The Nail That Sticks Out

Chapter Nine: Sneak

Olivia Mei Sasaki

Noah Inoue: I'm outside.

I get off my bed and pull open the window, peering out into the streets. Apparently, Nami's window isn't the most accessible so we had to find another way to get him in. Which happens to be through my window.

Sure enough, a suspicious hooded figure is standing on the sidewalk, hidden by the dark of the night.

I grab the first thing I can find on my desk and drop the highlighter right on his head.

"Ow, fuck!" he hisses, glaring up.

Well, it seems I have pretty good aim.

He picks up the highlighter and proceeds to climb up a tree, grabbing onto a branch to swing himself onto a ledge by the building. He stretches his hand up and out towards me.

I let out an incredulous laugh. "You're kidding right? You know I can barely lift my groceries?"

"Shut up and help me up," he says, shaking his hand impatiently.

I reluctantly lean out the window and grab it with both hands, bracing my feet against the wall to hold myself in place. It takes all the energy in me to pull him up, and he claws his way in with his other arm. My ass meets the ground as he finally gets himself into my room.

"Geez," I pant. "What the hell do you eat?"

"Nami," he winks.

I scrunch my nose and drag myself onto my feet. "Now what?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how are you planning to sneak into Nami's room without getting caught? Her room's on the opposite end of the hall and there are security cameras on every corner."

"Fuck, I hadn't thought that far," he scratches his head.

"Seriously?" I demanded.

"Relax, we'll think of something. Uh..."

He walked over to my closet and flung it open.

"Noah!"

"You think I could pass as a girl if I wore this?" he asked, grabbing my red coat.

"You're like, six foot two," I remarked.

"So? You're not very short for a girl either, you know."

"I'm of average height!" I exclaim, waving my hands in the air.

"Not here, you're not," he shrugs.

I don't deny it.

"Forget it, that's not going to work." I grab the coat from him and put it back in the closet.

Exasperated, he flops onto my bed. He looks deep in thought before he abruptly bounces back up and shoots me a shit-eating grin.

"What?" I ask.

"Olivia-chan, I can always count on you, can't I?"

"Don't call me that," I roll my eyes.

"What if I call Nami in here instead of sneaking into hers?"

I can't help my laugh. "You do know she hates me right?"

"She does not..."  he drags, staring upwards. "And besides, I was actually going to ask if you could give us some alone time in here."

"You're kicking me out of my own room?" I questioned.

"No, no, I mean. Come on, it's a Saturday night. What are you doing all cooped up in your room anyway?" he laughs timidly.