"Wait a minute, run that by me again!" Maddie grasped Aileen's hand, staring at her like she'd discovered the greatest secret of all time. "Are you saying Killian is your childhood friend? Killian-the-vice-president-of-the-student-council? Mr. Million-Dollar-Smile?!"
Nina slammed her hands on the table, looking equally scandalized. "Shut UP! Oh my boy, he looks like he walked out straight of a K-drama. Like he's the perfect guy! How come you're friends?"
Aileen pouted, rolling her eyes at Nina. She tapped her foot impatiently, shaking her head. "Yes, him. Can you two stop yelling before—"
"SHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The librarian pointed at them, her eyes wide with warning. She looked like she wanted to eat them alive. The three of them turned to her, apologizing.
But her glare could potentially melt iron as she gestured at them to get out the door. Like an executioner, she announced in a voice that brook no argument, "Get out."
Maddie froze mid bow. Nina's lips quivered, and Aileen hunkered down, almost hiding under the table.
"Ma'am, we're—" Maddie wanted to explain, her hands raised in surrender.
"OUT. You heard me as clear as day, right?" The librarian's voice echoed like a freight train in the library, effectively garnering everyone's attention. The rest of the students turned to the three ladies and then ducked their heads, thankful that it wasn't them. The librarian was well-known for her bad temper and no-nonsense attitude.
"Okay, okay, we're leaving!" Maddie whispered-shouted and grabbed her bag. Nina and Aileen scrambled to get out as the librarian stormed closer. Maddie dragged the girls like she was a thief running for her life.
The second they stepped out of the library doors, Maddie spun around and pointed at Aileen as if she were accusing her of a crime. "You have to tell us! You can't just tell us about a shocking secret like this and expect us not to overreact. Like Aileen, how are you childhood friends with Killian?"
Nina continued, "Killian is famous in school and outside, too. Not only is he Mr. Million-Dollar-Smile, he's also the PERFECT BOYFRIEND. His girlfriend is the famous Sophia Mitchell. That girl is as gorgeous as the sunset."
Aileen rolled her eyes, brushing imaginary dust off her sweater. "Yes. We're childhood friends, and no, it's not as glamorous as you make it sound. We were close when we were kids, but we grew apart. Mom shipped me off to the province years ago. As for Sophia, I don't know her much. End of story."
Maddie squinted, staring at Aileen and noticing her minute expressions. "Uh-huh. Sure. It sure sounds so easy. Like 'end of story' material." Maddie tilted her head, moving closer to Aileen. "But why do I feel that there's tea to be had here? Like your story is the super short version, but there's totally more."
Nina grabbed the two of them to a nearby bench, pushing Aileen down. Maddie and Nina sat on each side of her.
Nina stared at Aileen suspiciously, stating, "There's something nagging at me. If you two aren't close anymore, why does Killian know about your... um… extracurricular hobbies?"
Aileen groaned, throwing her head back as she grabbed her hair in frustration. "Because he's annoying, is there another reason?" She threw her hands in the air. "He confiscated all my cameras, my entire collection, and, get this, my Book of Handsome Men!"
Maddie's jaw almost dropped to the floor. "Pardon? Run that back. Book of what now?"
"My Book of Handsome Men!"Aileen repeated and acted like it was the most normal thing in the world. "It's a scrapbook I've been curating for years! It has pictures, stats, fun facts—everything. It's my greatest work ever!"
Nina looked at her like she'd just mentioned collecting nail clippings. "You made a Pokedex for hot guys? How many guys are we talking about?"
"There's a lot, okay? I mean, like, hundreds. I've put my life and heart on the line to make them!" Aileen slammed her hand on her legs, looking genuinely offended at Nina's nonchalant tone. "And Killian knows how much it means to me. But he just grabbed them along with my cameras and took them away! I'm mourning the loss of my masterpiece here."
Maddie and Nina exchange a look of disbelief on their faces.
Nina asks, "So, how did Killian know about your inclinations?"
Aileen closed her eyes, sighing. "He's a menace, okay? That smile? Fuck that."
"Okay, okay! We get it!" Maddie raised her hand to stop Aileen's rant. "So, let me get this straight. Killian—the guy with the perfect smile—confiscated all your stuff. And now you want us to help you get back your item? Like we need to steal it from him?"
