Code: 16B

Chapter Nineteen

Nineteen 

    After a long day of learning all the basics of how to be a snitch without blowing your cover, I was exhausted. I could barely stay awake as I sat on the park bench. I could feel the wires all over my body, and the mike that’s been taped to my bra.

    I feel violated.

    “Relax.” I heard Abigail’s soothing voice in my earpiece. “You’ll do fine. Just stay calm, and don’t do anything rash.”

    “Easy for you to say.” I muttered sarcastically as I glared at the ubiquitous white van parked across the street.

    “Don’t look at the van. It’s an obvious dead give away.” Cyrus said in a rush, and I quickly look away. “And don’t worry, if anything goes wrong, Garrett and Violet are close by, and in disguise.”

    “Why would they be incognito?” I asked, and I could already feel my face becoming a huge, giant question mark.

    “So Missy won’t recognize them. She’s already seen what they look like, remember?” Cyrus answered this time.

    “I don’t think she’s met them before.” I said.

    “They were also at Westfield, but they come in some days, posing as the trouble makers that are in her classes.” Cyrus said with his business tone.

    “Oh.” I mumbled, already feeling like the world’s biggest idiot. I could see them not far from where I am, and they were obviously pretending to be two ordinary people hanging out at the park.

    Violet had hid her short black hair in an orange wig, and she appeared to be having a good time with Garrett, who’s hiding under a baseball cap, which is on top of a blond wig. Both of them are dressed in casual attire for the late November afternoon, and I couldn’t deny that I was almost swayed by their disguises.

    When a flash of silver caught my attention, I quickly look to see Missy’s silver Honda pulling up to the parking lot.

    “She’s here.” I whispered urgently into the mike.

    “Amanda, calm down, and remember to keep your cool.” Abigail’s voice soothed in my earpiece as Missy climbed out of the car.

    “I will.” I said truthfully when Missy spots me, and waves.

    I waved back and gestured for her to come sit on the picnic table bench with me. She skips over in my general direction, and takes a seat across from me on the bench.

    “What’s up?” I asked.

    “You know, rehearsals, and me being a senior. The usual.” Missy shrugged her shoulders. And when I finally looked up at her, I noticed that something’s not right. Her blue/green eyes looked too worried, and one of them appeared to be covered with liquid foundation. In my time I’ve known her, Missy only uses powder foundation on her pale skin.

    “Cool.” I said nonchalantly.

    “So, are you going to tell me why you asked me here?” Missy said in what can be described as forced lightness. It was almost as if she’s trying really hard to hide something I’m not meant to hear with her weird sense of humor.

    “I just thought we could hang out, and talk about things outside of theatre.” I said with forced nonchalance.

    “Oh, I see.” Missy said almost immediately.

    “You do?” I noticed immediately that my voice sound panicky, and I was involuntarily sneaking quick glances towards the van. I even managed to see Violet and Garrett, both of them still looking inconspicuous, but they were glaring at the bench table I’m sitting. I quickly forced myself to look at Missy, and face the onslaught of what she might say, or will say.