Gucci in Juvie

Chapter 9

'How many secrets can you keep?'

-Do I Wanna Know?, Arctic Monkeys

'I think that this isn't an actual juvenile detention, or prison, or anything like that.'

Hu Li didn't blink. 'So what do you think it is?'

'Some sort of rich children home, I'm not that sure. But all the inmates I've questioned have told me that first of all, their parents have money, and second of all, they were arrested even though they weren't the least bit guilty, so it has to be something like that. What are the chances that all of us have these two things in common, even though we're complete strangers?'

'Okay.'

'O....kay?' I looked at her, confused as she leaned her head against the bars and closed her eyes.

'Aren't you, I don't know, shocked? Surprised? Angry?'

'Hái zi, you've told your dangerous secret. Now, I'll talk.' Hu Li replied, still having her eyes closed.

'Alright.' I looked at her expectantly.

'What I say to you will not pass your lips and will not be communicated in any way or form, understand?'

She looked so serious and solemn that I couldn't resist my reply, said in the cheekiest, most childishly rebellious voice I could muster. 'Or what?' 

I grinned, waiting for her answer.

'Or I'll rip your fingers out one by one and use them as my new pairs of chopsticks.'

I blanched.

'My old pair is getting a little worn down, and your hands look nice and slender.' Hu Li opened her eyes and I saw that she wasn't kidding. 'If I were you, I wouldn't stand next to a knife anytime soon. Hǎo bu hǎo?' 

I nodded vigorously. I didn't understand that last part, but I got the gist of it.

Suddenly, Hu Li reached out between the bars and grabbed my jumpsuit by the front of the collar, pulling me close so that my face squished into metal.

'My schedule says I will be let out about now.' She whispered in my ear. 'I don't think you're supposed to be here, so I'm telling you to run to the activities hall, and I'll meet you there.'

I got up without a word after she let go of me. 'Thanks, by the way.' I smiled down at her. 'For agreeing to tell me what you know.'

'Qíng rén, once I tell you everything, you won't be smiling like that.' Hu Li let out a low, bitter laugh, and waved her hand in dismissal. 'Go.'

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Nathan hadn't finished his interrogations yet, so I passed him by as I ran to the activities hall. Finding a seat inside, I tried to busy myself with drawing so I would look occupied, like I was supposed to be there, when really, I had no idea what my schedule said at that moment.

'Ahem.'

I jumped a little in my chair and breathed out when I saw Hu Li sitting beside me, her arms folded neatly on the table as she looked at me with blank eyes.

'Oh. Hi.' I took slow deep breaths to calm my heart (which was having a spastic attack in my chest). She had been so quiet. I didn't even notice her come in.