Dead Girl Walking ― Aaron Minyard

10. jet pack blues

and there's a jet black crow droning on and on and on
up above our heads droning on and on and on
hit it never quit it i have been through the wreck
but i can string enough to show my face in the light of day
― fall out boy

♦

WITH NEIL HITCHING A RIDE WITH THEM, Mara was stuck in Kevin's lap enduring Nicky's gleeful jabs about their "secret relationship" and Kevin's unending complaints. 

Luckily, it wasn't a long ride.

But it was sure as hell eventful. 

Andrew sprawled against Neil's side as soon as the car was moving. "After everything we've done for you, you have to start a fight with us. For shame, Neil." 

"You started this fight a month ago," Neil said. "If you want it to stop, leave me alone."

"I like fighting. It's just troublesome when Coach and Abby and the other busybodies start crying foul. Show some consideration." 

"You show some consideration and stay out of my things." 

"How do you know it was us, anyway? Maybe it was Matt. Innocent until proven guilty fails on an Exy court." 

"I haven't heard you deny it yet." 

"You wouldn't believe me anyway." 

"I don't believe anything you say." 

"Believe this, Neil: you can't put a leash on me. Don't think you can, okay? And don't be stupid enough to tell other people you will. It's not safe. You'll make me want to break you." 

"You?" Neil said. "You can't." 

Andrew's smile curved wider. "Ohhh, that sounds like a challenge. Mother may I?" 

"Your mother's dead. I don't think she cares what you do." 

"I know for sure she never did," Andrew said. "Well, she had to take offense to the dying part, but I thought that was rather fun. But you're right." He slapped the heel of his palm against his temple as if something obvious had just occurred to him. "I do as I please. Consider this your official invite, you suicidal wretch. I'm bringing you to Columbia with us this Friday. You have five days to meet the others. Five days of practices and Coach's ridiculous bonding nonsense. Then it's our turn on Friday. You can get to know us off the court." 

"We'll take you to dinner," Nicky said over his shoulder. "We used to live in Columbia, so we know all the best spots. Even better, we've got a free place to crash so we don't have to worry about driving back drunk or exhausted. It'll be a blast." 

"I don't drink or dance," Neil said. 

"Tragic," Mara quipped. 

"That's all right," Andrew said. "Kevin doesn't dance anymore and Mara and I never do. You can drink soda and talk to us while the others make fools of themselves. We can't get through this year with this little misunderstanding between us, so we'll take the night off and fix it." 

"If I go, promise me you'll never touch anything of mine ever again," Neil said. 

"So possessive," Andrew commented. 

"Of course I am," Neil said. "Everything I own fits in one bag." 

Andrew considered that. "Okay. One night with us, and no more break-ins. Friday night will be fun." 

"I find that hard to believe," Mara muttered to Kevin, who grunted in agreement. 

They reached the stadium a full minute ahead of their more law-abiding teammates and waited on the curb for them to arrive. As soon as the upperclassmen parked and got out, Andrew pointed at Neil.