Chapter Five

Sonny

It is like a huge brick has fallen over my head.

I look at the name on the piece of paper in shock. How is it possible? How could it be this is the first student I am tutoring at Coverton high?

Kelly 'Freaking' Martins.

That is what Mrs. Tiley should have written.

If I am being honest this is Robert's entire fault.

Why?

Because ever since he showed me the faces behind the masks during that forsaken robbery, I can't escape them, Kelly Martins, most of all, she is everywhere. Like 'freaking' everywhere! - Chemistry, physics, calculus, history, literature, now I'm tutoring her. It is so hard to go through class because of her and Murphy Edward's antics in the front row. They throw things, chase each other, chuckle, and have zero regard for a detention slip or a complaining teacher.

I sigh, straightening the edges of the tiny paper.

"Umh Sonny ... is there a problem?"

I have two options here either to whine like a little bitch thenceforth make a big deal out of this or act mature like the professional stand up newbie school member I am and ignore Kelly Martins, sometimes to ignore students like Kelly is to do the opposite.

"Umh no," I say picking up my bag pack. "It's totally fine. I will look for her."

And look for her I do.

One minute she was everywhere- corridors, cafeteria, the lab, and her name on people's mouth. She is one popular girl and also now gone completely AWOL. At some point I think to shout her name on the top of my voice in the hallway, that way I can get everyone's attention and ask them where the f is she?

"Hi..."

I approach Robert who is busy selecting books by his locker. I know he is going to mock me given the turn of events. "Hey Sonny you look like you have just had a twenty-five hour day and it is only seven a.m."

He laughs at me. "What's that?" he says grabbing the piece of paper in my hand.

"Hey." I try to grab it back. Robert goes on and swivels right round with the piece over my head. Lucky for me we are the same height. He is still fast so he wins.

"Dude."

He is looking at me like I am some kind of a psycho stalker. I grab the piece back.

"Who gave you- why are you- why do you have Kelly Martins name written on a piece of paper?"

"Chill out okay?"

I look away, still looking for her in the crowd. "Mrs. Tiley gave it to me. She assigned me to be her tutor. I didn't know that's how things work around here."

I try to act like it is not a big deal that the girl who waved a gun at me last week is now my student. Robert is gobsmacked. He takes his football from the locker. The shit-eating grin on his face is the last thing I want to see right now," So?" I try him. "Do you...er, know where she is?"

He laughs so hard I think he is going to spit his guts out.

"Look dude this is not a game. I need this for my college application."

"You seriously want to do this? I don't have to tell you what you're dealing with?"

"Yes she robs stores and what not but that doesn't mean my life has to stop and besides... isn't that the point of this whole tutoring program thing to at least give her purpose... a direction? Maybe help her find 'the light'."

"Um-yes of course that is exactly what it's about." He laughs again.

"Just tell me where she is Rob. I'm exhausted. I have been looking for her everywhere. I have to set up a schedule and stuff before classes start."

"How the hell should I know? It is Kelly 'Freaking' Martins and it is seven in the morning can you chill out bro? She could be anywhere for all I know. Kelly does whatever the f*ck she wants, however on a completely unrelated note try Korean- it's down the hall take a left three classes to your right."

"She takes Korean?"

"No Sonny, she bakes brownies in that class. Of course what do you think?" I move away muttering how he can be such a pain about everything sometimes... most times.

You can count on one thing for sure Kelly Martins is never alone. From the first time I saw her with the gang in the store to the group of people in her black Fortuner, the girl is never alone. If I did not know better I would say she has got eremaphobia. Okay this is based on the number of times I have seen her and that is a lot. Generally the girl is of mixed ethnicities, lithe inbuilt with attractive features...

I shove away my thoughts to focus on the situation at hand.

There isn't any teacher in sight so I just walk in. It occurs to me halfway across the room what I am about to do. I am about to call out Kelly Martins in the midst of her group and it is seven in the morning. Robert was right. I need to chill out. Running my hand through my hair, I also realize another thing I have been staring at her for a little too long. I do not know why my heart is going fast and my hands are palpitating. What is up with me? I look away.

So what if she is extremely beautiful? She is part of a gang and I am completely against it. I still have to tutor her and get this on my varsity scoreboard; her extracurricular activities are unrelated to me or her academic goals. On second thoughts... why am I the only one pushing for this to work? She is the one in need of good grades. When she needs to improve her grades- she will look for me. I am giving her a week before I go back to Mrs. Tiley.

I get off the wall right next to the Korean classroom door fixing my bag straps. I had been leaning on it to regain composure. I do not know why I am acting this way- like I just survived a cage match.

Kelly

Honestly, I did not think two detectives and Principal Montgomery were going to collect me in the cafeteria during lunch in front of the entire student body.

I have to take it in my stride, embrace the whispers coming from the crowd.

Bun and Dre urge me on.

If Mr. Emmersen was on my case before now he is going to quadruple his efforts.

"Kelly, these detectives have some questions for you." Principal Montgomery starts.

"We are going to have to take you down to the station." One of the detectives commands.

Why is this happening today of all days? My first thought is the car Murphy gave me. I slip in a code 04 at Bun, he will clear all the evidence. I have to say something so I say-"I have got class."

"The sooner we leave the sooner you can get back to them."

*****

A detective Anderson leads me into the interrogation room. I have never been in one before. X and Scotch probably know every inch of this room. I have lost count on how many times they have been arrested. There is a mirror in the room I check myself for a second.

It is not long till I am being questioned about an after-party I never went to and some people I know from school. The questioning swiftly leads to none other than Murphy Edwards. From there my senses switch up.

There are going to find out my connection with him anyway if they don't already know.

"Like I said before I never went to Deja's show or after-party."

There was a shoot out at the said party with the way they keep bringing up Murphy I can tell they are on to him.

"I had some assignments so I took my nephew Nate with me and yes Murphy was there with me the whole time."

With this I am released and probably Murphy will be free from further investigation. Free until the truth comes out.

Detective Nori sees me on my way out of the police station. I could not have moved fast enough, he still manages to stop me. "Ey' Martins?"

"Hey-" that is my tormented whisper. I do not want to but I turn to face him.

He is still brown, bald, and big enough to bully me into doing whatever he thinks I should be doing.

"It has been a while and I see you are still hanging with the wrong crowd."

And you are still wearing your tan jacket, I want to say but I decide to keep it to myself.

"Detective Nori, how are you?" I feign interest.

"Perfect. Where are you off too?"

"It is a school day. I am off to school." Heavily sarcastic - I know... I just want to get out of this awful place. Sadly my irritation is the exact juice he needs to get in my space. "Come on. I'll give you a ride." Wow I just walked straight into that one.

Being driven by Detective Nori is a waste of time... literally. We will probably end up at the diner eating fries or at the post office or the outskirts of the town busting a townie because to him I am just wasting my life anyway, what is three more hours on nothingness. I follow right behind him with my hands firmly in my pockets.