Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[48] OUR VERY LIVES CAN BE AT STAKE

Early the next morning, just before Nori was about to head to Scoops, she heard a familiar voice on her walkie. "Hey, Nori. It's Mike. Can we talk, please? It's important." He says.

While she listens to him speak on the walkie talkie, she doesn't bother answering, only adjusting her hair with a bobby pin.

"Nori. Eleanor Harrington, this is a code red! I repeat, a code red." She makes her way over, rolling her eyes, shutting it off.

A few moments later, the phone rings. Groaning, she picks up. "What?" She asks. "Nori, I know we're not exactly on great terms, but this is a code red." He repeats. "Yes, I heard you the first two times." She tells.

"Something happened, something bad. Our very lives can be at stake." He explains. "Yeah, well I have bigger things to worry about, Mike." She sighs, hanging up.

"Ready to go?" Steve asks, standing at the door. "Ready as I'll ever be." She shrugs.

***

"Hey, Hey." Nori says, walking up on the roof behind Dustin. He peers over the edge, using his binoculars to get a clear view. "Jesus." He jumps.

"You just scared the shit out of me." He sends her an angry glare. "Sorry." She apologizes, taking a seat beside him. "Mike called me before I left this morning." She tells.

"Did you answer?" He glances at her, squinting his eyes at the bright light from the sun shining down. "I had to, he wouldn't leave me alone. He said, and I quote, our very lives can be at stake." She imitates his voice, holding up two fingers to prove she didn't believe it.

"That's bullshit. Probably some excuse to see you again." Dustin points out. "Yeah, maybe." She nods. "I just.. I don't get it. I mean, why would he have to lie to me in the first place?" She questions.

"Tiny, Mike does a lot of things for a lot of reasons." Dustin responds. "Thanks. That answered all of my questions." She remarks sarcastically. "You're welcome."

"If you really care so much, why'd you break up with him?" Dustin inquires. "Because— it was in the moment, alright? Max was encouraging me, and I was feeling confident, and it's not like I regret it— I just... I don't know. It feels different." She sighs.

"Yeah. But, you'll find someone better." Dustin smiles. "Like.. Ralph Macchio." She agrees. "Sure, like Ralph Macchio." He chuckles.

"Or Keanu Reeves." She adds. "Or Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Matthew Modine..." She rambles, Dustin nudging her. "Okay. Enough— That's enough."

The two continue to watch the doors. "The keycard. That's how we get in." Dustin realizes.

***

"The keycard opens the door, but unfortunately, the Russian with this keycard also has a massive gun." Dustin begins as he paces around. Steve, Robin, And Nori sit at the table in the back room of Scoops Ahoy.

"Whatever's in this room, whatever's in those boxes, they really don't want anybody finding it." Nori adds. "But there's gotta be a way in." Robin shakes her head.

Steve blows some air into his hat, then drops it onto the table. "Well, you know... I could just take him out." He says lowly.

Nori can't help but laugh, Steve sending her a nasty glare. "Take who out?" Robin raises her eyebrows. "The Russian guard." Steve explains.

"Didn't know he was your type, Steve." Nori jokes out, Dustin chuckling.

"What? I sneak up behind him, I knock him out, and I take his keycard. It's easy." Steve shrugs. "Did you not hear the part about the massive gun? Plus, If anyone would be taking out a guard, it'd be Tiny." Dustin shakes his head.

"Yes, Dustin, I did. And that's why I would be sneaking. Plus, I'm not gonna let my fifteen year old sister fight off some armed guard." Steve responds.

"Excuse me, what? Why would I fifteen year old be taking out a Russian guard?" Robin furrows her eyebrows. Dustin glances at Nori, who shrugs, standing up and shutting the windows.

She looks to Steve, then quickly transforms into him. "Okay, please don't— please don't do that." Steve says, looking away.

"Tiny has powers." Dustin explains causally as Robin stares with wide eyes. "Holy shit."

"And she beat up Billy Hargrove in Steve's body last year like a goddamn badass." Dustin adds. "Thanks you, Dustin." Nori smiles, transforming back into herself and fist bumping the boy.

"Ellie is not going anywhere near those Russians, got it?" Steve refuses. "Well, please, tell me this, and be honest, have you ever actually.. won a fight?" Dustin crosses his arms.

"Yeah—"

"That was Tiny, try again." Dustin cuts him off. Steve rolls his eyes. "Okay, that was one time—"

"Twice. Johnathan. Year prior." Dustin corrects. "Listen, that doesn't count." Steve denies. "Why wouldn't it count? Because it looks like he beat the shit out of you." Dustin questions.

While they continue to argue, Robin looks off to the side, seemingly having an idea. "That just might work." She mutters.

Quickly running out, she reaches inside the tip jar, taking a handful of the money. "Robin." Steve calls. "Hey, Robin! Hey, what— What are you doing?" He asks as he runs after her.

"I need cash." She states. "Well, half of that's mine." He argues. "Where're you going?"

"To find us a way into that room, a safe way. And, in the meantime, sling ice cream, behave, and don't get beat up. I'll be back in a jiff." She salutes the group, then speeds off.

Dustin takes the scooper, kicking off the extra ice cream. "Oh, dude. Come on, man, not my scooper." Steve snatches it away.