This choice: Get a mind band of one of the girls in the dining room • Go Back...Chapter #36The Third Girl by: imaj   “On second thoughts, I’ll find something interesting myself,” you say to Lisa, dropping a little hint of disdain into Kendra’s voice. Her nostrils flare and her eyes narrow.
“Summer,” says Lisa, taking a step into the dining room. The little Asian girl disentangles herself from her punkish companion and looks round. Her embarrassed expression is adorable. “There you are,” says Lisa perfunctorily. That she isn’t striking a more knowing tone is for your benefit you figure – no sense giving anything away in front of you. “Alyssa wanted a word with you. Like now.”
“Sorry Chris,” says Summer to her companion. The punkish girl rolls her eyes but keeps her mouth shut. Perhaps Alyssa’s reach at Eastman is as far as Chelsea’s is at Westside? “Later,” she says, giving Chris on last quick kiss. Summer scuttles off, following Lisa out.
“What was that all about,” you ask the bemused looking Chris.
She rolls her eyes again. “Usual Alyssa bullshit,” she smiles. “But you didn’t hear me say that.” She looks at you thoughtfully before continuing. “I’ve not seen you around Eastman before, you a transfer student or something?”
“No, actually, I’m at Westside,” you reply sitting next to her and fingering at your purse nervously. The mind band is sitting inside. “Kendra Saunders,” you say, offering your hand.
“Chris Yves,” replies the punk girl, shaking your hand briefly. “I shouldn’t complain really, I hear you have even worse bullshit over there – Someone called Chelsea Cooper messing people about.”
“I’ve heard of her,” you smile wryly.
Chris catches the expression on your face and laughs. “I guess you have,” she says. “Lucky for me her reach doesn’t extend as far as Eastman.”
“I don’t think she’d like you,” you admit. If you’re right about what Chelsea’s motivations are, Chris’ openly out nature would drive Chelsea insane with jealousy. “Actually, I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but you kind of stick out here too.”
“After I went to all this effort to show my team spirit as well,” she snarks, gesturing at her hair and skirt. You giggle a little, a reflex Kendra gesture for when she’s trying to put someone at their ease to get information out of them. “I’m just here with Summer really, and Summer’s been friends with Alyssa since they were little. I just wish she’d…” Chris tails off, obviously choosing not to give voice to whatever she was thinking. You finger at the mind band inside your purse with a free hand.
“She’d what,” you ask gently, trying not to force the issue.
“Oh it doesn’t matter,” says Chris, turning away from you and clamming up. Oh well, you can always find out later for yourself using the mind strip. Kendra’s persona is a little disappointed however. This is your chance though, so you pull the mind strip out of your purse. Chris turns back towards you. “Maybe I should…” she begins before you place the band on her forehead.
Chris slumps forward in her seat. You catch her and gently lay her head down on an armrest. Minutes pass by. No one else at the party seems to be interested in what’s going on in the dining room. You guess there are more than enough rooms in the Carlson house for everyone. Eventually the mind band comes back out and you catch it and place it back in your purse before it falls off.
“Are you ok,” you ask, giving the drowsy girl a slight shake. “You just, like, blanked out.”
“I’m fine,” says Chris, shaking herself free of you. She looks at you somewhat askew but gives no voice to whatever she’s thinking. “Maybe I should be going.”
“Some fresh air might be good for you,” you say as she stands up. “Take a walk outside.” Chris ignores you as she walks unsteadily out of the room.
One down, two more to go.
*****
You run into more of Alyssa’s cohorts up the stairs in a room that is, and this part amazes you, fitted out as a library. At least you assume they are some of Alyssa’s allies. You recognise Lisa Rickover talking to two other girls in a tone that sounds like instructions or even orders. The other two, you don’t recognise. With a small surge of elation, you realise they are attractive enough to be candidates for the third face on the mask.
Not Lisa though, she turns her hatchet like face towards you again as you meander in. “Oh it’s you again,” she sighs. “Decided to be less of a bitch this time?” There is a sharp intake of breath from on of the other girls, a brunette beauty with what is quite simply the most magnificent pair of boobs you’ve ever seen.
With Kendra’s memories, you know better than to rise to Lisa’s baiting. “When am I ever anything other than sweetness and light,” you smile back. Lisa gives you a nod in return. You’re both too good at this game to trip each other up so easily.
“I’d love to hang around all day and spar with you Kendra,” she replies, half to you and half to her friends. “But I really need to find Mandy before you get to her.”
“Shoot,” you say with sickly sweet sarcasm. “You’re really trying to make my life difficult aren’t you? No honour amongst gossips, I guess.” Lisa laughs as she steps through the door past you.
You’re Kendra,” asks the other girl. There’s a southern twang to her voice. You doubt it would be replicated by the mask without an accompanying mind band. Still, her voice by itself has a nice smoky quality and the slender figure and dark red hair will be a nice addition, even if her face leans more towards cute than outright beautiful. “We ain’t going to tell you nothing sugar.”
“Nothing at all,” you pout. “That’s a little unfair. I mean, you know who I am…”
“And what you are too,” interrupts the redhead.
“…but I don’t even know your names,” you continue smoothly. “And would you believe I’m not here to spy for Chelsea.” The redhead glances at the ceiling for a second, her disbelief obvious.
“I think we can let Kendra know who we are Tina,” says the dark haired girl drolly. “It’s not some state secret
“Thank you, Maddy,” says the other girl.
“Pleased to meet you both,” you say, sitting in a comfy chair opposite them. “I promise not to bite.”
“No wonder Lisa is unhappy with you,” mutters Maddy under her breath. Tina elbows her in the ribs and looks unhappy. “Likewise,” she continues more loudly. “It’s great to finally put a face to the name. And the stories.”
“If you ain’t here for Chelsea, who are you here for,” asks Tina, her displeasure etched all over her face.
“Is it so hard to believe that I can do things for myself,” you ask. “I know you Eastman types like Lisa can work together for the greater good.” You watch closely for a reaction when you mention Lisa’s name. You, or rather Kendra, suspect that she doesn’t always sing from the same hymn sheet as the rest of Alyssa’s so called Rumoratti. Tina blanches momentarily, but Maddy is made of stronger stuff.
“Are you saying there’s some division in Chelsea’s group at Westside,” asks Maddy directly.
“I’m saying things are the same as they always are at Westside,” you reply batting the question aside with ease. Maddy may be a little sharper than Tina but she’s still an amateur compared to Kendra. “Why would there be any division? I’m just doing a little fact finding for myself.”
“Yeah, why would there be,” replies Maddy, looking thoughtful.
“Alyssa said we shouldn’t,” whines Tina. Even her petulance sounds great with that voice.
“Alyssa isn’t here,” says Maddy. She looks at you. “And I’m my own person too. Maybe I’ll do some fact finding of my own too.” You smile and nod at her.
“Fine,” says Tina, standing up. “I am going to do what Alyssa asked us to.”
Here’s your chance. Do you follow Tina, with her throaty voice and beautiful red hair, or do you try to add Maddy and her two greatest assets to the mask you are making?
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