Chapter Thirty-Two

Pinkie leaned back against Chad whilst propping her calves on Derby's lap. Her snippy laughs came naturally whenever an insult was tossed. Chad happened to continuously rub his shoulder, brushing his arm against Pinkie's chest. Justin pretended to be attentive during the prep meeting, but was really watching muted cartoons on his phone. Derby soaked in the attention from being the main speaker.

Bif couldn't exactly remember how the informal get together had come about. He assumed that his own attendance was the result of following their leader back after class. Usually the red head tried to memorize every moment he spent with his best friend, but he was just so exhausted. There was all the schoolwork he had to find time to do in privacy. He had been secretly socializing with Gord a few times a week. And, at Derby's request, he had been keeping close tabs on Jimmy. It seemed like he was spending most of his time incognito. It was quite taxing.

Somehow, Pinkie had managed to get the floor away from her cousin. Bif tried to hide his look of disgust while she regaled her adventure of cutting in the lunch line. "So then the stupid twat told me to go to the end of the line! It was appalling to hear such commoner speak to me like that. We really should implement a caste system here."

"Hm… yes we should." Derby replied. It was obvious that he had been too busy waiting for his turn to talk again to listen. He had something up his sleeve. "So Bif,"

"Yes?"

"How has your little investigation been faring? Do you have any notes?"

What was there to say? "Hopkins has not made any contact with Vendrome yet. His judgment does not appear to be as heavily affected by the split as we had anticipated." All eyes stared at him, inquiring for more. Jesus, had he been like this in the past? "Um, they both seem sad."

"Really? They both seem sad?"

Bif nodded.

"You have spent weeks looking into this, and that is what you choose to report back? They both seem sad! And I suppose next you will tell me that Algie is a bit on the overweight side."

He really hated to be chided like this. In the past, he had been so intoxicated by his friend that that treatment didn't faze him, but the curtain was beginning to rise. "What else would you have me tell you? I don't know what you want to hear."

"I want to hear that you've stopped acting like a filthy democrat and have started to take your assignments seriously! We've a plan to set in motion and it won't work without intel."

"Yeah Bif, I want to see what happens! It is going to be delicious." Pinkie chirped, delighted. The others seemed to be just as excited.

"You've got what you wanted Derby; Gord is miserable. I don't think—"

"That's right Bif! You don't think! I do. I am a Harrington. We stick to our guns and we have no superiors. James Hopkins must fall." The others cheered a little. Derby became sidetracked with his own greatness and the meeting went slack for a while. That is until the young Harrington glowered at the boxer and threw out, "Bif, you've got an uncanny ability to speak with the low of status," That was a jab. "I will need you to give Hopkins a message tomorrow evening. Let's say, oh at six thirty."

He slumped as he made his way through the crowds of kids throwing snowballs. How had Derby convinced him to go through with this? It hadn't come from debasing or threats. Oh, that was right! Bif finally agreed when the blonde asked him in private. In Bif's room. Without a shirt on. I wonder if he knows the way he affects me.

Derby had become interested in Zoe. Justin had been sent to learn of her ideas towards the breakup between Gord and Jimmy. Apparently, her mind was set in a way that could prove to be beneficial towards his plans. Bif was no longer given the exact play by plays of the scheme.

He checked his digital watch while pretending to be interested in a lopsided snowman Pedro constructed. Hopkins was sitting on top of a brick wall, observing all of the festivities. The time was about right, so Bif trudged himself up to the king.

"Hopkins."

"What do you want?"

"Keep it down will you?" Bif feigned being nervous and darted his eyes around. "I should not be telling you this, but it is urgent."

"I don't want to hear it." His beady eyes looked ready to learn though.

"The preps," Again, Bif searched for imaginary eavesdroppers. "They're planning to start a new clique war against the greasers."

"Why the hell would you be telling me this? You'd never go behind Derby's back." Jimmy paused and then pitched, "And I don't even care what happens with you rich assholes or those sleaze balls."

"They've got three of them just down the road towards New Coventry. The first phase is a thorough egg pelting."

"I don't care!"

"Zoe is one of the cornered three."

It wasn't immediate, but Jimmy did get down from the wall. He shot Bif a glare. "She's not one of them."

"Whatever you say."

He started to take off, but stopped to turn back. "Why would greasers need me to help them against you guys? Most of you preppies really suck."

"Power in numbers my friend. Nearly all of our residents are down there, even some of the kids. We were trying to make a point, but I fear it may go too far. You have no doubt seen the contempt Pinkie holds towards other girls."

"Pinkie's there?"

"She's running the show."

"Fine, but this better not be one of your stupid plans again or something. I'm in no mood Bif!"

Jimmy stormed off so quickly, that Bif had to jolt forward to catch back up with him. He had forgotten to throw in his final line. "Oh and Hopkins?"

"What?" He answered, not slowing down or looking over.

"Let's not tell Derby about this little conversation."