Page 22 of Christmas Criminal

I wait until all feet and elbows are safely within the car, and close the door on her. She blinks up at me from the other side of the window for a moment, the hint of a smile on her face before she turns the car on.

I take a step back, grasping my hands behind my back while she puts it into gear and slowly drives away, waving over her shoulder as she heads for the road.

Man, I am in over my head with this one.

5

NOELLE

Wednesday, December 4th

Another day, another two hours of community service.

Nick is reading again when I arrive, his feet propped up on the desk like usual. He grins when he sees me, and for a second, I mirror that grin right back at him.

And then something comes over his face, like he remembers he's not supposed to be happy to seehis criminal,and his smile fades.

He checks the time on his phone as he stands. "Look who's almost on time today," he remarks.

I roll my eyes. "I finished work earlier than usual. Thought I would grace you with a few extra minutes of my presence."

"I'm honored," he deadpans, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Did the hut-building work for you yesterday?"

I shrug. "Sure. What else are we going to do forcommunity service?"

"Again, clapping erasers out back is always an option."

I roll my eyes. "Come on, Mr. Monroe. Let's go build some huts."

He nods and follows me out the front doors of the school.

Where we run smack dab into Robbie.

"Am I late?" he asks. "Sorry, I needed to find a ride."

I look at Nick.How many detentions did he give the poor kid?

"For hut-building?" Nick asks.

"Yeah."

Nick glances at me. "You did your detention yesterday. You didn't have to come back again," he says.

Robbie shrugs but doesn't say anything further.

"Unless youwantto build huts?"

He shrugs again.

"To be clear, you're welcome to come with us, but you're under no obligation to help."

He shrugs again, glancing at me.

"Oh my god, Nick. Let the kid build a hut if he wants to build a hut."

Nick throws his hands up at me. "God Noelle, it's like zero to sixty with you. I'm making sure he knows he's fulfilled his duty."

I gesture to him. "I think he knows he's fulfilled his duty. Right, Robbie?"

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