The STD Trace

18. P is for Partner, I is for In, C is for Crime

“Um… do I have to be involved?”

“Be my P.I.C!” I grabbed her hands.

Her eyes grew wide. “Yo what?”

“My P.I.C.”

“Come again?”

“Partner in crime!”

“Eh, I ain’t going to jail for nobody!” She shook her head at me.

I frowned. “We are in high school, what could I possibly get us into that we could get locked up for? Look, all we have to do is go undercover and just listen in on her conversations. At some point, she’s going to spill her secrets and we will be right there to hear them.”

“Basically we are becoming her personal stalker?” A corner of her mouth lifted up into an unsure smile.

“No, more like spies, not stalkers.”

“Are we following her around?”

“Yes, but—”

“Are we listening in on her conversations?”

“Yes, bu—”

“Then we are stalking and can be put to jail. I’m not in on this, sorry.”

“Oh come on! What is she going to do, call the cops on us for following her at school? Plus, we aren’t going to get caught.”

“Hannah, you know yo ass is not sneaky, right?”

“But you are.” I winked.

“It’s cause I’m black. How else do you think I get past my crazy ass momma?” She laughed.

“Well use those skills to help me figure out my next STD victim.”

“I’m not too sure about this, I think you are kind of cray for this one.”

“Will you be my P.I.C. or what?” I crossed my arms.

“I thought that after you had sex you’d calm down, but you’re only getting worse.” My nostrils flared. “Fine, but what do I get out of this?”

I gaped. “Some kind of friend you are, asking for things in return. You’re my partner in crime—your reward is getting to go along with my crazy plans.”

“Sounds like you are setting me up to be killed,” she muttered.

“I’d do it for you!”

“Yeah, because you’re crazy. Fine, I’ll do it, but shit, we get caught and you’re dead.”

“Fair enough.” I hugged her, squealing a bit.

~.~

“This is HT Trizzle, reporting in, I repeat, HT Trizzle reporting in,” I muttered through my cell phone.

“Hannah, this is super ass lame, I’m not saying that,” Omunique groaned.

“Say it or I’ll tell everyone what you sleep in,” I threatened.

She sighed. “This is O O Unique, reporting in, I repeat, O O Unique, reporting in.”

“See, doesn’t that make you seem all cool and official like?” I gushed. There was silence on the other end. God, she was no fun at all. “Operation C Devil is turning the corner—keep your ears open, private.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Omunique grumbled.

“… They are so lame for trying to act like people actually care about them getting together and making a riot. Like what do they think this is, some protest?” Christina laughed and Alexandra and Jamie joined in.

I rolled my eyes. That’s what rioters do—they get together and make protests. Stupid idiots.

“Anyways, I’m this close to ruining all of their lives.” Christina brushed her hair out of her face.

From my spot behind the plant, I could see Alexandra and Jamie nod in agreement. I think they always agreed on everything she said. Must be a clique thing or whatever.

“You should start now.” Alexandra applied lip gloss. Jamie elbowed her in warning.

“You’re right, but I’m just too lazy.” Christina shrugged and Jamie relaxed. This was so boring.

“So, Ashton was with Hannah this week I heard,” Alexandra gossiped. How the hell did she know that already?

“She’s with everyone, the slut. Don’t worry—I have a plan for her.” Christina smiled.

“Why do we hate her again?” Jamie cocked her head to the side.

Good question, Jamie, I’d like to know too! Alexandra and Christina turned to stare at her and Jamie blushed.

“Anyways, this weekend, don’t forget we are going to the skate park, the one on Sublette. I so want to meet the infamous Quinton Ramsel from Bowie.”

“That hot rocker dude? Doesn’t he have a thing for Violet?” Alexandra wrinkled her nose.

“Violet dates Bryson, Alex.” Jamie rolled her eyes.

Christina sighed. “He likes buttface Melissandra, but not for long. He shall soon be mine.” She grinned.

“What are we wearing?” Jamie asked.

“Just look cute, okay? Let’s get to class.” Christina put her lip gloss away and then headed down the hall with her other dweebs following behind her.

I sighed and stepped out from behind the plant, watching as Omunique did the same from the right side. “See, this Quinton guy could be it, plus, he doesn’t go to our school. Can you say bonus?”

“I think this is stupid but, you’re right, it could be him and then your tracing would be over. How great would it be to find out Christina was the nasty slut who started the outbreak?” Omunique laughed.

“I know, consider HT Trizzle and O O Unique on the job.” I giggled.

Omunique slapped me on the back of the head and I doubled over with laughter.