Up to No Goode

Chapter Twelve

"Boys!" Yelled Dr. Steve in his overly joyus tone. "Tonight we're going to be doing a group bonding session. Please be ready promptly at seven."

Group Bonding?

Turns out the group bonding wasn't as bad as I thought.

It was worse.

It was the type of torture outlawed by the Geneva convention. We sang songs, did trust exercises, had a circle-jerk of feelings while Dr. Steve said "Excellent! " with his newly adopted perky attitude and whacked-by-a-hammer grin.

During one of the trust exercises, I was blind-folded as Grant led me through an obstacle course. Let's just say I've had better days.

"Okay..." Said Grant "Lift your left foot - no wait right!- sorry. STOP" He yellwed as I tumbled to the ground.
"Gee Grant," I said through gritted teeth "Maybe some warning next time!" I threw off my blindfold in anger.

something

was

off.

I looked around the room, but there was no Dr.Steve in sight. Just a bunch of blind-folded Blackthorne boys.

"Grant!" I snap "Where's Dr.Steve?"

He looks around the room wildly, his eyes wide open (Which is really bad form but I didn't say anything) "I don't know. I didn't see him leave. He was here in the beginning."

"What are the odds that he just went to the bathroom or something?"

"Not likely" Said Jonas "Seeing as he went before we got here, and the bathrooms are single person over there and one of the eighth graders just went in."

"Crap." I said "We have to get back to the school."

"Then he'd know." Said Jonas "You go. We'll stay here and cover for you in case he comes back."

"Thanks guys." I said

I ran the two miles back to school, not stopping to rest, not stopping to breathe. I just knew I had to get to Cammie as soon as possible. I ran up the steps and saw Dr. Steve retreating into the east wing. I waited twenty seconds and followed behind, being as quiet as possible.

Dr. Steve ascended the stairs and walked down the long corridor... running face to face with Macey McHenry.

What was she doing in the East Wing?

"Oh Ms. McHenry that is an excellent idea! Just Excellent!" Said Dr. Steve joyously. I looked around- where there was one Gallagher Girl there were probably others.

"But Dr. Steve!" Macey McHenry practically yelled. "I was hoping I could talk to you for a few minutes!"

"Not now, Ms. McHenry, I'm afraid I've only got a second to pop into my room before I get back to the boys." Said Dr. Steve.

I flattened myself against the wall, praying I wouldn't be seen. Then, the bookshelf behind Dr. Steve started moving.
"But I only need a minute!" Whined Macey

"Perhaps we can talk tommorow, Ms. McHenry" Said Dr. Steve, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

Then Cammie appeared out of nowhere.

"Hello Dr. Steve" She said, while Macey gave her a is-the-coast-clear look.

"Oh good," Cammie looked at Macey "you found him."

"You ladies have been looking for me?" He said, his attention getting diverted from the place behind him where Bex and Liz were... coming out of my room?

I stared on in surprise. Oh these girls were good.

"So this is some sort of emergency?" Dr. Steve nodded, and Cammie pressed on

"So," she said dramatically "I guess you know I have a broken heart"

I froze, my feet planted firmly on the floor. I wanted to be anywhere but there.

"Well, broken hearts are very common at your age, Ms. Morgan. Nothing to worry about there, I'm sure." He moved towards the door and Cammie raised her hand as if to knock him out, but Macey grabbed it.

"Thats what I told her, Dr. Steve." She said, stepping away from the doorframe. "Thank you."

Macey grabbed Cammie's shoulders and spun her towards the smiling Liz and Bex, and I knew we'd been bugged.

I sighed, thinking of how long the rest of the night was going to be.