Chapter 7

Pointing to the collar bone of the skeleton, Mrs. Polly asked, "Samantha, what is this called?"

Sam answered proudly, "The clavicle."

"Connor, what's this?" She moved her pointer to the lower part of the breast bone.

He answered unsure, "The sternum?"

Mrs. Polly smiled, "Yes, but what is this piece called on the sternum?"

Connor inhaled a breath, "the xiphoid process?"

She nodded her head, "Don't say it as a question. You know it."

Kate slid over and whispered, "That's the gay kid I was talking about." Kylie could feel her blood boiling at Kate's insistences to tell Kylie the latest gossip every five seconds. Why did Kate actually have to be smart and get into A.P. Anatomy and Physiology?

Kylie stared ahead and said, "Are you sure? He could be straight." Why the hell did it matter if he was gay? Who cares?

"He's geeky, smart and dresses too good." Kylie looked him over again. First off, he was wearing a uniform, and ohhh…geeky and smart. Well I guess two-thirds of men's population just turned gay in Kate's eyes. Kate continued to say, "Though, I saw Thea hanging with him a lot. Do you know if they're dating?"

Like I'd tell you, she thought bitterly.

Kylie shook her head and started to write notes to seem like she was paying attention. "So why were you late this morning to class? " Why do you make me want to vomit?

Kylie tried to contain a sigh as she thought back to this morning.

Wake Up Wake Up. On a Saturday night. Could be New York. Maybe Hollywood and Vine…. Kylie pushed the button on her cell phone. Flipping her covers off, she swiftly walked over to the bathroom connected to their bedroom. She had a quick list of things to do before catching up with Tyler. Her hair needed to be tamed, she had to throw on her new clothes Kate bought and her makeup needed to be done, legs need to be shaved and teeth had to be brushed. She glanced at her armpits and mumbled, "And they need to be shaved before someone gets there eye poked out."

But first she had to pee. Sitting down on the toilet she relieved herself and when she reach over for the toilet paper; she hit an empty roll. "You got to be kidding me. Who the hell doesn't put a new roll on anymore?" she said annoyed. The toilet paper was kept up in the top cabinet and the worst part was she couldn't call Abby over to get some. Abby decided a week ago to run in the mornings now. Like, she didn't run enough in cross-country or training.

Kylie whispered loudly, "Ben?" No answer. She said louder, "Ben." Still no answer, "Fine I tried being nice." She yelled louder, "Bennnn!" She heard a thump hit the ground, "Good you're up. Can you get me some t.p. please?"

Ben sulked with his head pointing down to the floor, "Do you know what time it is?"

She sat annoyed, "Do you know how it feels to have your ass stuck to a cold potty?" Ben jump up on the counter and step over the sink.

"Do you know how spoiled you sound right now? Let me remind you, the last time I used a proper bathroom was with a chamber pot. And we didn't have the comfy toilet paper that you have now…."

"Ben. I was there too."

Ben stretched up the cabinet on his hind legs and asked, "So why are you up this early?

She replied, "I had an epiphany last night. What time could I escape my double life? The morning!"

Ben had opened the cabinet and now pawed at the bag. "If," he stuck his tongue out trying to reach it, "it's too much Kylie you can pull back from this plan. I know it's been stressing you out and you cry practically every day." He finally swatted it to the floor and Kylie was able to bend over and attain a new roll.

"Keep turned around. Okay?" Ben faced the wall with his eyes closed until Kylie was situated.

Walking up to the sink to wash her hands she said, "I have too or else we may lose connection to Pogue for good. And Abby needs more time to investigate." She sighed, "It's really hard trying to convince not only Kate, but the girls that I've changed."

Ben said, "Kylie you put on a very good show. They are convinced that you have a love for the popularity. The only thing that would make it more believable would have been you and Abby getting into a fight."

She pulled her hair up in ponytail and glanced at Ben in the mirror, "Abby seems to do the opposite of what she's supposed to do."

Ben curled up on the rug, "True. I don't understand why she always evaluates the situation wrong? Athena was supposed to give her wisdom." He shook his head and asked, "How's it going persuading Kate?"

Kylie step into the tub and sat on the ledge so she could shave her legs. Kylie said as she threw the water on and placed the shaving cream on her legs, "I don't think Kate believes me yet. She may never."

Ben stretched his arms out, "Why not?"

Kylie replied, "It's like she knows that I'm only hanging out with her to keep a close eye on her. So she plays games with me."

