Page 56 of Crew
But because we'd still had our dinner last night, I'd heard about the huge party at Manny's. Channing had gotten the repairs done, and Heather had agreed to allow Roussou people back in. Yesterday was their first day back, and somehow it had become the first official party of the year. It moved to a field after Heather eventually kicked everyone out, and it lasted late.
I knew that much because Cross had crawled into my bedroom at five in the morning. I offered him the bed, but he only took a blanket and curled into a fetal position on the floor. He never woke when I got up for school, and I hadn't the heart to bother him. He was still sleeping when I left.
Half the crew people either hadn't come to school today or were hungover. Half couldn't see where they walking. The bags under their eyes were like dumbbells, and a couple guys got jostled, then just went at it in the hallway. If Mr. N. was smart, he'd let 'em all sleep during detention.
Taz, on the other hand, had an extra bounce in her step.
She shook her head. "No." She moved her books to her other side, combing through her hair with her free hand. "Half the girls were there."
"Speaking of the girls--" I started toward my locker, but two got in the way. I braked, an irritated sound slipping out.
They looked up, a smart-ass retort ready, but it died when they saw me. One squeaked and the other put her head down and put on a burst of speed, darting out of my way.
Taz grinned, leaning against her locker as I opened mine. "That never gets old." She adjusted her books in her arms. "And okay. I have to ask you for a favor."
I grabbed my notepad and book, then shut the locker. "I don't do favors."
Her eyes cast to the ceiling. "I know that's not completely true. You'd step in front of a bullet for my brother, so this isn't that big a favor."
"He's crew." Those weren't favors.
I waited for a reaction from her. Sometimes she'd get all pissed at the reminder that Cross was crew or Cross was more special than her. I never knew for certain when it might happen, but she usually got all pissy right about now. If she'd join the crew, she'd have equal footing to him. Well. Not really. Cross was more important than everyone, but Taz would've moved up above Jordan and Zellman. Easily.
Her anger never came.
And that told me I was going to hate whatever this favor was.
"You know on Monday when I told you I hadn't joined the cheerleading squad..." She leaned forward, her eyes widening.
I didn't say anything. I waited.
"Okay." She blinked a few times, shaking her head. "Dramatic pause aside, instead of joining them, I actually got them to join a committee with me. It's the new thing we're doing with Ms. Bagirianni. She's our supervisor."
Nope.
No way.
I knew what she was going to ask. I heard the excitement in her voice, and it wasn't going to sway me.
"I'm not going to be a part of anything The Badger's doing."
"What? Why?"
"It's The Badger. The fact that you're willing to spend time with her alarms me. Greatly."
"Oh, come on. She's not that bad."
I lifted an eyebrow. "You've never been analyzed by her, that you know of."
She opened her mouth, then stopped. "Are you serious? You won't help me because the school counselor is involved?"
I snorted. "Do you not know me? Like, at all? Do you not know your brother?" He and the rest of our crew shared the same sentiment about The Badger.
She looked so frustrated, a pout forming on her face.
I patted her on the arm. "The answer to that is like you asking me if I'm crew. A big fat duh, yes. It's like cosmic karma. It's a rule in the universe. If The Badger is involved, I am not. Plain and simple, unless it's mandatory or court-ordered."
"That's--" Her mouth fell open again. "That's insane! I need your help. Really."
