RUBY POV
"You want to use me? That's what you're saying?" Brenda asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Not exactly," I quickly said.
"I know it sounds creepy," Lana added, trying to calm her down. "But we'll fill you in later. We just need to act before he does anything serious."
Brenda looked between us, clearly confused and uncomfortable.
I could understand why.
If someone had approached me with this kind of plan out of nowhere, I probably would have thought they were crazy too.
"Mary, do something," I whispered, nudging her with my elbow.
Mary sighed before stepping forward.
"We're not trying to hurt you, Brenda. But there's something you need to know."
And that was how we ended up telling Brenda everything.
By the time we finished, the color had drained from her face.
She looked pale, almost as if she was about to pass out.
"I can't do this," she whispered. "He's so scary."
"Brenda—"
"No." She shook her head quickly. "You don't understand. Philip is—"
"But I know someone who can help," I interrupted.
She looked at me.
"Who?"
I smiled faintly.
"My fiancé."
Her eyebrows shot up.
"Your fiancé?"
"Long story."
For the first time since we started talking, Brenda looked slightly less terrified.
We needed a hacker.
Someone who could help us get what we needed without Philip realizing what we were doing.
And thankfully, I already knew someone.
---
This week had been nothing but exhausting.
And somehow, exciting too.
Now it was Friday.
Operation day.
My stomach twisted every time I thought about it.
The boys still had no idea what we were planning, which was probably for the best.
If Lee or Peter found out, they'd probably try to stop us.
Or worse, they'd want to help.
And we didn't need more people involved.
The plan was simple.
At least, that's what we kept telling ourselves.
Brenda would switch phones with Philip when we got the opportunity, and we'd get the phone into the car before anyone noticed.
"So we're really doing this?" Brenda asked for what had to be the hundredth time.
"Yes," Lana answered.
"And you're sure this will work?"
"We've practiced it more times than I can count," Mary said.
I nodded.
"You're going to be fine."
Brenda took a deep breath.
"I'm still nervous."
"So am I," I admitted.
She stared at me.
"You don't look nervous."
"That's because I'm very good at pretending."
She gave me a weak smile.
I knew exactly how she felt.
My heart had been racing since we came up with the plan.
But there was no turning back now.
Lee had already given us the information we needed.
"Philip leaves school early on Fridays," Lee had told us. "Around one."
That was our window.
We'd delay him just enough to make him hurry.
And when people were in a hurry, they made mistakes.
We stood together before heading to our different classes, going over everything one last time.
"Delay him."
"Switch."
"Get the phone to the car."
"Don't panic."
We repeated the words together.
Again.
And again.
It had practically become our mantra throughout the week.
Then the bell rang.
We exchanged nervous looks before splitting up.
As I walked toward my classroom, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong.
Then I remembered something.
I had one job.
Stall Philip.
---
I stood near the hallway, pretending to scroll through my phone.
I spotted Philip approaching and immediately straightened.
"Okay," i whispered to herself. "Just stall him."
Philip walked past me.
"Philip!"
He stopped and turned.
"What?"
Ruby smiled.
"I need to talk to you."
He frowned.
"About what?"
Ruby hesitated.
Anything.
She needed to say absolutely anything.
"Well..."
Philip looked at his watch.
"I'm in a hurry."
"I know."
She stepped in front of him.
"That's why I need to talk to you now."
His expression hardened.
"Ruby, move."
She smiled nervously.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
"What?"
She took a breath.
"Do you like Lana?"
Philip stared at her.
"What kind of question is that?"
Ruby shrugged.
"Just answer me."
He glanced at his watch again.
"Not now."
"Oh, come on. It's just one question."
"I'm serious, Ruby."
"And I'm serious too."
Philip sighed impatiently.
Ruby could practically hear the seconds ticking away.
She knew she had to keep him there.
Just a little longer.
Because somewhere nearby, the rest of us were already putting the plan into motion.
And if I failed to stall him...
Everything we'd worked for could fall apart.