in the crowd nod emphatically. A few of the males do too.
“I’ll be taking bids today,” I announce, letting them look their fill at all the pairs I have to offer. I set the pretty panties in my hand back down, as well as the granny panties to remind them of what they’ll be doomed to wear if they miss out. “Make sure you offer up something good. These bad boys are gonna go fast,” I say with complete confidence.
“How did you dye the fabric to be different colors?” someone asks, holding up a pair that I managed to dye light pink.
“Stolen kitchen items mostly.”
Instead of looking grossed out, she nods like I just really impressed her. She probably wouldn’t be so impressed looking if she knew that one in her hand was colored from an entire bottle of ketchup, but...trade secrets and all that.
“Is this one decorated with Pop Rocks?” my broken-eyed Medusa squad member asks, staring at the pair in the very middle. It’s my crowning glory.
I smirk. “Yep,” I say, stepping forward. “The Pop Rocks panties are my masterpieces.”
Somebody snorts, but I toss them a glare over my shoulder, shutting them up instantly. Putting my attention back on the panties, I admire the three Pop Rocks pairs that I made. They look downright high fashion.
I’m still in awe over the pretty bow I made on the back of one, and the lavender color I managed to dye the other. But all three have a nice Pop Rocks collection glued on the fronts to make them look like they’re covered in gemstones. Total masterpiece stuff right there. It also took a hell of a lot of willpower to glue those candies on instead of eating them.
Someone else picks up a pair that I made to look like camouflage. It’s very sexy G.I. Joe. “Ah, don’t wear that one if you’ve got a peanut allergy,” I warn. “Oh, and wash at your own risk,” I add. “I can’t guarantee they’ll hold up for multiple wear, but I can guarantee that I’ll have more to buy every Friday. And all sales are final, so don’t try to return any. That’s just nasty.”
I clap my hands. “Let’s start this panty pride parade, yeah? Just think, no more embarrassing granny panties when that sexy guard you’ve had your eye on feels you up in the hallway or that hot asshole inmate talks dirty to you from the vent. Now you can drop your pants for them with confidence,” I say with a nod. “Alright! I’m accepting bids starting...now.”
For a moment, nobody says anything.
I look around, my confident smile superglued on but my morale starting to deflate nervously. Fuck. This is gonna be embarrassing.
But just before I totally slip into mortification mode, it’s like everyone takes a collective breath before they all start shouting at once. Suddenly, the gathered females are shoving, spitting, cursing, hell, even a fist fight breaks out.
I sell all fifteen pairs in five minutes flat, and I come away that much richer. Snacks, dibs on the front of the lunch line, an extra shower rotation, and even some sexual favors that I definitely won’t be cashing in, but it’s still flattering.
Smiling as the last of my customers walk away, I glance at the rest of the females who missed out. “Don’t worry, I’ll have more for sale next week.”
A few of them grumble as they move on, while more start cursing and talking shit about the ones who managed to snag some pairs. One of the female vampires vows that she’s “never talking to that skank Marla again” all because Marla outbid her. I grin. Market day is the best.
“Well done,” Zen says with a smirk.
“Better than the shanks?”
“Much,” she replies before walking away.
“Here you go, Joe,” I say, tossing him a nice piece of quartzite I found. “Thanks for your help.”
He munches on it happily and trails away.
“I thought I told you to behave while I was gone.”
My lips tilt up at the sound of Rook’s voice, but I sweep it away again before turning around to face him.
“Oh. Hey, Rookie,” I say coolly. I’m not gonna let him think I’ve forgotten about the last time we talked. I’m still mad at him for calling me a coward.
He gives me a look. “I’ve been reverted back to Rookie again, huh?” he asks, put out.
“Mm-hmm. It’s deserved.”
He moves to get closer to me, then pauses. In the middle of the rec yard, we don’t have any amount of privacy,