The Secret Life of Mitchie

Chapter 9

With Frankie's help, the next couple of weeks went by smoothly without any more incidents. Though, there had been a close call on laundry day when Andrew was checking the room for any dirty clothes.

I had a bundle of clothes on my bed from the previous day. Inside that bundle was a pair of my girly undies. Luckily, I snatched the clothes from him before he could discover them. Afterwards, Frankie gave me a stern lecture about being more careful in a room full of guys.

Other than that, life was normal.

Well, as normal as it can get under the circumstances. Soccer practice was difficult, but I'd managed to ask my dad for some shopping money one weekend to buy my cleats and shin guards.

I had made it a habit to shower in the dorm room (With the door locked, of course). Things seemed to be going great. I had made new friends and was enjoying classes.

Mandy had contacted me over the weekend to tell me that she was almost positive that Rachel was the one behind the firecracker incident.

I never got a chance to ask her more about it because I was staying in the dorms, and they guys had come in.

Then today, when I woke up, I knocked my phone off of my bunk when the alarm went off.

Frankie, as usual, kept snoring through all the noise.

Andrew got up from his bed and picked up my phone. "Ah man, Mitch. The screen is cracked." He said, frowning as he handed it up to me.

"Thanks" I said as I took it from him.

I looked at the screen, fearing the worst. It has a huge crack down the middle, with a few smaller cracks radiating off. On the bright side, it was still usable. But, it gave me a bad feeling. Call me superstitious.

It was after Study Hall when it happened.

"Hey, Daniels, hold up a sec." A voice called out as I was walking out of class.

I turned to see a tall guy with flaming red hair. I had the strangest feeling that I had seen him somewhere. Then it hit me, he was the guy from bus my first day here. The one who had known Pierce.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked, slowing down to wait for him. As he caught up to me, he slung an arm over my shoulder and started steering us towards the courtyard.

"I just wanted to check and see how things were going for you. Pierce was a good friend of mine, I want to look out for his little brother." He said, smiling down at me. Something was off. I knew it from the look on his face.

"Look, I--"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone." He stopped, dropping his voice low so no one could hear.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said stubbornly, but I could feel my heart racing in my chest.

How on Earth had he possibly found out? I had been so careful. Frankie wouldn't have told anyone....would he?

"I remembered Pierce talking about his sister before, but he'd never mentioned having another brother. I thought it was odd after meeting you on the bus, so I messaged him to verify." The redhead said, having the decency to look sheepish.

I felt the briefest sense of relief. At least I knew Frankie hadn't let it slip to anyone. Then I realized that means Pierce might know that I'm here.

"You talked to Pierce? Did you tell him that I'm here?" I asked, lowering my voice as a group of guys walked past.

Redhead shook his head and put his hands up. "Nah, I just asked him about his younger sister and if he had any other siblings. I didn't say anything else. I promise."