When it comes to emotional and mental health, Louie was the weakest one. That’s why we made sure that we'd not go say something unnecessary towards her.
“Alright, pals, shut up. I’m gonna continue my interrupted storytelling!” I yelled, stealing their attention back.
“So, after her driver gave the tray of eggs, Lou floundered down the flight of stairs and we followed suit.”
I burst out laughing as I remember that night.
Shaking my head as my laughing fit died down, a smile made its way onto my lips. “Never in my life, I imagined Lou would be wild and hyper that night.” My pointer finger bounced from Key to Litty, Gwen sitting in between them. “She handed you both with two eggs each.”
Litty began cackling, even though she couldn’t recall any of it. Albeit not remembering things, the way she laughs shows otherwise. Key shook her head and chuckled.
Gwen tilted her head and looked at me confused. “And you?” she asked.
I pointed to myself. “Me?”
She nodded.
I leaned my back and shrugged. “Her family driver bought a half-dozen. Lou said that it was fine since the three of them love me, and I don’t need it. I got no idea what she’s talking about.”
I sighed, letting my shoulder get pulled by the gravity, lazily. “Then, Lou commenced throwing the egg to those who were dancing on the dance floor, followed by Key and Litty. Since that night, I called you three eggs.”
They all snickered like there is no tomorrow. I can even see their gums showing.
“Oh, my–” Key calmed herself by huffing a light blow of air through her mouth, “what a shame. Why didn’t you stop us?”
“Why would I? I saw how you enjoyed what you were doin’. Who am I to stop that little fun in your life?”
Crossing my legs, I propped my left cheek on my knuckles, elbow resting on the armrest. “After you threw the eggs, I asked Lou’s driver to help me drag you out of the bar. The people who got eggs smothered on their faces and tops ran after us. I have just recalled the event the next day. I suffered from a severe hangover at that time.”
I noticed how Key’s hand touched her neck, trying to trace a missing piece on it. That made me curious.
“I remember looking for my mom’s necklace the next morning. I think I left it there,” Key stated, making the laughter inside the HQ automatically die.
“Have you raked it in your room?” asked Gwen with concern trailing in her voice.
Key nodded as she hummed. “I did, but there’s no sign that that memorabilia was still in our house. I’m pretty sure my necklace was there at the bar.”
I pick my banana milk up and sip on it before butting into their conversation. “We can’t go back there again,” I said firmly.
“Why? Are we banned from Triple X Bar?” Lou asked.
I shook my head, letting out a half-hearted smile. “Because of what you three did, they were hunting us down.”
“I see.” Key nodded her head, understanding the situation.
“Is that important?” Gwen inquired.
Key sighed. “Of course. I received it from my mom when I was fourteen. Mom inherited it from my grandma’s grandmother. That’s why it’s very special to me.”
I stood up, picking the trash one by one. Crumpling the paper bag and combining the trash into one.
“It’s time. You shall head home.” I whipped my head to Louie, who was about to waltz to her favorite spot on the left-wing of the HQ, the mini-library. “Lou, stay here. I need someone to help clean the mess.”
“Sure.” She walked back in my way and helped me.
“I’ll stay–”
Key got cut off when I shook my head and faced her. “Na-uh. We’re having a meeting tomorrow after class,” I lied while locking eye contact with Gwen.
My eyes switched to Key and Litty. “Laten we hier morgen terugkomen, zes uur precies.”
They nodded. I know that Lou also got my message nice and clear since she also nodded along. I forced a smile when I met Gwen’s pair of puzzled eyes. Albeit being confounded, she returned the smile.
I’m not mocking or saying bad things to her, but it’s a good thing that she didn’t understand what I’m blabbering about.
“Goed juffrouw, als u het zegt. Safe trip home.” Key turned her body against us and walked away.
“Head home eggs!” I yelled while wiping the table, my eyes on the open door.
Litty shakes her hand off, dismissing herself. “Whatever. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye D-T, bye Louie,” Gwen bid.
We finished cleaning up and no trash left. I made sure that no student was passing by to eavesdrop on us first. When I was a hundred percent sure, I went back in.
“What now?”
“Search for any possible information about Gwen. Record of anything that will prove my assumptions wrong. You must head home now. I will handle the remaining things here.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “Let’s talk about this tomorrow once we are completed.”
I put the book in my bag that was resting on the floor when Lou asked, making me halt in the process. “Do you trust her?”
“A bit. If she wanted to join us she has to gain our trust, especially me. You know me well, Lou. I don’t trust anyone that easily.”
Mismanage things will bring problems if I’m not cautious enough, and I’m avoiding any circumstances that will lead me to nowhere but killing them in the end.
“I know. But, what if our assumptions about her were right? What will you do?”
I faced her and tucked my hands into the pocket of my blazer. “I’ll discuss it with Key. If she wants me to kill her…” I swung my bag and let it hit my back, then stared at her watching eyes, and I continued, “Then, I’ll do it. No hesitation.”