The Swing Chapter Twelve

1

When June and I showed up at Dans house, David and James had their band over. They were practicing for a show they hoped they would be able to play in. Although they had to pass the auditions first, everyone was pretty sure they could make it. 2

"Nice hair Chalice." Ticket looked up at her. Him and Dice were sitting down on the floor watching them play. That's what we usually did unless someone had a party or we went to the mall. I never complained though. 3

"Thanks. Wheres everyone else?"4

"Yeah. I missed you too Chalice." Dice looked up smiling.5

"There in the back." Ticket was pointing at the kitchen.6

"Cool, oh and I missed you Dice." I started heading to the kitchen, trying not to trip over any of the wires. David would be so mad if his guitar got unplugged and I wasn't in the mood to deal with that nor did I want to stop him from playing, they were good. I heard June getting mad at Dice, apparently he didn't call her last night when he said he would. They had been going out since the beginning of the school year and every time one thing went wrong, its like a car blew up. "Hey." There it was, the notebook. I had completely forgot about it, I never saw it again until now. Ace and Clark were leaning over it like they were reading a map and planning where to go. 7

"Uh." Ace turned around quickly and Clark shut the book almost as fast. 8

"Whats that?" I knew I had caught them in the act of something. How they reacted to me gave it all away. That notebook was a secret from me.9

"Oh nothing, just my art book, remember?" Clark held it up and was turning it around to show it was the black notebook from the party. The initials weren't there, which meant I was right. They had switched the books on me and what he was holding in his hand the whole group new about, except of course, me.10

"Really, have you drawn anything new? Let me see." They couldn't hide it from me. Clark had let me look at the switched one and I could use that against him. They had no excuse if it was just an art book like they claimed.11

"No." Clark looked kinda guilty. Ace however was good at covering up and looking innocent.12

"We were just looking at something he drew, he was going to give it to Chase." Chase was a girl he liked, Ace was doing good. It was such a shame I had already seen through it. I didn't want to get into anything and figured if I wanted to see it, I would sneak a peek some other time. 13

"That's sweet." I played the part I knew would keep me away from trouble. I smiled at them and reached for the fridge. I opened it up and grabbed some soda. I saw them stick the book into a cupboard. The third one down on the right side of the sink. I was determined to see what they were hiding from me, but would have to wait.14

David was moving his fingers all across the neck of the guitar and the sound was amazing. Everyone was there from the school and closest neighbors who knew they were playing tonight. The garage was packed and the driveway went on forever. The band was full of smiles with the turn out. All my friends were upfront listening to them so I figured it was the perfect time to sneak into the kitchen.15

It was dark and so I turned on the lights. The cupboard was to my left, I was here and safe so far. I looked around to see if anyone was coming and kneeled down to get the book. I had it my hand, no initials for sure, this was the notebook. I opened it up to the front page. It was in Italian; La Cosa Nostra. 16