Page 45 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

“Probably.”

“Then, yes.”

I did send my best friend on a hunt for the mythical super popular Marty, so I could respect that.

“Could you wait to tell him until we were out of town?”

That made him stop and eye me. “Where do you want to go?”

Well, there was no time like the present.

“To see my brother.”

“And you need me because you’re still a minor?”

“Correct.”

“Okay.”

My eyes narrowed.

That was too easy.

“Just like that?”

He shrugged. “Why not?”

I didn’t like it, but I didn’t really have another choice. If only Memphis’s birthday was last month. Or, better yet, some asshole named Snake could’ve kept his nose out of my business, then this wouldn’t be a problem. There was a chance that Kato knew nothing. But why would the universe start liking me now? Besides, I didn’t trust snakes. Not since one bit me in the ankle.

“I’m trusting you here.”

“Well darlin,” Atlee tightened his hug around my shoulders. “That’s your first mistake.”

NOVALEE

My morning seemed to drag on, until I got to chem class, that is. The day really picked up then. Not for my teacher—who had to put out a couple of small fires—but I was thoroughly amused.

Now, I was banned from using any potentially dangerous equipment—which could be pretty much anything in the lab. Mr. Falk had no one to blame but himself. I clearly warned him about pairing me up with Darry—who also wasn’t impressed with me. In my defense, I did not expect his phone to explode like that. By the way, explosions were nothing like in the movies.

Before I knew it, there was a loud pop, and pieces of sharp glass and plastic flew around the room. Someone’s bag was torn and a few others got tiny cuts on their faces, which wouldn’t have happened if they were wearing the protective gear they were supposed to. There was a high chance that I may have made a few more enemies. On the upside, that was fewer people I’d have to talk to. So, I was happy with the overall outcome.

If Darry had put a little more money into his phone case, then maybe the class would’ve been spared. That Bunsen burner melted through that shit like butter.

St. Agatha’s principal wasn’t much of a conversationalist. I was given a quick speech about safety hazards, and sent on my way. Thankfully, before the lunch bell rang. I was hungry. Destroying phones was hard work.

When I turned the corner, I saw Memphis and Chuck waiting by my locker. Memphis was the first one to spot me.

“Isn’t your class the other way?”

“I was in the office.”

“Why were you in the office?” He asked.

“Because phone cases are made out of cheap material.”

His brows knit. “What?”

“They melt way too fast.” That was a serious hazard.

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