Ratbags and Scallywags [bxb]

Chapter 25 - Charlie

The midday sun mercilessly baked the courtyard, heat shimmering upwards in wobbly waves beneath our school shoes as we hurled a battered rubber ball around. Liam played as if meticulously engineered for glory—launching each handball with ruthless precision—while Jude lingered lazily behind him, delivering casual kicks to the backs of his heels that somehow levelled the playing field.

Ben looked appropriately miserable, which, of course, was hardly headline-worthy these days. Trey had a keen knack for jumping on Ben any time he so much as breathed, seizing any chance to indulge his relentless nitpicking.

"Charlie, think fast!" Liam's shout cut through my thoughts as he slammed the ball violently against the concrete. With misplaced confidence, I lunged—elbows-first into the gravel—only to watch the ball bounce neatly into my square. "Hahaha, sucker!" Liam's laughter echoed obnoxiously.

"Ahh, hilarious," I groaned, picking myself up and brushing gravel from my battered elbows. Nothing quite like a public humiliation to round off an already stellar week.

But then Ben's laughter abruptly vanished. I followed his gaze to Ikeisha's group, scattering across the field, practically bowling over anyone in their path. Aubrey wasn't among them, so I turned my focus back to what really mattered: exacting petty vengeance against Liam Petrie.

Just as Goose raised his arm to resume play, Ikeisha's voice interrupted from behind. She hurried towards me, eyes darting around our group as if searching for someone particular.

"Charlie, there you are," she said, breathless. "Did you have a good chat with Aubrey?"

"I sure didn't," I said, offering her a quick glance before turning back to Goose, signalling that I was ready.

"Oh?" She tilted her head, visibly perplexed. "Did you fight? Did he go off somewhere upset?"

"Huh?" I asked, pausing mid-throw to turn and look at her.

The guys wandered over, sensing drama.

"What 'huh'? You met with him, right? He said he was going to meet you like an hour ago."

"Meet me? Where?" I looked back at my group in case they might've known something I didn't, but they looked as clueless as I was.

Ikeisha's brow furrowed deeper. "We can't find him. We weren't worried 'cause we thought he was with you, but you're here. He hasn't texted or replied to any of us."

What could he be doing? Why would he say he was meeting me? I couldn't answer, but images of Jesse and Horse-Face Hughes clawed their way into my mind.

A creeping unease settled cold in my stomach.

I turned to my group. "Guys, I'm gonna look for Aubrey."

There was still a little time before the bell rang for class. I had a sense where he might be, and sprinted towards the gym building.

Ikeisha and Trey caught up behind me as I struggled with the doorknob.

"Why would he be in here?" Ikeisha asked, frowning. "It's already locked."

"Call it a hunch," I replied, darting around the side, scanning for any opening. "The signal drops near the closet we've used before. He might be stuck inside."

My gaze swept along the brickwork until I spotted some old white plumbing snaking down near an open window. Not exactly inviting, but it was something. I'd have to scale it and hope it didn't cave under my weight—lest tragedy ensued.

"I'll get the building keys from the office," she said, already turning to run. "Hold on."

Trey stayed, hands hovering beneath me as I grabbed the piping. "Wait—aren't closets locked from the outside? How would he get trapped if only janitors have the key?"