The bustling noise of slamming lockers and chattering students faded into the background for Kari and Lori’s conversation to take the foreground, making Sora wonder if this had something to do with her lowered medication, yet she didn’t move.
Her heart slowed as she focused, hearing Kari throw her weight into a chair with a short huff.
“Lori… What were you planning to do with Jessica and the others?” I knew Kari didn’t know!
Sora cheered inside, and Lori’s stammers were like chocolate on her tongue.
“I, umm, I was just—heh, I was just getting business done… Y-You know—get things through Sora’s thick skull!” Sora couldn’t stop the silent laughter rumbling through her abdomen with Kari’s pause, and she could see the tall, black-haired girl rubbing her temple with mild agitation.
“Taking care of business… without informing me of anything?
And what’s this I heard about a smoothie being dumped on Sora’s head?” “Who told you that?” Lori defensively growled, scooting her desk back as she stood.
“Was it Heather?” “Sit down, Lori.” Kari’s tone put a shiver through Sora’s spine, and she hugged her sides as goosebumps tickled her skin; she’d never heard Kari talk like this to anyone in her little pack.
“Kari, I… Okay, umm, yeah, I dumped a smoothie on Sora’s head—so what?” she mumbled, an edge of fear in her thick throat that made the bully swallow.
“She pissed me off when we were cutting her hair, so…” she trailed off, and a long, pent-up hiss eased out of Kari’s lips, telling Sora she was holding her forehead and staring at the desk to avoid losing her temper.
“Lori… Mmm-hmm.
Did you tell Sora to… ignore what I said?” Sora didn’t want to breathe, her air trapped inside her lungs so she wouldn’t miss the response.
Judging by her earlier statement, Lori blamed Heather for ratting on her, likely not believing Sora would ever confront Kari herself about it.
Throat apparently too sticky with saliva, Lori didn’t respond, causing Kari to repeat herself and deliver it with more force.
“Did you tell Sora to ignore what I said?
That you’d hurt Wendy if she didn’t?” A short cough came in response before the psycho of their school stumbled through her squeak of an answer.
“I… I didn’t say I’d hurt Wendy if she didn’t leave—just… she had to come today.” “That’s not what I asked.” The high-pitched noise Lori made in the silent atmosphere by sucking on her lower lip put a quake through Sora’s bones as Kari tapped her fingernails against the desk.
“I’m sorry…” “Hmm.
Umgh… Lori, you wouldn’t do this on your own.
Who?” Sora was shocked at how panicked Lori’s laugh sounded.
“Kari—heh-he, I messed up—I’m sorry… I just… I was…” “Did Jenny put you up to this?” Kari growled.
“No!
No!
Jenny, umm—no, I haven’t seen Jenny s-since school yesterday…” “Who, Lori?” Kari repeated, and the sharp sound of snapping wood made Sora flinch.
“Kari, I—I didn’t have a choice… Devin—” “Dammit!” Sora jumped as a cacophony of noise hit her ears, causing her shoulder to bump into the brick wall, and Kari’s guttural, deadly roar grew loud enough to be heard outside, drawing anxious glances from a few nearby students.
“How long has my brother’s pet been threatening you?” “I—Kari, I just didn’t know—know what to do…” “Dammit, Lori,” Kari snapped, the sound of desks being shoved aside and a dull explosion inside forced another jump out of her; Sora had never heard her lose control like this.
“You should have come to me!
Tell Jenny to meet me in the city.
The hell I’m going to sit by as Devin sticks his nose into my territory!” Sora hastily retreated to the bathroom as Kari stormed out in a rage, her threatening countenance making everyone leap out of her way as she moved to the side exit, leaving school to confront whoever this Devin person was.
Shaking with adrenaline, a faint smile split Sora’s lips.
What was that crash!?
Did she throw Lori over a desk or into a wall—and when did Kari have a brother?
That reaction, though!
Is that who Mary was talking about?
Is he the one with the real power in the police department who gave Kari my video?
Yeah, if she hates him that much, no wonder she was pissed… It was more about her brother giving it to her than me actually recording her.
Is he some kind of Miami mobster or something—the Cartel?
So… Recalling how all her psychiatrists suddenly changed in attitude, Sora’s thrill dampened.
It explains a lot, and them being from Russia… Does that make them legit Bratva?
If so, I can see why everyone lets Kari do whatever she wants, but… if that’s true… why does he specifically want me to stay?
More questions flooding her mind than ever before, Sora peeked around the bathroom corner as the classroom door opened again.
Lori’s gaze was downcast while stumbling down the hall as if in a daze, gripping her left arm; she was heading right for her.
Entering the bathroom, Sora turned on the sink to make it look like she was just washing her hands; she did a quick check, confirming the area was empty just before classes began.
“Hmm.
Oh, didn’t you want to see me, Lori?” Sora innocently asked, frowning as she saw her face.
“Wow, uh—what’s up—you look like shit.” Brown locks sticking to her wet cheeks, Lori’s expression tightened upon seeing her.
“Sora… Just—leave me alone—get lost, okay?
Don’t breathe a w-word about this or—or I’ll kill you.
Got it?” She seemed so preoccupied with her internal thoughts that she didn’t even mention her restored hair, and the typical edge in her voice was broken as she went into a stall to cry.
Only a momentary flash of pity crossed Sora’s heart before she smirked, huffed, and exited.
She’d probably learn it was her who ratted her out to Kari by the end of the day after confronting Heather, but it was whatever; she’d gotten the result she wanted.
Lingering several more seconds to hear the psychotic bully’s hiccups and sniffles, Sora rolled her eyes, remembering all the times the situation had been reversed.
At last, she had something over her head, and it served her right.
Sora couldn’t help but giggle on her way out, making sure Lori heard her, and she halted at the edge when the girl barked, “Don’t get cocky—S-Sora!
You’ll regret that…” “Hmm-hmm.
Really, Lori?” She turned around to lean against the tiled wall, feeling uncharacteristically feisty after smelling the sociopath’s blood.
“Do you really think you can do anything after working for Devin?
Really, Lori?
Devin!” Not knowing who in the world this person was but figuring what response it would elicit, she laughed silently at the sudden reversal of Lori’s tone.
“How do—what do you know about Devin…” Sora just giggled maliciously.
“Good luck, Lori, and, heh, I’d be careful who you target next!” Letting her stew in her shackled mind, spinning conspiracy theories, no doubt, Sora relished making one of the most hateful people in her life drown in her own paranoia.
Content with the result of her handiwork, Sora casually walked to her nearby class, successfully back on the track of leaving this public hellhole.
Yet, before disappearing today, she wanted to at least have the chance to speak to Wendy, which lunch would allow.
Everything was looking up.
The musical hum in her throat faded when she got a look inside the room, scooting past a small group of her classmates.
Her mind went blank as she followed everyone else’s gaze; Sora wasn’t sure what she should think, and Elizabeth pulled out her phone before thinking better of it and putting it away.
Wood chips littered the shiny tile from a mangled desk, and powder still hung in the air from a hole in the brick wall.
Absurdly, they could even see another student on the opposite side looking through.
Kari… punched through a brick wall?
There’s no way… she’s inhuman…