Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mason, Kelley and Lee sat in Kelley’s car looking out over the harbour down by the docks. The smell of fish permeated the air and the three teens all had serious looks on their faces as they spoke in low voices. None of them had forgotten the unspoken vow of revenge they'd taken. The Elites needed to be knocked down from their pedestals.
Kelley had taken the reins of leadership between the three and neither Mason nor Lee seemed to mind. It was a natural choice and it had just happened that way. “When we strike, it needs to be quick, quiet and with no comebacks.”
Mason scratched his chin thoughtfully. “We need to keep it close to home as well. The three of us.”
Lee nodded his agreement. “The more people know the bigger the chance that it gets out.”
“We take our time. Our plan needs to be foolproof.”
Kelley grinned. “I’ve got that covered. I know their routines, their houses, how to get in and out again.”
“Who’s first on our list?”
“How much can we trust Arlo?” Lee and Mason both looked at Kelley in surprise.
“Why? We just said …”
“We’ll need an alibi if anyone comes asking.”
“I don’t think we should involve one of our teammates, even for an alibi. They won’t be as trustworthy,” Lee said.
“I’m not asking my mom.” Mason shook his head as he spoke. None of them wanted to involve Carey.
“Jesse will vouch for us.” Kelley was sure of that fact. Jesse would help them.
“Will he?” Lee looked sceptical.
“He will,” Mason confirmed.
“Only if we need it.”
“Okay, fine, now I think we should go after that asshole with the baseball bat first.”
Kelley gritted his teeth. “Hanson Chadney.”
They climbed out of the Escalade and headed into the large warehouse on the waterfront. Kelley had gotten a job with the foreman of the warehouse, labelling boxes, since his wrist didn’t allow for much activity.
Kelley was determined not to let Carey worry over money for utilities and food since Marella was also living with them. She was still recovering and the bruises would take almost two weeks to fade completely.
They worked eight-hour shifts over weekends and during the week they reported for duty at three am and left again at six thirty. It took Kelley only a week to adjust to his new schedule and it allowed them to plan and scheme in the evenings.
The three boys became even closer, shared everything and spent all of their free time together. Over weekends Lee had taken to sleeping on the floor next to Marella’s bed and nothing Carey threatened him with could make him leave.
Kelley had drawn a map of Hanson’s house and the perimeter. He marked out the pool house where Hanson lived as well as entry points to gain access without using the front gate. The plan wasn’t to retaliate immediately because that would be just too obvious.
It was Friday and Mason parked his truck in their usual spot. Lee pulled in right behind them with Marella driving with him. She had enrolled in Public High and it was her first day of school. Her schedule had each of them in all of her classes.
“I’m nervous,” Marella said to Lee.
“Why?”
“Public and Private hates each other, what if everybody here hates me?” Marella looked down briefly and Lee’s hand squeezed her knee.
“Nobody’s going to hate you, we’ve got your back.”
Lee and Marella got out of his car and Lee placed his arm around her shoulders. It proved to focus all the attention on Marella since Lee barely spoke, rarely smiled and had never dated before. This new girl who had snagged him landed on everyone’s radar immediately.
Kelley stood next to Mason’s truck and stared off into the distance. Mason followed his gaze and started chuckling. “Don’t even go there.”
“Go where? I’m just looking.” The girl had long, wavy dark brown hair. Her skin-tight jeans left nothing to Kelley’s imagination and her smile had him smiling as well. She walked alone, smiling as she listened to something on her phone.
“Yeah … right. She doesn’t date, she doesn’t mingle and she’s oddly scary but doesn’t care. Trust me when I tell you that many guys have tried and all of them have failed.”
Kelley glanced at Mason. “Like you?”
“Nah, she’s not my type, I prefer them a little less bitchy.”
Kelley smiled at Mason’s words and the girl stopped walking and stood looking at Kelley. She looked annoyed and Kelley stared at her. Her eyes raked up and down his body, before she continued walking away.
“Who is she?”
“Juliana Garcia.”
Lee and Marella joined them and they headed inside to their lockers. People whispered about Marella just like they had with Kelley but Lee’s glares quickly quieted them down. She looked nervous, looking around like a deer caught in headlights.
From then on Kelley saw Juliana everywhere. He noticed that they had all their classes together and after their third period, she waited for him in the hallway. He stopped short when she pushed herself off the wall and walked towards him.
“Hi.” Kelley gave her a smile which she didn’t return.
“Stop staring at me.” Her eyes glared at him and her voice held a tinge of annoyance. It only made Kelley want to get to know her more.
“I’m Kelley.”
“I don’t care what your name is, you look like a desperate stalker looking for attention.” Kelley noticed that her eyes had flecks of gold in the deep brown and for a moment he was lost in them, staring unashamedly at her.
“Mason wasn’t lying.” Kelley shifted his backpack over his shoulder.
Juliana sighed audibly and turned to walk down the hall towards their next class. Kelley fell into step next to her and she glared at him. “What are you doing?”
“Walking to class.” Kelley liked her fiery attitude, the strength in her glare. He wasn't used to it and he found that he really liked it.
“Listen … I know all about you. I’m not interested.”
“Interested in what? I’m just walking to class, you shouldn’t assume anything. It’s not like you’re my type anyway.”
Juliana stopped walking and gaped at Kelley. He smiled and kept walking, leaving her in the hallway with nothing to say. Kelley kept at it, convinced he was breaking through her defences. Every morning he’d greet her to which she ignored him. He walked behind her to their next class and smiled at her every time she glared at him.
