No Honor Among Thieves

Chapter 9 - "Damn, I can't think of anything else."

I head over to the library to find Ryan seating on his own in a corner, who seems to be reading the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

We both speak in a soft and quiet tone.

"Hey, Ryan. What's up?"

He lowers his book. "Good, good. How's your thing going? Need any help?"

That's what I came here for, right? "Yes, actually, that'd be great."

"Cool. How can I help?"

"Can you tell me everything you know about Jane?"

"Jane." He pauses and thinks, like Google needing a few seconds to gather results. "Well, besides what we all already know, I know that her family's having financial problems. She said it herself that she might not be able to enroll next term."

The librarian stands from her seat and begins to head our direction in an urgent manner.

Ryan, being quick on his feet, changes the subject like a pro. "Okay? And it also said that the Miranda Rights must be read to the suspect apprehended because otherwise, the court would lose the fight."

When the librarian returns to her chair after retrieving a book from the shelf behind us, we take a sigh of relief at the close encounter.

Ryan chuckles. "Almost lost my heart on that one. Okay... where were we?"

"Jane's having financial problems."

Ryan snaps a finger, pretty much echoing across the whole library. "That, and she also has a boyfriend, which is common among 11th graders. What else...?"

He goes silent in recalling more about her, and after a while... "Damn, I can't think of anything else."

Jason gives him a pat on the back. "Don't worry. You've helped enough. Don't tell anybody I asked you about Jane, alright?"

He nods and smiles. "Yeah, sure. No worries."

Jason stands and shakes Ryan's hand, "Thanks again," before leaving him to his book.

As he exits the library, he sees Rodrick and Elle descending the stairs. "Elle! Rodrick!"

The two stops to turn around and Elle greets. "Hey! What's up?"

Jason approaches the two. "Still alive. How about you two?"

"Alive as well," Elle's chuckling answer.

Rodrick nods expressionless. "Still good."

The three continues their discussion as they climb down the stairs and walk along the corridors.