Cracks

Chapter 16 Survival of the fittest

Even though she hadn't experienced much high school in her life, she knew exactly what to look for. It was just a matter of keeping your eyes and ears open and then wait for the right moment. People like him didn't care about her hostility. They only cared about doing busines. People like him she understood.

"What's it worth to you?" he asked.

Alisson snorted. "What do you take me for? I know you have a pricelist. You tell me your fee and I'll see if I'm gonna pay it."

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I like your attitude. Tell me what exactly you need and I'll ask my contact."

It was Alisson's turn to chuckle. "You have contacts?" He must think himself some big shot that ruled an entire organization instead of selling reports to high school kids.

"You didn't think I write all those papers myself, did you? I get them from different schools. That's why mine are good. Untraceable. Not reused."

"And that's why they're expensive, I'm sure," Alisson replied dryly.

"Hey," he said casually, "you get what you pay for. So, what can I do for you?"

"Book report," Alisson answered, "1984. C plus worth."

He blinked surprised. "C plus? You don't want a B or up?"

Alisson snorted. "They ain't never gonna believe I can get anything higher than a B minus. I don' wan' 'em to get suspicious. Just wanna maintain my average." There was no point in creating expectations she couldn't live up to. It would only come back to bite her in the ass.

He shrugged. "C plus it is. I'll have one ready for you in three days. That work for you?"

"We haven't talked price," Alisson said. She wasn't going to make a deal without knowing if it was worth the effort.

"Thirty bucks."

Alisson narrowed her eyes. He must think she was an idiot. "Yeah, I don' think so. Fifteen. Thirty is A plus material."

"Hey," he protested, "my contact needs his cut too. There will be nothing left for me for fifteen."

Alisson scoffed. "I doubt that. If you're as good as you say you are, you have a clientelist as thick as that stupid book we gotta read. Your share is high enough."

He gritted his teeth. "Twenty. Take it or leave it."

"Twenty it is," Alisson nodded. She would probably have paid thirty too, she was that much in need of a decent grade, but he didn't need to know that. "Pleasure doin' business with you. Depending on the results, I'll be back."

"I'm sure you will," he smirked.

Alisson watched him leave and turned to get to class only to stumble on Eric a little further down the hall. He looked at her with worry. "What did Lucas want with you?" he asked.

Alisson scoffed. "We were just talking."

Eric sighed. "Tell me you didn't buy an essay from him or anything."

"Don't worry," Alisson said sweetly, "I won't tell you. Why were you waiting for me anyway? I don' need no escort."

He rolled his eyes. "Actually I wasn't waiting for you. This is my locker. But since we both have Math right now, why don't we just walk there together?" He flinched. "I mean..."

It was Alisson's turn to roll her eyes. "Just get movin'." She started down the hallway with Eric closely behind her.

He cleared his throat and Alisson resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Here came the lecture. "I really think you should write your own reports, you know. What will you learn from someone's copy? You'll get this material on finals anyway. How are you gonna handle things then?"