Page 102 of S.O.S. Perk

“I, uh, have my car,” he told her.

She shook her head. “No way. I’m not letting you drive like this. Is there anyone you can call?”

“Uh, my parents are both working, but I suppose I could ask my girlfriend?” he suggested.

“And she is where?” Melissa was no-nonsense.

“Maybe in the parking lot? She probably hasn’t left yet.”

“Call her,” Melissa said pointedly. “And if you can’t get her, I’ll find someone here to drive you.”

“Okay.” Perk fumbled with his phone as if he were feeling a little incapacitated, then hit Sloane’s number.

She picked up on the first ring. “Hi babe,” he said. “I’m, uh, feeling a little off. Ms. Phillipoff doesn’t think I’m okay to drive. Can you come to her office and get me?”

Sloane giggled on the other end of the line. “Does she suspect anything?”

“Not that I’m aware,” he responded with a straight face.

“Cool. I’ve already flashed my credentials to the cop at the door, so I’ll be right in.”

“See you in a sec,” Perk crooned, then hung up to fill Melissa in. “She’s coming.”

“Good. Now while we wait, I’ll process the paperwork you’ll need to bring with you to your next school.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Sloane’s voice came from the open doorway.

“Slo!” Melissa grinned. “What are you doing here?”

“Picking up my friend.” Sloane smirked as she came in and closed the door behind her.

“Huh?” Melissa looked seriously confused.

Sloane made her way to where Perk sat, and without hesitation, he tugged her down onto his lap where they kissed briefly.

That was enough to make Melissa’s eyebrows rise up almost to her hairline, and have her leaping to her feet.

“Wha… What do you think you’re doing Sloane? This is a…student. A teenager. Anunderagedyoung man,” she yelped out.

Sloane turned to her bestie and smiled. “Actually, Mel, this is my boyfriend.”

“Like hell it is.” The woman looked panicked, and Perk knew it was time to put her misconceptions to rest. Sloane was clearly on the same page.

“You tell her,” Sloane suggested.

“Gladly,” he responded before turning to Mel. “Actually, Iamher boyfriend,” Perk told the woman, standing up to place Sloane on her own two feet, albeit glued to his side with his arm around her shoulders. “My name isn’t really Thomas Perdudan.”

Melissa blinked. Twice.

Perk continued. “It’s Henry Perkins, but everybody calls me Perk. I’ve been posing as a student here to get close to those involved with the money-grabbing scheme that’s been going on. I actually am employed by a firm called SOS. But on this case, I’ve been working hand in hand with the FBI. Sloane in particular.” He gave her a squeeze as she beamed up at him.

Melissa took a second of spluttering to find her voice. “This?” she squeaked at Sloane. “This is Perk?YourPerk?”

“Uh, huh. Cute, isn’t he?” Sloane teased.

“You bitch,” Melissa cried, a smile slowly growing on her face. “You total, bad-assed bitch. I’m so…so mad at you right now.” She spoiled that assertion by laughing. “I can’t believe… Wait.” She eyeballed Perk. “How old are you, exactly, Thom—, uh, Perk?”

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