classes. I think I can trust you. This Academy, you have to admit, is dangerous. I’ve seen their fighting, and it resembles training I saw in the military. The school board has demanded they be here, so my hands are tied. They’re not interested in hearing about secret school locations and military training. You, however, might be able to learn something more interesting and once I have evidence, they’ll reconsider.”
I frowned. I knew he didn’t like them and didn’t want them. He expected me to help get rid of them? “What do you want from me?”
“It’s very simple,” he said. “Find out why they’re here. What interest do they have? You can’t tell me they’re here out of the kindness of their hearts. No one does that. Blackbourne and Green are barely out of high school themselves. They’re not being paid to be here. Why would they stay? Something’s not right. Don’t you agree?”
Again, I didn’t know how to answer him. While I agreed I was curious about what was going on, I was pretty sure his ideas were incorrect and the boys weren’t dangerous. Maybe he wasn’t so far off about there being another agenda, though. Were they really here because the school board asked them a favor? Maybe I’d been thinking about this the wrong way. Favors were returned. What could the school board have that Kota and the others would want?
“I think we can help each other,” he continued. “Those AP classes can be tough on a new student. I’m sure I can assist you with your education.”
I inched my head back at the bribery. “I think I can handle it.”
“I can make it easier,” he leaned in on his chair, sloping over his desk a little and lowering his voice. “Or perhaps you may find those AP classes a little harder than you thought?”
The question hung in the air and the meaning behind it was written all over his face. Tell him about the Academy or he’d make sure I couldn’t keep up. It could get worse, as well. He could request to see my parents, or give me detentions for the rest of the year if he wanted. What Mr. Hendricks didn’t know was I was the last person who needed this kind of attention, and if he did know, I had no doubt he’d use it to his advantage.
“Think about it,” he said, leaning back again and putting on that wicked smile. “But I’m sure you will keep your eyes open for me, won’t you? Just tell me where the school is. Tell me anything that you find out. I can figure it out, if you give me some place to start.”
My heart thundered but I steeled my body against a shiver, sharing eye contact, but not replying. His threat made me curious. If he thought I wanted in the Academy, why was he using me to spy on them? Maybe that’s why he focused on the school classes and my grades. Maybe he thought if I had poor grades, it was possible an elite Academy wouldn’t want someone like me. If I didn’t help him figure out what the Academy was, or help him try to get the boys out of his school, he’d make sure I couldn’t join them.
He stood up, motioning to the door. “I’ll call on you again, Miss Sang. I hope I don’t have to tell you to keep this to yourself?”
What could I do? He had to be insane to believe I wouldn’t contact Mr. Blackbourne about this the first chance I got. What if I saw something else and neglected to report it? Not that I would, but it still meant Mr. Hendricks could do something to my grades. Next year, the boys would be back at their Academy and where would I be?
I released a slow puff of air, standing and keeping my eyes focused on the floor. I didn’t want to confirm or deny anything he had said. I stepped quietly past him and out into the hallway, hugging my arms around myself.
“Have a good day,” he said. He closed the door behind me.
I shook in my sandals in the empty hallway, remaining for a moment as I contemplated whether I should find Mr. Blackbourne or go back to class to find Kota.
Mr. McCoy materialized at the other end of the otherwise empty hallway, strolling toward his office. His thick mustache twitched. His dark brown suit seemed tight on his body. My skin crawled at the sight of him and I ducked my head in an attempt to brush past without speaking to him.
His head lifted as we got close. “Sang Sorenson,” Mr. McCoy snapped his arm out until his palm was pressed to the wall, blocking my path. “What are you doing out of class?”
“Principal Hendricks asked for me,” I said quietly, focusing on an office door nearby to avoid getting a close look at his face. “But I’ve been dismissed.”
“In trouble,” he said. He made a clicking noise with his mouth.
“No, it wasn’t that.”
“You’re not a very good liar,” he said.
The arm that was on the wall slid down, wrapping around my waist. His fingers curled at my hip and gripped tightly.
I winced, tears catching in the corners of my eyes. My mind went blank. I crossed my arms over my chest, afraid to move, afraid to breathe. His fingers felt like they were burning right through my skirt, scarring my bare skin. Let me go, I pleaded silently as my voice refused to work.
He leaned in until I could smell the mix of salt and grease from whatever he had for breakfast that morning. “I’m watching you,” he said. He squeezed at my hip. I twisted my face away, stuffing
my hand to my mouth to avoid crying out. “I’m watching those boys, too. I know how they touch you. If I see one indecent act transpire between you, you’ll be in my office faster than you can blink.” He let go, and stomped down the hallway toward his office. He unlocked it, stepped inside and shut the door behind himself.
I leaned against the wall, gasping, trying to collect myself. My hip ached where he had gripped me. I was sure there would be bruises. I shivered. I needed the boys. Kota. Luke. Victor. Where were they? Could I tell them? No, I couldn’t say anything. I had to though. What would I say? My mind whirled and I moved forward without thinking. I collected a pass from the front desk. With a stiff face, I walked the lonely hallways again toward class.
REACTION
I walked to the trailer for English class. Before I entered, I drew in another breath, wiping my face to make sure there weren’t tears in my eyes. I wanted to look cool and collected.
Inside I was falling apart. Principal Hendricks had set me up. Mr. McCoy had knocked me over.
I opened the door to class, and sensed the eyes of everyone falling on me. I knew it was going to happen, but I still flinched and my cheeks heated. The heaviest gazes were from Kota, Luke and Gabriel. I felt their silent communication asking a million questions of me before I had a chance to move.
I dropped my head low and swept past the teacher, handing her my office note as I quietly padded over to my seat. My attempt at composure was collapsing with the boys so close.
Ms. Johnson continued to give her lecture on the current reading material. I fell into my seat, my lips pursed. I could feel the boys’ eyes on me, but I couldn’t look at them. If I did, I would cry or something and I couldn’t do that in class.
“Sang,” Kota whispered, the one-word command soothing and yet demanding at the same time.
Out of instinct, I looked up, catching his eyes.
It was all he needed.
Kota jumped up from his seat, addressing the teacher. “Ms. Johnson, I’m sorry to interrupt but Sang isn’t feeling well. May I take her to the nurse?”