The Beautiful People - Butterfly Logic

Chapter 7

The following morning, Tucker dragged himself out of his car, feeling the weight of exhaustion and frustration from a long night dealing with his mother's intoxicated rage. The hours spent enduring her lectures had left him drained and in desperate need of sleep. He barely had the energy to face the day at school.

As Tucker arrived, Zoe injected energy into the otherwise dreary morning. She bounded out of her car, bubbling with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. Today was the day their prank would finally come to light, and Zoe couldn't contain her enthusiasm. With eager steps, she practically skipped across the parking lot toward Tucker.

"Hey," Tucker greeted, his voice heavy with fatigue.

"Woah, what happened to you?" Zoe asked, immediately noticing his somber mood, which dampened her excitement.

Tucker brushed off the question with a nonchalant shrug, not in the mood to delve into the previous night's events. The weight of his mother's issues hung heavily on his shoulders, making it difficult to engage in Zoe's lively enthusiasm. Not wanting to waste another minute, Tucker, despite his exhaustion, swiftly divided the stack of pictures in half and handed one portion to Zoe. He instructed her to start at the campus's opposite end and work quickly until they met in the middle. Stressing the importance of remaining unnoticed by faculty members, Tucker emphasized that stealth was vital to the success of their plan.

With a deep breath to muster some energy, they dashed off like a pair of Tasmanian devils, weaving through the halls and strategically placing pictures at every turn. Despite his fatigue, Tucker's determination fueled his movements. It ensured they covered every available surface, turning the entire school into a festive, gift-wrapped surprise for Liam. To their amazement, the task was completed from start to finish in just an hour and a half. This left them ample time to execute a clean getaway before anyone noticed their handiwork.

After finishing their mission, Tucker felt the weight of exhaustion settle heavily upon him. His muscles ached with every step, and he struggled to keep up with Zoe's brisk pace. The adrenaline that had propelled him earlier was now waning, replaced by a deep weariness that seemed to seep into his bones.

As they returned to their starting point, Tucker's movements became slower and more deliberate. He focused on each step, trying to conserve his remaining energy. Despite the fatigue, a sense of accomplishment filled him as he glanced at the decorated halls, knowing they had successfully pulled off the prank.

Once they were clear of the interior building, Tucker let out a sigh of relief. "That was intense," he admitted to Zoe, his voice tinged with exhaustion. He felt the weight of sleeplessness and physical exertion settling on his shoulders. "Now, meet me at the diner across the street. We'll have breakfast to pass some time before everyone else makes it to school. Just be careful not to get caught by anyone. The staff here knows The Elite doesn't arrive for another thirty minutes, so you'd look suspicious," Tucker explained, trying to sound alert despite his fatigue.

"Okay," Zoe replied, her laughter still bubbling up from the excitement of their prank.

Tucker staggered towards his car, his movements sluggish from the desperate need for rest. The thought of skipping school crossed his mind, but anticipating the prank's finale kept him going. The lack of sleep, an empty stomach, and the physical exertion of setting up the prank had taken its toll. Collapsing into his car seat, he felt like a sack of potatoes. He knew he needed his bed but was determined not to let exhaustion ruin his plans. Fueled by the promise of caffeine and sugar, he resolved to push through.

As Tucker drove towards the diner, fatigue pressed against his eyelids. He hoped the promise of breakfast and the upcoming prank would provide the adrenaline he needed to stay awake and alert. The anticipation of the prank's finale and exhaustion created a tense atmosphere in the car.