The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

Molly continued, “I don’t know. I just…knew you wouldn’t turn on me like them. You’re not like that.”

“I’m a bitch.”

“Yeah. You’re a bitch to them. You’re a bitch to who deserves it. Not me. Not Angela or Kayden. You’re anything but a bitch to us.” Molly wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye.

I was at a loss for words. My throat suddenly tightened.

Drawing in a shuddering breath, I muttered, “I…I gotta go. See you tomorrow.”

When I got to my locker, the hallways were completely empty, which was a good thing. I heaved a sigh of relief. I didn’t need to get into anything with anyone.

“Hey.” I was tapped from behind.

Turning, I saw Props standing, looking aggrieved. It was the only word I could think of to describe him.

“Hi.”

He handed me a flash drive. Gesturing to it, he said, “That’s for you. Everything. All trails, all traces, everything. Where each and every account wound up at.”

I was surprised. It had been a day. Within twenty-four hours, he had everything I asked for.

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, well,” he shuffled slightly, stuffing his hands in his pockets, “you get what I wanted?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yeah. You’re taking her to a concert at the Seven8 on Friday.”

“Oh yeah. Third Wave. They’re Aidrian’s favorite.”

This guy was a littler stalkerish.

“Um…yeah. I told her you’d show up with the tickets on Friday.”

“How’d you get her to agree to it, man? I mean, I never thought…you know.” He was excited and riding a wave of insomnia no doubt.

“I have to get the tickets first, but be ready Friday. I’ll get directions and her phone number—”

“Already have it. I know where she lives too.”

“Oh…um…okay.”

“The concert starts at eight, so I can pick her up at six-thirty.” The dude was all business now. He was gleaming.

“Alright, I’ll pass the message.” Then off he went, bouncing in the hallway giddily.

Just then a wave of students came back in from outside. The pep rally must’ve finished because lockers were quickly thrown open and bags were all grabbed. Every football player looked on a mission as they grabbed their stuff and darted back out to the parking lot. Their Greyhound must’ve been waiting.

I caught a glimpse of Mandy through the crowd. She was bouncing up and down, probably on a high from the pep rally. She threw her arms around Devon and gave him a long kiss.

Then my eyes trailed over their shoulders and met Tray’s. He’d been watching me and was walking towards me.

I grabbed my purse and nudged my locker door shut, slipping the flash drive into my front-pocket.

“Hey,” Tray greeted, standing a few feet away.