Page 48 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

“Bobby Ridgeway.”

That kid was the most messed up ten year-old I’d ever met, and Memphis followed him around like a puppy.

“That wasn’t my fault.” Memphis argued. “He had the best fruit snacks.”

Okay, I’d give him that.

“But—”

A large pair of hands clapped in front of my face, making me jump back into Memphis.

“God, you two are annoying.” Gio growled.

Did he just call us annoying?

Atlee made a slicing motion with his hand while I looked at Memphis and he looked at me. Then we opened up.

“I don’t believe we were talking to you…”

“That’s right we weren’t…”

“Big man thinks he can do whatever he wants…”

“Pfft, he’s not that big…”

“Aww, does someone have a complex?”

“No, just an arrogance problem.”

Memphis snorted. “What does he have to be arrogant about?”

That was as far as we got before Gio grabbed the collar of my shirt and slammed me back against the locker lined wall. Somewhere past the twang of pain slicing across my shoulder blades, I heard Memphis grumble a string of curses. My immediate worry was for my friend – Atlee messed him up last time – but Gio’s face was in mine before I could look for him.

“Just so you know, I’m keeping a tally of every time you piss me off.”

“Does this tally start now?” It was a legitimate question.

“You’ll find out on Friday.” With that Gio snapped at Atlee, then let me go and walked away.

Letting out the breath I was holding, I slumped down the wall.

I was suddenly very much dreading Friday.

NOVALEE

THURSDAY

The first day back after suspension, wasn’t so bad. Other than a few murderous glances, Gio pretty much left me alone, which I wasn’t sure was necessarily a good thing. Especially since it carried on into the next day.

The last time the youngest Mancini left me alone, Atlee hit on me. Or he attempted to hit on me that is, and that was an experience that I did not want to relive. I still had no idea what that was all about.

At least when Gio’s hands were around my neck, I knew what he was planning. His murderous intent was fairly obvious. That I could deal with, but this quiet, pretending I didn’t exist bullshit was seriously disturbing. I found myself watching him a lot more than I normally did, which was pretty much never.

I may need to work a little more on my situational awareness. But then I’d have to pay attention to people and stuff, and that sounded utterly exhausting. Not to mention, I didn’t give a crap what other people did. Yet I’d been stuck watching Gio strut around school for two days, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like some crazy conspiracy theorist.

By the way, I was pretty sure he found the secret to weight loss. Gio ate a lot of fries. Like every day. Did he have a thing for potatoes? Because that would be useful information if I ever needed to poison him.

It wouldn’t be too hard to slip a dose of something in a pile of potatoes. Mind you, there was a high possibility that I’d end up poisoning myself, so that might not be a good idea.

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