FenceStriking Distance - Sarah Rees Brennan Page 0,48

What sort of lesson does a smelly room teach?”

“It would be very funny.…”

“Step up your game, Eugene,” Seiji advised severely.

“So…,” said Eugene. “If we hid chickens in their room, and the chickens laid many eggs, but there were also… chickens…”

Seiji only shook his head.

“I see what Katayama’s saying,” Chad observed wisely. “He’s like, where’s the justice, bro?”

“That’s exactly right, Chad,” Seiji confirmed. “It’s about justice. They need to recognize why what they did was wrong.”

Eugene rubbed the place between his eyebrows. He appeared to feel beleaguered by Seiji and Chad’s united logic.

“The best prank would be if we did, like, a jewel heist of the store. Then we’d hide the cache of stolen loot in those jerks’ room, and when it was discovered they’d protest their innocence, but nobody would believe them, and they’d be dragged off screaming to jail. Then they’d see what it was like to be wrongly suspected!” Eugene had brightened during his dramatic recital, but now he dimmed. “Only we’re not master criminals.”

Seiji considered Eugene and his new scheme for a prank. He felt it had real promise.

“That is a much better idea, Eugene.”

“Yeah, except we’re not master criminals,” protested Eugene.

Seiji tapped his finger thoughtfully against his chin. “Leave it to me.”

“Seiji, I’m finding your current lack of expression even more unsettling than your usual lack of expression!” Eugene said. “Bro, I’m feeling a distinct sense of disquiet here!”

Seiji shrugged. He couldn’t be responsible for everyone’s emotions. It was difficult enough being responsible for Nicholas.

“I love this little guy,” Chad announced.

Seiji assumed he was talking about someone else, someone of below-average height, when Chad rose like a volcano from the sea and slammed a meaty arm around Seiji’s shoulders. Seiji gave a faint gasp, partly from horror and partly because he felt as if his bones were being crushed.

“Whoa, be gentle with him,” Eugene advised Chad. “It’s his first brodeo.”

16: AIDEN

The diner in Kingstone was set up to look like an old-fashioned soda fountain and ice cream shop, with crimson booths and a stained-glass sign behind the cash register reading SWEETS FOR SWEETHEARTS.

Of course Neil would pick a place like this, Aiden thought with scorn. Classic Neil.

“I picked the place,” said Harvard quietly. “I think it’s cute. Do you think Neil will like it?”

Now that Aiden looked at it again, the place was totally cute. Not that Neil would appreciate it, Aiden was sure.

He had to stop thinking this way. The diner was nice. They would have a nice time. Harvard would be happy.

“Of course Neil will like it.” Aiden’s voice rang with sincerity. Neil got to be on a date with Harvard here, after all. “Who wouldn’t like it?”

“Perfect place to have a milkshake,” chimed in Aiden’s date.

“Nobody asked you,” Aiden said with a charming smile. He’d learned that if he employed the smile, he could say absolutely anything he wanted and his dates would interpret it as flirting.

The date supported this thesis by winking at Aiden. Then he reached for Aiden’s hand. Aiden pulled away sharply. He was about to meet Neil, and he needed his hands free. He had to be ready for anything.

Neil was already sitting in a booth. God, Aiden hated the punctual.

“Hey, Neil,” called out Harvard, and gave Neil a little wave.

Aiden was tempted to step in front of Harvard so Neil wouldn’t get to see it, but that would be pointless. The wave would still be meant for Neil. Aiden couldn’t keep it for himself.

Harvard had said, I’m asking for this. Not for Aiden to be with him, but for Aiden to help him be with Neil. This was what Harvard wanted. Instead of blocking the wave, Aiden followed up Harvard’s wave with his most charming smile, aimed in the same direction.

“Hey,” said Aiden. “Neil, is it?”

Neil smiled back. God, Aiden hated teeth.

“Uh, wow,” he said. “You must be Aiden.”

There was a lilt to the wow, which made Aiden think Neil was surprised that Aiden was hot. Why would Neil be surprised that Aiden was hot? It was an internationally recognized fact.

Had Harvard described Aiden as hideous? Surely Harvard wouldn’t do that.

Was Neil surprised to find himself attracted to Aiden? Better men than Neil found themselves in this situation all the time.

Aiden tried to regard Neil dispassionately. He supposed Neil was okay-looking. Tall, hair that was untidy in a way some might find vaguely charming. Vacant eyes, Aiden decided, giving up on dispassion and turning to viciousness. Aiden might while away a Tuesday night with a guy like Neil,