"Games? Hmm…so Kate's testing you so often to see how far you will bend for her then." Ben was quick and clever; nothing ever got past him.

Kylie washed her legs off and quickly shaved her arm pits, "The first part of her test was to see how long I would stick around. Especially after putting me through fashion camp…."

Ben said, "She also challenges you on Val."

"I know. There was so many times I wanted to help Val and bitch out Kate for being so cold hearted."

Continuing what Ben was saying, "And her test seem to get more cruel. Like what happened to Maggie."

Kylie got up from the tub and dried her legs off, "Dang I got my shorts wet." She faced Ben, "Please don't mention her. I feel terrible enough." Grabbing her tooth brush Kylie said, "I think I messed up yesterday."

Ben asked, "How?" Kylie had already started to brush her teeth and tried to answer his question, but instead it came out as a mumbled sentence. She shook her head turn toward the sink to spit and rinsed her mouth from her toothpaste. "I told her off. And I said I wasn't going to participate in her next prank."

Ben glanced up curious, "And how did she react to that?"

Kylie shrugged her shoulders, "She told me that was fine. It's like it didn't faze her." She placed her toothbrush back in her container. "Kate still did her nasty prank," she twirled her body around and sat next to Ben, "I told you right?"

Ben curled beside her, "You gave me some details. She and some girls duct taped Stacy over the balcony library and lifted their skirt up so everyone could see."

Kylie pulled her legs in, "It was horrible. The poor little girl was crying and begging to be free by the end of it. I know no one likes her because well, she can be annoying and think she's the shit. But still she didn't deserve that." A tear started to stream down her face and she quickly wiped it away. "And no one helped her. Either kids just walked by not wanting to get involved or they joined in the laughter. I wanted to stop it sssooo bad, but I couldn't."

She hugged Ben, "She was enjoying the fact that I couuldn't do anything. Kate knows I have to have her acceptance."

"Katie what is this?" Mrs. Polly took notice at Kate's lack of attention. Kate stared at her pointer.

"Ah, Malleus?" Oh, so close. Not. Well I didn't say she was the brightest.

Mrs. Polly said, "Good try, Kate. Maybe we should pay attention more." Her eyes shifted to Kylie ready to test her. "Kylie, will you help her out?" Her pointer moved to the top part of the upper jaw again.

"The Upper Maxilla," she responded quickly.

Mrs. Polly smiled in shock, "Very good, Kylie." She continued on teaching and Kate had finally shut up because the teacher caught her. Quiet. She glanced down a couple rows spotting Tyler with his head resting on his crossed arms. Never had she felt so alone before. Was there relationship falling apart at the seams? Why couldn't he just tell her why he stopped her every time they got too heated? Did he not want her anymore?

Tyler turned in her direction as if he could hear her sad thoughts. Kylie glanced back down at her paper feeling miserable.

Booking it to room 110, Kylie carried a towel with her. Before knocking on the door, she checked if the door was unlocked. Opening the door, she saw all the beds were empty except for Tyler's, who was still asleep. If there's one thing she liked about being a guardian, it was knowing exactly where everyone was. Caleb, an early bird, left to get some breakfast, while Reid was warming up another girl's bed.

Creeping over to Tyler she switched off his alarm. No, today she was going to be his alarm. Snuggling next to him his weight shifted and he subconsciously turn toward her. Kylie moved closer and burrowed her face into his chest as she placed her arms around him. It was later on when the sun hit Kylie's face that she realized she fell asleep too. Hearing Tyler yawn, she opened her eyes and tilted her chin up. Tyler faced downward and held a surprised, yet happy face, "Good morning?"

Kylie moved closer to kiss his lips and replied, "Good-oh." She glanced down by reaction to the new member poking her. "Morning to you too."

Tyler's face flushed a little, "Sorry. I can't help it."

He shifted to move away, but Kylie kept her arms around him.

"That's okay Tyler. Let's just keep snuggling." He stood still for a second, but turned back toward her. She began to rub his back as she asked, "How did you sleep?"

His hands began to wrap around her, "Okay. I didn't get to bed until four because I had to beat the final boss on Metroid. How did you sleep?"

Kylie snuggled in closer wrapping her leg around his, "It was okay. Ben kept snoring loud."

She kissed his neck softly to his mouth. She pulled back and he said self-consciously, "I may have bad breath."

Kylie twisted herself over the bed and unrolled her towel, where she had a gum pack. She placed a piece in her mouth and bent back up with a smile. "We're good."

