Briar Preparatory Academy

The Art of Stealing

Kate POV

I wait outside the boy's dorms while Seth and Preston change into dark clothes. I glance down at my own outfit, wearing dark denim jeans with black combat boots, and a gray shirt. I wanted to go all black, but Seth insisted that would be suspicious.

He takes things too seriously sometimes.

Five minutes later, Seth and Preston walk down the stairs into the commons room where I am waiting. Seth is wearing dark jeans, dark shoes, a gray shirt similar to mine, and his lucky beanie. I smile when I see it on his head. Preston is wearing blue jeans, dark shoes, and a black shirt. He has a small black backpack slung over his back. "This is stupid." he mutters under his breath. I ignore him.

"Here, you can carry the backpack." Seth says, handing it to me. I sling it over my shoulder and nod. We walk out of the dorm building and towards the administration office.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Preston says questioningly.

"You nervous, Haynesworth?" Seth shoots back.

"No, I just care about my reputation. Unlike you two nitwits." Preston crosses his arms.

"Will the both of you just shut up? There are more important things to do than sitting here and bickering." I interrupt, heaving out a big sigh.

When both of them shut their mouths and I glare at them for a few more seconds, I continue. "Okay, so let's review the plan. Preston will get the key card from his mom and then we will hall it over to Professor Jones' room. I'll hack into the security system so that it is put on a playback of an empty hallway. Meanwhile, Preston and I will break into Jones' room and get into the tech closet. I'll get the equipment I need and we'll be out within three minutes. Seth, you're our lookout. If someone comes, stall. It's what you're good at."

Both boys nod vigorously. "Okay, let's go." We depart from the dorms and make our way across the courtyard towards the office building. We walk in silence until we arrive, where we begin to quiet our footsteps and take glances over our shoulders constantly. Mrs. Haynesworth usually works late in her office. I take one last look at both boys before taking a deep breath. We all are thinking about the risks. If we get caught, we could get in serious trouble...maybe even suspended. But we have to do this. For Celeste.

"Stay here. But stay out of sight. I'll be back in a few minutes." Preston says. I can tell that nerves are getting at him despite his best efforts to conceal them. Seth and I make eye contact, take a deep breath, and nod our consent.

Preston disappears inside the building. Seth and I move to stand in the shadow of the building, out of the line of sight. We wait in nervous silence for what seems like hours. I take notice of Seth shuffling his feet and constantly reaching up, taking his beanie off, running his hand through his hair, and putting it back on. He does it four times. I wrap my coat tighter around my body and close my eyes. Suddenly, Preston bursts out of the building. He looks irritated, as if a child poked him one too many times. He stops in front of me with a frown that rather amuses me. "Had trouble, I'm guessing?"

"My mother is one of the most infuriating people on the planet. She asks too many questions."

"Did you get the card?"

Preston nods and holds up a small, thin silver card in the shape of a rectangle. "You owe me for this."

I smile before quickly remembering the task at hand. "Okay, we have to get over to the professor's room now. Let's go."