The Beautiful People - Butterfly Logic

Chapter 5

Tucker arrived at school with no indication of his previous night's experience. His mission was invigorated by the thought of Liam getting what was due to him. He met Elodie with a stoic expression, masking the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Tucker followed his usual routine of hastily walking Elodie to her class the following morning. He refused to miss even a second of his prank, pushing and shoving Elodie like a rag doll. He needed her to speed up, as he had somewhere else to be. His mind buzzed with anticipation, the details of his plan playing out vividly in his imagination. Tucker's determination masked the guilt gnawing at him, drowned out by his desire for revenge.

Elodie didn't understand or like being pushed. She stubbornly tried to slow him down several times by strolling behind him, but Tucker's impatience showed as he yanked and tugged her along. She tolerated his behavior until they reached her classroom door. That's when Tucker, with a halfhearted attempt, bent down and kissed her forehead. Elodie's patience reached its breaking point. She folded her arms across her chest; she demanded that he tell her what was happening. The kiss catalyzed her to confront him about his strange behavior, unable to ignore the unsettling feeling that brewed inside her. "I've got some important plays to review with the coach before the bell rings. I can't afford to miss my opportunity to talk to him," Tucker shrugged.

Elodie snorted in silent protest, clearly unsettled by Tucker's strange behavior. The abrupt kiss at her classroom door only heightened her discomfort and suspicion. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Tucker, and his actions were beginning to alienate her. The once-familiar routine of walking to class together now felt strained and awkward. Elodie's intuition told her that she needed answers, and she was determined to confront Tucker about his behavior and uncover the truth behind his recent actions.

Tucker's absence was oblivious to Elodie's growing displeasure. He swiftly navigated through the school corridors, arriving at The Elites. Tucker greeted a couple of familiar faces with a typical morning pleasantry; his eyes scanned the area discreetly to ensure no one was focused on them. Once he confirmed the clear coast, Tucker subtly signaled Zoe to initiate the prank. He then strategically conversed with Vance to maintain a facade of normalcy. It was crucial to keep up appearances to prevent any suspicion from Liam, their target. Tucker understood the importance of their plan executing seamlessly to ensure its success and avoid potential setbacks.

As Liam started to make his way toward Tucker and Vance, Carisa intercepted him, causing a slight delay in his path. Before Liam could continue, Zoe interrupted, saying, "Excuse me, Liam. I must ask you something in private."

Liam paused, slightly surprised by Zoe's interruption. He followed Zoe to a more secluded area for a private conversation. Tucker watched this unexpected turn of events with anticipation and worry, realizing that Zoe might have improvised or strayed from their carefully planned approach. He waited nervously, hoping Zoe's interaction with Liam would not jeopardize their meticulously orchestrated prank.

As Carisa snapped and crossed her arms in annoyance at Zoe's audacity, Zoe responded with a sneer, "It's private, Carisa." Zoe had no patience for Carisa's inflated ego and swiftly grabbed Liam by the hand to pull him off to the side.

Liam was curious about Zoe's urgency.

Zoe teased, "How's the Carisa thing going?"

Liam sighed as he rolled his eyes.

Meanwhile, Tucker observed the interaction from a distance. While Carisa's distraction could work in their favor, Liam's frustration with her had the chance to complicate the plans. Tucker stayed alert, ready to adjust their strategy to ensure their prank on Liam went smoothly. He needed the puzzle pieces to fit and make it a success. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time and energy.