“Move over!”
Bianca’s nasal voice jarred us out of our concentration. I scooted from my position behind the school bus, and created a little space for Bianca to squeeze in-between our crazy group.
“Why are your lips glossy?” Austin asked her.
She flicked her hair in defiance. “No one said there was a rule against that.”
“Bianca, it is nighttime, we are on a stakeout. Why are you all made up?” Reese’s lips were curled in a sneer as he asked this.
Bianca ignored him and tapped my shoulder instead. “Hey, Elena. What’s the status?”
“Well, the guard hasn’t moved from his position for the past…” I looked at my phone “…fifteen minutes.”
We all craned our necks to look at the guard, currently sitting by his post, and taking a swig from a flask. Thanks to the security lights around him, I personally thought he looked like a disco ball.
“One would think it is totally impractical for a guard to wear a golden uniform” Bianca started.
We all turned to look at her. “What would you suggest?” Reese asked.
“Well, something that’s leathery for starters.”
“He’s a guard Bianca, not a sad cheerleading stripper.”
Bianca huffed, Reese clucked his teeth. Ugh! Those two.
“Can we focus on the situation at hand?” Austin whisper-yelled at the two of them.
Bianca couldn’t resist a last elbow-jab at Reese though.
“So, what’s the plan?” I asked Austin.
He cleared his throat, and beamed, clearly enjoying being the chief of the operation. “Once the guard takes his first five minutes break, we make for the door to the narrow hallway beside him. That hallway leads directly beneath the school.”
“And that’s where we’ll find the safe?”
“Yes.”
“What if that basement is haunted?” Bianca whined.
Reese rolled his eyes. “Haunted by?”
“A Zombie.”
Austin groaned. “Bianca darling” he started in a cloyingly sweet tone. “Trust me, zombies only eat brains. And you my dear, are at no risk of them.”
I stifled a giggle while Reese looked offended for some reason.
“Oh, thank God.” Bianca sighed in relief, while I face palmed myself. Seriously?
Reese slapped Austin’s arm. “That was rude.”
“Since when do you care?” Austin retorted.
Reese was silent for a moment. “Anyway, she’s too pretty for any nasty zombie to prey on.”
Well, that was unexpected!
“You think I’m pretty?” Bianca’s voice was suddenly breathy. Magic?
Reese blushed and looked away. I shoulder-bumped him and he smiled shyly. Austin rolled his eyes and turned to look at the guard again.
“Um guys?” He called to us.
“What is it?” I asked.
“The guard is not there.”
“Where is he?” Bianca asked.
“See me giving him a piggyback ride. I don’t know where he is Bianca!” he snapped.
I was suddenly very cold. “Where could he have gone to?”
Suddenly, someone cleared his throat behind us and we turned around slowly…
“Behind you.”