He smiled as they began to kiss again. She directed her attention back to his neck then to his chest. She was so happy he slept with no shirt on…it just turned her on more feeling the warmth of his skin. She would kiss him down to his belly and glide her hands down his sides to his inner thigh and back up. His hands quickly reached for her baby doll top and pulled it over her head. Kylie asked, "Can we sit up more?"

Tyler shifted his body back against the board and she sat between his legs.

Tyler asked as he chewed the piece of gum and said nervous, "So what did you do?"

Kylie about to kiss him again pulled away confused, "About what?"

Tyler's hands wrapped around her back inching to her bra, "Ben?"

Kylie smiled, "Oh, I found my ear plugs I used for swimming." She kissed his neck, to his chest and kept going lower to his boxers until Kylie said, "I need to take a shower." She got out of bed and Tyler looked very disappointed and for some reason slightly relieved. She decided to stop before he would stop her and rudely reject her. And just because he wasn't going to tell her what was going on, didn't mean she couldn't show him what he was missing.

Kylie grabbed her towel and walked into the bathroom to run the water. She could hear Tyler move around and say, "Shit. We're missing class. Kylie, did you hear me?"

Tyler received no answer and so he moved closer to the door and knocked. Still not getting an answer, he opened the door and peaked in. Kylie was by the mirror pulling her ponytail out and only wearing her towel. He coughed to get her attention as he gawked at her attire, "It's past nine."

She glanced over with a smile, "I know. I just wanted some alone time with you."

She stepped closer to him and gave him a hug. She glanced up, "You know I love you?"

Tyler looked at Kylie's eyes and said, "I know you do. I love you too." He kissed her forehead and Kylie then broke away from their embrace.

She started to walk over to the shower and say, "Isn't it weird there's still a drought going on." She dropped her towel giving Tyler a full show, "If you care to join me, we could conserve some water together." She jumped into the shower leaving Tyler with his mouth open.

Of, course he never did join her open invitation. "So what happened to you?" Kate whispered as she looked at her book.

Kylie responded, "Over slept."

"Attention. Will Mrs. Mulligan, Gallup, Tunney, Shiel, and Evans report to the office immediately." Kylie stood up and gathered her books feeling sick. It finally happened; they were going to be punished for all the shit they did. Following Kate out of the classroom they began to walk down the hall.

Kate turned quickly in front of Kylie's path, "Keep your talking minimal. Okay." She moved closer seeming threatening, "I'll handle it. Got it." Kylie nodded her head and thought, be my guest bitch.

As they walked into the main office, Provost Higgins, two cops and the other girls were waiting for their arrival as they sat in chairs. Provost Higgins nodded toward the cops for approval to speak, which was granted.

He said, "Ladies, Officer Yates and Jordan, are going to ask you individually questions for an investigation. If you need to call for your attorney's you can now. If you choose not to call now, please go to the teacher's lounge down the hall with them." Kylie looked at the other girls to judge everyone was nervous, especially Val, who was about her pale skin tone now.

Officer Yates asked, "Any objections?" Everyone seemed unsure and he said, "Miss Shiel, come this way."

Britt sat up and asked, "Can I ask a question before I go in?"

She was walking away from the girls and Officer Jordan said, "Of course?"

She paused, "Can I call the cops on my dad for grounding me. I'm 18." Brittany walked in the room and the cops exchanged a glance that said, she was kidding right? It was five minutes later when Brittany came back with the cops and they asked for the next girl. "Miss Mulligan."

When the officer's went away, the girls were left alone, with the exception of Mrs. Matthews, who was taking calls. Kara asked Brittany, "What's all this about?"

Brittany said, "Something about stolen stuff. They think we may have a lead on the missing stuff."

Kara replied, "That's dumb. How are suppose to know who stole stuff?"

Kylie glanced over to Kate, who gave her a look that said calm down. Kylie then stared at the floor and thought, this was bad. Kate had a favorite game she wanted her to play every time they went to a store. It was called Lohan Stash. Not really hard to get from the title, right? Kate could pin this on her so easily.

"Okay, Miss Tunny. Will you come this way?" Kate nodded her head at the officers.

No one had noticed, but before she entered the doors, she gave a half smile. Like this was going to be quick and easy. Kristen, on the other hand, just seemed annoyed wasting her time. She walked to the office door and Brittany asked, "Where are you going?"

She looked over to Brittany, "They said I can leave after they were done talking to me. Why aren't you going?"

Brittany replied, "They told me I could go back."

Kara sighed, "Britt, they meant you can go back to your dorm."

