Page 112 of A Dead Man's B-Side
Her eyes widened when the conversation drifted away from her practiced script. “I don’t know–”
August gasped with a snap of his fingers, “That’s right! You’re that girl that writes plays at the old theatre.”
She seemed to pause, everyone did, but the glint in her eyes was there. She wasn’t afraid of what he knew, in fact she seemed to revel in it. “Uhm, yeah,” she spoke hesitantly at first, before clearing her throat. “Yeah, that’s me.”
She stood awkwardly in front of us like her very own one-woman act, but it didn’t feel like an achievement. More like a student being forced to come up to the front of the class and present a presentation they hadn’t prepared for.
“Well.” Rain broke the silence with that same higher-than-thou authoritative tone, “That’s certainly an accomplishment. However, we do have important matters to discuss, I’m sure you understand.”
It wasn’t as rude as it was blunt, but Lily looked exhausted, her job clearly stretching her thin, and seeing the glint in her eyes dim at Rain’s words was uncomfortable to watch.
She straightened, nodding stiffly. “Right. I’ll return when your orders are ready.”
As quickly as she arrived, she disappeared.
“Well. Thank you, August, for that heartwarming, and yet unnecessary, display.”
Without missing a beat, August replied, “It’s no worries. I’m sure your heart will warm and understand the feeling one of these days.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she knew him, and it was best not to engage when he baited anyone into a verbal spar. Not that she would lose, he just prioritizes patronizing over winning.
“Scott Kensington will have his reputation tarnished, his grades low, his extracurriculars stripped, and only then will we strike.”
Wolf turned to me. “You wanted to distress him?”
I nodded, immersing myself in the conversation, “We can start by searching his dorm. And if there’s nothing, we start breaking his perfect cycle. Leave his window unable to open, restrict his hot water, turn off his heater, take assignments or textbooks. No student can show up to class prepared to learn in those conditions. Tire him out and drain him dry.”
It didn’t take long to form a perfect plan, the benefits of planning with hand-picked students of the Founder’s Society.
And then, the conversation drifted to something just as interesting.
“Sasha?”
I blinked. “Hmm?”
Wolf exhaled the smoke from his cigarette, and his speech came out slightly muffled, “What extracurriculars are you thinking of joining? You’re the only one who isn’t committed to any clubs or societies.”
“Oh.” I straightened at the conversation piquing my interest. “What extracurriculars are you all tied down to?”
Ajax puffed out his chest instantly. “The Football team and The Fenlon Society.”
Paris scrunched her face and sent him a weird look. “How accomplishing.” She turned to me, and it took a moment to realize that Paris was a mean drunk. Though she was barely tipsy, I could see it lurking underneath like an old friend, an alter ego wishing to be let out. “I am in the Honours Society and the 13th Society.”
Around the table, they all spoke, each one more surpassing than the last, except for Rain, of course. “Abbot Society, that makes me the student body president.”
August raised his hand. “Honours Society and the Horseback riding club–you know, studies show it’s a very safe and healthy sport.”
Ajax scoffed, clearly insulted. “That’s not a sport.”
The former sneered, poison suddenly spitting out from between his lips. “Right. Because getting diagnosed with a brain malfunction at thirty-two should be what defines a sport.”
Ajax only sent him a look, albeit childish, as Wolf spoke when I turned to him, “I’m part of the Skeet and Trap Club. You should join, actually, it’s quite peaceful and isn’t as team oriented.”
I went to roll my eyes, but instead locked eyes with Marigold. When I had, she spoke to life, her words coming out with a bang—loud—before she paused and regulated her volume. “I’m–… I’m in the Fine Arts Society.”
I nodded, already knowing what extracurriculars I wanted to join. “Well, I was thinking of joining The Queen’s Club.”
The table fell silent, and I could almost hear the conversations of the diners on the other side of the wall.
