Part 6 (2/2)

*Who is?'

Sas opened her pocket to show me another mobile. This one was pink. She pointed at Lyndal.

So who's is this?' I nodded at the other phone I'd hidden.

Sas pointed to her chest.

*But, Sas-'

She cut me off with a wave of her hand. *Changed my settings so instead of my number showing up on Lyndal's phone, it'll just say ”private number”.'

Excitement bubbled under my skin. *How'd you get her phone?'

*Her locker's under mine.'

*So you broke-?'

*Shhhh,' spluttered Penny, glaring.

*Keep your hair on,' muttered Sas. She turned back to me and whispered. *Technically, I didn't break in. I've had a year to memorise her combination while I waited for her to get her books.' She shrugged. *Lyndal's combination is Chris Holbrook's football number-three-two-three-two.'

*What if her phone has a pa.s.sword?'

*Sorted. Same as her locker.'

*Figures,' I said.

*And so to my prank.'

Part of me was so excited I thought I'd explode; the rest of me was wringing my hands, terrified of being caught.

Sas's eyes sparkled in the gloom. *I'll stick Lyndal's phone under her chair. You take mine to the toilet and call her.'

I nodded, then frowned. *What's her number?'

*I just put it in my phone. When you're done, stick my phone in my locker and come back here. You know my pa.s.sword?'

I nodded. Sas's excitement was flowing into me, almost. *And if we get caught?'

*Ruby-stop being a wuss!'

*I just...' I let my words trail off.

Lyndal turned around. Even in the gloom I could see the zits on her forehead and her pointy little teeth. *If you two don't shut up, I'll call Mrs Finkle.'

*You'll need your phone to do that,' said Sas, her face deadpan.

I held my hand over my mouth.

Lyndal's eyes narrowed. *You two are so immature.' She huffed and turned back to the front.

Stuck-up weirdo. *She deserves this,' I said.

*So, what are you waiting for?' asked Sas.

The Fink looked up and I motioned towards the door. She nodded. I leant down to Sas. *What's the combo again?'

Sas sighed. *Three-two-three-two. And my locker is-'

*I know that!' I scurried from the gym, Sas's phone in my pocket.

When I returned about five minutes later, the lights were on, the film had been paused and everyone, staff and students, faced the middle of the room where Lyndal slumped in her seat.

The Fink stood over her, more fire-breathing dragon than meerkat. *If you didn't bring it in here, who did?' she raged, her neck as red as her s.h.i.+rt.

Lyndal slipped further down in her seat.

I glanced at Sas. Her face was set in a shocked expression so real that, for a second, I almost believed her. Then I noticed the gleam in her eye. I eased into the seat beside Sas, hoping I looked just as surprised and innocent.

Penny pointed at me. *She did it!'

I looked from Penny to The Fink. *Did what?'

The Fink glared at me. *Where have you been?'

*The toilet. You said I could.'

*Are you sure?'

Sas stood. *Want her to tell you what she did in there?'

The red on The Fink's neck spread to her face. *Well, no...' she bl.u.s.tered. She turned back to Lyndal. *Take yourself to Mr Meyer.'

Lyndal's eyes filled with tears.

*Now.'

She huffed past The Fink.

*Right, Alistair, resume the film. Lights, Jesse.'

The stadium plunged into gloom and the frozen horses galloped across the screen again.

The Fink leant towards us. *I'm watching you two,' she hissed.

I dug my thumbs into my elbows to stop myself from laughing.

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