"Yes!" Aileen answered as her eyes lit up with hope. "You owe this to me after what you guys put me through last night."
Nina's brow furrowed. "May I remind you that you willingly helped us? Like you said you're in it for your benefit? Did you conveniently forget it?"
"You left me!" Aileen explained, pointing an accusatory finger at both of them. "You left me to deal with… with the fallout! You don't have any idea how bad it was! I couldn't sleep because my Book of Handsome Men is gone."
Nina asked curiously in a small voice, leaning closer, "So, is Killain there? In the Book of Handsome Men?"
Aileen fixed her glasses, looking offended. "Of course not! The world will go round before I consider him handsome."
"Uhm, the world is indeed round!" Maddie corrected, looking at her suspiciously.
"NO! The world is flat, okay? Haven't you heard of that theory? Anyway, just shut up and help me. Stop asking questions!" Aileen's shrill voice almost burst Nina and Maddie's eardrums.
"Oh, stop that!" Nina and Maddie scooted away. "Why are you so different from your usual self? It's like the loss of the book changed your personality to this… banshee."
"Are you helping me or not?" Aileen asked again.
Maddie groaned, shrugging her shoulders."Okay, fine. What can I do? But do you have a plan? We're committing an actual heist, Aileen."
Aileen's face lit up as if she had a simple answer. "Easy peasy! Killian keeps everything in his black sports bag. He leaves it in the sports locker room in the afternoon whenever he plays football with the boys. We just have to grab it."
"We?" Nina questioned, shaking her head."No, no, no. There's no we here. This is a disaster waiting to happen, and I'm not going to partake in this."
Aileen clutched Nina's arm, shaking her. "Come on! Please! You gotta help me, guys! I'm going to die if I don't get it back."
Maddie sighed, already feeling the headache forming. "Why can't you just try to ask him to give your stuff back?"
Aileen scowled. "Because he's Killian. He doesn't 'give stuff back.' He's like a black hole of confiscation. Once it's gone, it's goodbye forever."
"Sounds like a personal problem," Nina muttered, crossing her legs and staring at Aileen as if she could see through her.
"Besides," Aileen continued, ignoring Nina's sass, "he's close to my mom. She practically raised him after his parents got busy with their business thing. She would never side with me."
Maddie frowned as she noticed the crack in Aileen's voice. Maybe there was really something more that Aileen wasn't telling them.
Maddie exchanged a look with Nina, who looked like she thought the same. Aileen perked up again after noticing her friend's demeanors.
"Anyway," Aileen said, sweeping the sadness under the rug, "all we have to do is grab the bag, get my stuff, and leave. Easy as pie. Success."
Maddie raised an eyebrow. "Success? You're talking about breaking into a locker room full of sweaty, probably naked men. That's not 'easy as pie' That's, like, 'Mission: Impossible.'"
Aileen grinned. "Not if we have a distraction."
Both Maddie and Nina froze.
"No!" Nina stood up. "Whatever you're about to say, no."
"Oh, come on, Nina." Aileen grabbed her hands, making her sit again. "You're perfect for this! All you have to do is distract the boys for, like, five minutes. Just talk to George or something. You're great at talking to George!"
Nina's face turned red. "I am not great at talking to George! What are you even talking about?! What did you use to see that, huh?"
"Please!" Aileen begged, clutching Nina's hands like her life depended on it. "I swear, I'll owe you forever!"
Maddie held up a hand. "Okay, but what's my role in this disaster?"
Aileen turned to her, grinning with mischief. "You're the main man of the operation. You sneak in, grab the bag, and get out while Nina keeps them distracted."
Maddie snorted. "Oh, great. So I'm the one who gets caught and expelled while you two run away?"
"No one's getting caught!" Aileen corrected. "Besides, I'll help you with your Mrs. Cauco problem! You said you needed to submit your project, right? I'm close with her. I can pull some strings and get her to accept it."
Maddie hesitated. "You're serious? You'll help me fix the whole project thing?"
"Scout's honor." Aileen held up three of her fingers in mock salute.
Maddie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. I'll help. But only if you actually come through with Mrs. Cauco."
Nina looked between them, her face a mix of resignation and dread. "I hate both of you."
"Love you too!" Aileen chirped, grabbing both of their hands. "Alright, team. Let's do this!"