Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[47] FOUND YOUR RUSSIANS

Dustin continues to look through the binoculars, pausing on a particular man. "Target acquired."

"Where?" Steve asks. "Ten o'clock. Sam Goody's." He informs. "Why do you guys even need those? I can see him just fine from here." Nori rolls her eyes. "Give me that." Steve pulls away the binoculars, looking through them himself.

"Shit. Duffel bag." He realizes. "Evil Russian." Both Steve and Dustin day at the same time. "You guys do realize that there's a Jazzercise class going on upstairs? He looks a lot like the guy on the flyers." Nori comments.

"That's ridiculous." Dustin laughs. "Yeah, Ellie. Can't even believe your my sister, so ignorant." Steve agrees. She sighs, rolling her eyes.

They stand up, beginning to follow the man up the escalator, staying at a far enough distance so they would go unnoticed. "Slow down." Dustin says as Steve begins to walk faster.

"We're losin' him." Steve responds. "You're getting too close." Dustin adds, before Steve runs into someone. "Watch it, dickwad!" They yell, grabbing the attention of the supposed 'evil Russian', who slowly turns around.

Dustin pulls Nori to the side, then takes the payphone. "Hello. Yes. I am fine. How are you?" Dustin begins to say in a monotone voice, before stopping and following once more when the man leaves.

They peer over the corner, and as Nori expected, he walks straight into the jazzercise studio.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" He yells, unzipping his bag. "I just have one question for you." He takes off his sunglasses, pulling out a large boombox. "Who is ready to sweat?"

All the women cheer, clapping. Nori can't help but laugh. "Okay! Let's start it nice and easy now." He takes off his black sweater.

"Yeah, ladies, warm it up." They begin to move their hips, the boys seemingly fascinated. "Oh, stop it. You two are gross. What did I tell you?" Nori smirks. "Come on, let's go back." She begins to pull Dustin away, though Steve stayed. "Steve, come on." She yells. He doesn't listen. "Steve!"

He turns around, quickly following the two.

"Yo, Robin, you're not gonna believe who Dustin and Ellie thought was a Russian." Steve says as they return to Scoops. "Asshole, you and Dustin were the only two who thought that." Nori nudges him.

"No I did not." Steve denies. "Yes you did!" Dustin chimes in, watching as Robin pushes past the two in a hurry. They watch her spin around.

"Robin." Steve calls, stepping up beside her. "What are you doing?" He asks as she looks down at him.

"I cracked it." She smiles. "Cracked what?" Steve furrows his eyebrows. She jumps down from the bench she was standing on.

"I cracked the code."

***

Later that night, in the pouring rain, Robin, Dustin, Steve, and Nori all sat on the roof, looking down at the guarded door just below them. Nori, who had forgotten her raincoat at Mike's house the last time she went, had to wear Steve's old rain coat.

"Look for Imperial Panada and Kaufman Shoes." Robin instructs. "They're with that whistling guy, ten o'clock." Dustin tells.

"What do you think's in there?" Steve asks. "Guns, bombs?" Dustin suggests. "Chemical weapons." Robin adds. "Maybe we're overthinking this and it's just Chinese food and shoes." Nori argues.

"Whatever it is, they're armed to the teeth." Dustin says, before the thunder claps and lightning flashes. "Great. That's great." Steve comments.

"Hey, what's in there?" Robin inquires as they watch the men open another door. "It's just more boxes." Dustin states.

"Let me check it out." Steve reaches for the binoculars, but Dustin refuses to hand them over. "No, I'm still looking."

"Let me see it." Steve pulls again. "Hang on!" With a bang and lightning, they all duck down, not wanting to be seen by the guards.

Nori turns to Dustin, sending him a worried look. "Okay, we have to go." Steve says, checking if it was clear, then leading everyone  back inside.

"Well, I think we found your Russians." Robin says. "Yeah, no shit." Nori nods, pulling a strand of her soaked hair behind her ear. "I think I'm gonna call Mike when we get home." Nori adds.

"No, you are not calling Mike." Dustin refuses. "Why not? He's probably worried and—"

"Let him be worried. You need to get over it."

"Yeah, I agree with Dustin." Steve nods.

authors note

Sorry for the short chapter!!