A/N: Why are there no reviews:( Please review people! It is the only thing I look forward to!
Sazzy xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Disclaimer: Nope, STILL do not own Recess! I do however own my own writing and dark imagery.Hehe.
Dedication: All hustler kid fans, may your reign be long and happy.
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'Can you believe what he just told us?' TJ exclaimed as soon as they were out of the office. 'Who knew that Menlo was a hustler?'
'We don't know that for sure, he could be something else.' Vince said, shrugging.
'Oh come on Vince you heard Prickly, whatever Menlo was involved in HK is in as well. AND it has something to do with merchandise.' Spinelli insisted, pacing the corridor outside the door.
The others stood, confused; trying to make some sense out of the situation they had suddenly found themselves in. It amazed them that a few minutes could change so much. Mickey brushed back his blonde hair with a shaking hand and bit his knuckle in concentration. 'I have an idea,' he said. The others looked at him half-heartedly, knowing that his idea would probably involve a peaceful and poetic confrontation, regardless of the fact that there was something on the playground causing kids to be expelled.
'What is it Mickey?' Vince said with a sigh.
'Why don't we go and watch hustler kid? We can follow him after school and see where he goes,' he said, gesturing a plan with his arms.
They all lifted their heads and smiled at Mickey, patting him on the back and congratulating him for his plan. Maybe indirect confrontation was the best solution after all, though Gretchen didn't seem to think so.
'I think this is a bad idea you guys, if we all go after him then it will be very obvious and there is no place big enough for us to hide,' she said quickly.
'Gretchen does have a point,' TJ mused, 'maybe a few people should go at a time and then change at next Recess.'
They all nodded eagerly and after agreeing that TJ and Spinelli should be the first to spy, set out from the school door to first Recess.
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Hunched over the bath, I began scrubbing my coat. Gently at first, then the knowledge of the situation engulfed me and I began frantically scoring the fabric, dulling the colour and tearing the edges. I didn't care though. My best friend was gone and he was never going to come back. Tears began to stream down my cheeks as I began to choke. I let a burst of air come out before I dissolved into sobs once again, the foaming brush in one hand and the bloodstained coat in the other. I realised them both into the crimson water of the bath and watched them sail through the water. I raised my own hands and saw how they too were scratched and bleeding. Mixing my own blood with his. I sucked the side of my hand, the salty taste stinging my tongue and swirling around my mouth until I was forced to swallow. I began to choke again and plunged my hands into the boiling water. I screamed as I was scalded and cursed the bath. I grabbed the coat and continued to scrub, determined to clean myself of this memory and this feeling. I rinsed the coat in the sink and saw my coat, just as it was, but with no blood, no feeling. I sniffed and rinsed the brush in the sink too before I put it back on the side of the bath. Falling to my knees, I peered over the side of the bath, watching my own reflection stare back at me with hatred and disgust. I threw my fist onto the water and pulled the plug. The sound of the water surging and slurping away from me, taking my best friend with it. I said a silent prayer and grabbed my coat, still wet but I wore it anyway, feeling heavy not only with water but also with the memory of him. I stuffed my stock back inside the coat along with my cell phone and cards and marched out of the door, not looking back at Finger's body on the way out.
Just as the door closed behind me, the familiar tone of my phone echoed around my ears. I fumbled around in my pockets and pressed the speaker against my ear.
'Speak to me,' I said, rubbing the bridge of my nose between my fingers.
'Hey sweetie!' a voice screamed. I jerked the phone away from my head before my eardrum burst.
'Gretchen? Is that you? We've got a serious problem here,' I said urgently.
'Sugar buns let me speak first! Menlo got found out, he's been suspended and is going to be expelled!'
'What? How?'
'I don't know but someone must have ratted him out. We have been asked to spy on you to find out about the merchandise and the league! Oh honey lips it's awful, I knew we should have kicked him out when he became a square, the little prick.'
'Gretchen! Shut up! Fingers has been killed!'
Silence came from the other end of the line, I could hear school children in the background laughing and playing while Gretchen struggled to find words.
'My god, you are joking right? He is bringing my shipment in! I have people to supply! What about the merchandise? Where is it? Did you at least ge-'
'GRETCHEN! Can you stop thinking about yourself for one second? We need to lay low for a while and stop business. You still have the lot I gave you and you only have to get the money from Grotke. You made the threats right?'
'Yeah I said noon tomorrow. Oh sweetums, what about the league? We have to do something about everyone watching you.'
'I don't sell that stuff, you know that. I just supply you.'
'I know, but you go to the warehouse don't you?'
'Yeah, I wont go for a while, just to shake them off the trail. You've got to stop selling that stuff Gretchen.'
'That's for me to decide. Come back to school as quick as you can. See you soon honey bun. Bye!'
And with that she hung up the phone. I scoffed at her pet names and made a heavy sigh. It seemed that stopping Gretchen obsessing about me was the least of my troubles. That got me to wondering what my priorities were. So, as I ran to school, I made a list on the inside of my coat.
Killing the person who killed Fingers
Dealing with the league.
Telling Spinelli that I love her.
Telling Gretchen to leave me alone and that I love her best friend.
By the time I had finished I was at the front entrance of school and at the beady eyes of TJ, Spinelli, Gretchen, Mickey and Vince.
Great, exactly what I need; more problems to deal with.