She gave a pout, "Oh. I really wanted ask them another question."

Kristen rolled her eyes and said, "I know I'm going to regret this, but what did you want to know?"

Brittany leaned in, "Remember in middle school when Jim and I were locked in the closest?"

Kristen nodded her head, "Yea, it was a dare."

Brittany nodded her head, "Remember we were dared to see how far we could go?"

Kristen knelled down by her, "I remember, you said you guys just got to second base."

Brittany looked down, "What happens if I didn't want too, but lied about it?" Kylie tensed up as the other girls stared at her with concern.

Kara said, "You didn't want too?"

Brittany replied, "No and I didn't tell anyone. Is that okay?" Kylie began to go pale as the thoughts came to her head. She was raped.

The room was starting to feel smaller to Kylie until Brittany said, "Can I go to jail for not doing my dare at all. Jimmy said it be fine, but I'm still edgy that the cops will get us."

Everyone slapped Brittany lightly for making them think down that dark path. The door handle clicked and Kate walked out smiling, "Thanks for the tip Officer Jordan."

The two cops moved closer to the remaining group and Officer Jordan asked, "It's come to our attention that Miss Gallup wasn't at Linebrook Mall on Friday, September 23, 2006. Is that true?" Kylie sat up at hearing Linebrook Mall. She never had taken anything from there. The place she stole from were at little dinky convenient stores.

Kara nodded her head, "Yea. I was visiting my friend, Brian Plagmen."

Officer Yates said, "Were going to get in touch with Mr. Plagmen and check if you story is true. Miss Evans, are you ready?" She nodded her head.

Kate looked over at them and commanded, "Kristen. Kara. Brittany. Let's go." Kate moved closer to Kylie, "I'll meet you in the parking lot."

Walking into the teacher's lounge she sat down on a wobbly plastic chair facing the two standing cops. "Hello Miss. Evans. This hasn't been your first time talking to the cops is it?" Officer Yates said as he opened a file.

Kylie replied, "No. Why?"

Officer Jordan explained, "We just want to make sure you haven't been bothered by Mr. Warner."

Officer Yates said bluntly, "Have you seen him?"

Kylie shifted, "No, I haven't."

Officer Jordan sat down across from her, "We're just going to ask a few questions and then you can leave. Okay?" Kylie nodded her head that she understood. "Were you at Linebrook Mall on Friday, September 23, 2006?"

Kylie said, "Yes, I was."

"Did you shop at Holister on that day?"

Shaking her head she replied, "No, I didn't. Plus, I don't go there because the perfume makes me sneeze too much."

Officer Yates grabbed his sandwich off the table, "Do you know anyone of your friends that went shopping at Holister that day?"

Kylie shrugged her shoulders, "Sorry I don't know. I went into the bookstore and then went to the food court after."

Officer Yates took a huge bit out of his sandwich and talked with his mouth full, "Can anyone verify that?"

She said, "Actually, Elliot Goodwin can. I met him in the book store, and then he walked with me to the food court."

Officer Jordan asked as she pushed a paper over to Kylie, "Have you seen these objects before?" Kylie glanced down at the paper to see pictures of a pair of gold hoop earrings, three sparkling gem rings and a pair of pink channel sunglasses.

After studying the paper for a few seconds she said, "No, I haven't."

Officer Yates sandwich fell apart and slide down his shirt and pants. He stood up wiping the remains off with his hand, "Damn it."

Officer Jordan rolled her eyes at her partner, "You can go Miss Evans." Kylie sat up and wished them a good day.

As she was walking out they started to talk. Officer Yates said, "Well it's clear. Five girls weren't in on the crime. And we have solid evidence with the video surveillance and the items found in Miss Lowe's locker."

Officer Jordan said, "Well, let's see what our last suspect has to say. She might have been framed and it may be here say."

Officer Yates shook his head, "I don't know. Kate had two witnesses to back up her story." Kylie exited the room and saw Valerie in almost tears when they called her name.

She stood up and when she got the teacher's lounge she said, "I would like to wait for my lawyer."

Going to the parking lot she spotted Kate's car, a purple convertible, by her escalade. Kate waved at Kylie to move faster and when she was in close distance Kate said, "What did I tell you. You're fine." Kylie bit her tongue again as she thought, she would have been fine, no matter what. She didn't do anything. "And if you don't get on my bad side it'll stay that way. Well I go," Kate said with a smile. She placed pink channel sunglasses on her face and said snidely, "See you tomorrow."