The Class Agreement

16

I walked through shattered glass and random assortments of tree branches.

If I had never ventured through vacant suspicious places that could pass for being haunted before, all of this would've bothered the hell out of me.

I heard the quiet talking growing louder as I got closer.

"Pots are growing. Which means we all have to be more careful about who attends during betting grounds," Gunnar was saying. "People who don't pay up will pay one way or another."

I walked around a chipped and moldy pillar and took my hood off my head. Everyone watched me appear from the darkness. Some were confused, some already knew who I was.

I stood beside Gunnar. It was dead silent among all of us.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Sounded a little off."

"Gallagher's on your ass," I said loud and clear. "That's what's wrong."

He shook his head and sighed. No one else really said anything.

"How?"

"Brought me in and made small talk then started questioning me about all of this. You're a leading suspect. He even mentioned Barton and I. I won't be surprised if they have everyone who ever fought down."

"God fucking dammit," He growled. "Gallagher is gonna ruin my fucking money."

"I don't know who's been opening their mouth, but I've heard a lot of kids come back talking from these fights. This secret shit isn't secret anymore."

I looked at the newcomers. None of them I really recognize. They have to be freshman or something.

I could tell Gunnar wanted to flip, but he couldn't. Not with all these people looking at him and watching his every move. He knows how bad this can get if he gets caught.

"He didn't tell you his plans?" He asked me.

I shook my head, "He dismissed me when he realized he wasn't getting anything out of me. I used me leaving for a year as an alibi. Although, I have no idea if he bought it."

"Good, good. At least you have one. Better than walking out of there without one."

"So does this mean the Circle is ... done?" Someone asked.

Gunnar scratched his chin, "I don't know what this means for the Circle. Obviously I don't want any of you to get in trouble."

I got a very unsettling feeling in my gut. I quickly tucked my hair in my hood and put it back on. I know it's been a long time since I've been among the Circle, but this feeling is surrounding the air I'm currently breathing.

I wasn't the only one that felt it either. Gunnar started fidgeting and looking around. I know the reality of the situation was hitting him with every passing minute. Disband the Circle or keep it running with an even bigger risk of getting caught.

"You all need to tell whoever it is in that goddamn forsaken school to shut the hell up," He said. "Can't do shit if people keep talking."

"Laying low is our best option," Someone said.

Gunnar didn't say anything. His fists were balled up.

He scowled to himself, "So much for the goddamn betting grounds."

"He said he had evidence lining up, but I'm not sure what evidence he could possibly have," I mentioned.

Gunnar looked at me. He then pulled me aside, a few feet away from his little group.