We all met at Caldwell's house as early as 3am and I would accurately say that was the earliest I've woken to do something so mischievous. Marie did not look different. Black was primarily her colour but she was on heeled boots.
'Heels!' Nate exclaimed.
'We're sneaking into a crime scene, couldn't you have worn sneakers?' Caldwell whispered.
'Hey! You can't talk to me that way! I wear this all the time and I sneak out almost every week.' Marie said. I never thought someone would be so proud of doing that.
'Be quiet Marie. My mom's gonna wake!' Caldwell said. Ludie was here and as usual his eyes wandered. He looked so hot on black. I shook my head to remove such thoughts.
*******
We had to beat the security man to get into the vandalized principal's office but that was going to be hard because the man was wide awake and watching. We tip toed behind some parked cars but soon the security man's torch light was pointed at our direction; at my face. The others scrammed. I was left alone, petrified by fear.
'Come here you.' He said. I walked to him with my head down. I badly wanted to cry because I was in a big trouble.
'Who the hell are you?' He asked. He smelled of alcohol which meant he was drunk.
'I'm... I...' My words were stuck thanks to my fear.
'Are you a special child?' The man asked staggering. Special child?
'Ma...mama.' I said cluelessly pointing to his back.
'You got your mama with ya. Go to her, kid.' He said. I walked to the direction praying he did not realize himself or suddenly become sober.
The tension had reduced and now it was to enter the school but the easiest way in was a window that was quite high from the ground.
'Someone should get in and look for a way we all can enter.' Caldwell whispered.
'Anna's thin enough to enter.' Marie said.
'Slim is...em...a better word.'
'I know what I said princess.' Marie said.
'But she's so tall.' Caldwell said.
'She can get in!' Marie said with finality.
'I can go instead.' Caldwell said. Marie muttered unclear curses. I had to come into this or we'd be stuck there till day breaks.
'Caldwell your upper body is...em...too broad to get through.' I said annoyed by the fact I just complimented Caldwell. Though, it did work as he let me be the one to go in. Caldwell lifted me onto it so suddenly. To give me a boost, his two hands went to my lower waist. I became startled. No boy had ever touched me that way. I looked at him hoping he would realize himself. He was clueless and kept his hand steady, waiting for me to go through.
I braced myself and jumped in.
*********
Everyone was in and now we had to look for clues but what would we find that the police could not? We searched for minutes with no clue what so ever.
'Guys!' Nate called. 'Look what I found!' He was beside the trashcan.
'What are you doing with the trash?' Caldwell asked mockingly.
'Look at these papers.' Nate said. They were sticky notes with bunch of letters.
'Dude, this is useless.' Caldwell said.
'That's what I thought but look at all the other stick notes.' There were other sticky notes on the wall with big letters that made sentences of tasks the principal had.
'Mr. Timothy (principal) writes important things in big letters. He has an eye problem that disables him from seeing small items so—'
'He writes them in big letters so he can...' Caldwell paused.
'...see them even without glasses. This must be really important. How am I going to arrange it?' Caldwell said.
'Done!' I said. The papers said: Call K.L.
'Who the hell is K.L?' Nate asked. It was a good question and we all wondered, who was K.L?
***********
The hours passed and the sun came out but we had no clue who this K.L was. We were still at Nate's house without even thinking about how would explain to his mom why we were actually there.
'This is fucked up!' Marie said loosing her temper. 'Why the hell did you break up with that bitch!' The question obviously was directed to Caldwell.
'Maybe because, I don't know_she's a bitch.' Caldwell said not in the mood for any questions.
'You started dating her, why break up with her?' Marie asked in an angrier tone. Caldwell snapped.
'If you want me to spell it out, I broke up with her for being like you, just less beasty!'
'Oh I'm beasty?' Marie charged but Ludie came between them.
'I have to go.' I said in a low tone.
'I think it's enough this week. Anna you can go.' Caldwell said getting up.
'Oh you don't wanna face the fact you got nothing. We're still busy, why are you leaving?'
'I'm seeing Anna off. It's still early and a little dark. There are people on the streets like you.' Caldwell said putting his arm around my shoulders. I had butterflies in my stomach.
'You actually don't have to.' I said acting like some part of me did not like what was happening.
'I insist.' Caldwell said pathetically. He still had his arm around me. Wow.
'Go with her! Try taking one or two advises and a quarter of her brilliance! Marie shouted as we kept walking.
Caldwell and I walked in uncomfortable silence and he still had his arm around me.
'You know I got that case back there.' Caldwell said.
'What?'
'The arrangements Spoony. You just ruined my moment and became the smart one once again.' I felt tears go down my eyes. I don't know if it was because it was Caldwell scolding me or if it was guilt.
'Are you crying?' he asked. I kept my eyes on the ground. 'Come on.' He smiled and brought out an handkerchief to wipe my eyes.
'I'm...I'm sorry.' I said.
'Come on, pretty girls don't cry.' Caldwell said. Pretty girl? The words echoed in my ears. So many thoughts came to my head and I suddenly became light-headed.
'Woah, Anna!' Caldwell said. Did I just fall into his arms? 'Are you okay? This is weird.' Caldwell said shyly.
'Sorry... I... I just had an hallucination that you...em... said I was pretty.' Caldwell laughed.
'I did say you were pretty. 'Why are you so weird about it?'
'What? You...you did?'
'Yeah. Bye Anna.' said Caldwell still looking puzzled. Pretty?