Two weeks of grounding? Ryaan’s dad wasn’t amused when he came home from a study session after midnight. He’d have been even less amused to know what Ryaan was really doing. He spent that time in the local warehouse district scoping out some sort of gang shipment. He expected trouble when he got home. He knew he was choosing his dad’s anger over saying he was sleeping at a friend’s while really sleeping outside. Two weeks though? He expected his dad to bring the hammer down but he thought that’d be a few days. He’d have slept outside if he knew the alternative was two weeks stuck in the house.

Straight to school and straight home. Since the season ended he doesn’t even have basketball practice as an excuse to stay late. What’s he supposed to do cooped up in the house for two weeks? How can he use what he learned at the warehouse without going out and investigating? He’s trying to be a vigilante and now’s not the time to take a break.

At least the information he got was useful. It wasn’t as much as he hoped for but he cornered two guys from his school who are part of the gang and made them give up what they knew. He’s supposed to look into a guy named Eddie and an older woman working out of a flower shop on Cicero called Lovely Lovely Flowers. He knows the area but he doesn’t pay a lot of attention to flower shops. If the guys were telling the truth though that’s where this gang’s recruiting. At the very least he should be able to get some sort of lead to follow from there. He needs to know what they’re moving and where they’re moving it.

Waiting two weeks to follow up is out of the question. Who knows when the situation could change. He has to figure out an excuse to get out, at least for a night. His dad isn’t the type to give time off for good behavior so whatever he comes up with is going to need to be good.

He’s almost disappointed it’s Friday. Usually he’d be excited for the weekend but being trapped in his house is going to make the next two days feel like an eternity. He thinks about skipping school so he can head over to the flower shop but decides against it. If his dad finds out he cut class he’ll be grounded until he turns forty.

Standing at his locker, Ryaan’s about to head toward first period when he sees Mina storming down the hall. She’s the daughter of his mom’s best friend. Ryaan recently saved her from a couple of jerk vigilantes who were harassing her on her way home. She ended up finding out who he is and now she’s agreed to help him with a few things here and there. She wants to make him a new costume and considering how quickly he threw together his current gear, it’s likely to be an improvement.

Ryaan’s teammate Jesse’s been teasing him, saying he has a thing for Mina. He protested but maybe he shouldn’t have. She’s really pretty and very smart. She’s a year younger than he is though and for years she hung around his younger sister Nadia so he always thought of her as a kid. It’s hard to flip a switch and look at her differently.

The smile he flashes as she approaches isn’t returned. She looks like she’s going to tackle him. It’s a big change from the usual shy, somewhat nervous glances she gives him. Ryaan looks for places he might hide but the only option he sees is his locker and he’s pretty sure he won’t fit.

Her face suggests shouting and wild expression but somehow her actual response is more terrifying. When she finally reaches him Mina stares him down without a word. Ryaan isn’t sure what he did wrong or why she’s upset but finally he says, “Morning. How’d you sleep last night?”

Apparently that was the wrong question. “How did I sleep last night? How did I sleep last night? How do you think I slept? You were supposed to call me for support when you got out there. I never heard from you all night. I figured something awful happened. I almost called the cops to send them after you. I got less than two hours of sleep. My night was absolute crap because apparently you can’t bother to send me a text letting me know you’re okay.”

Ryaan’s right hand moves to cover his mouth. “I’m so sorry, I was not trying to worry you. I promise. I was out really late but I never really needed support. I should have called or texted but it was after midnight and when I got home my dad yelled at me for like an hour. By the time he was done grounding me I just wanted to fall into bed and collapse. I promise that won’t happen again. If I tell you I’m going out to do something I’ll let you know I’m okay.”

She stares him down for a few seconds. “Your dad grounded you for being out late?”

“Ya, for two whole weeks.”

She giggles, her frown cracking. “Two weeks? That’s an eternity. That’s so long that I almost feel like I should forgive you. Almost. I’m still mad though so you’re going to need to make it up to me. Did it at least go well? Tell me I didn’t sleep last night for a reason.”

Pausing for a moment, Ryaan glances around to make sure nobody’s too close. “That depends on your definition of well. I got into their warehouse where everything was happening but I couldn’t tell much other than that they were loading a bunch of boxes onto a moving truck. No clue what was in them. Then I got locked in the warehouse and had a hell of a time getting out.”

“Nothing about that sounds good.”

“It got a little better. When I finally found a way out I caught up with the guys who I overheard talking about this in the first place and I made them talk. They gave me a tip about a flower place over on Cicero that these guys are recruiting out of. Which I would love to check out, except now I’m grounded so I can’t do anything.”

“Cicero? Do you mean Lovely, Lovely Flowers?” Her eyebrow rises.

“That’s the place. You know it?”

“Ya, kind of. My mom buys a lot of flowers to keep around the house and that’s where she gets them.”

“What can you tell me about it. Apparently it’s some sort of warehouse or something?”

She puts one hand behind her head. “Well, not really. I mean, they have a warehouse in back where they keep tons of other flowers but the actual shopping area is pretty small. Usually the only person there is the older lady who owns it.”

“Apparently she’s the one running the whole operation.”

Mina’s mouth hangs open. “Really? She’s so nice. I have a hard time believing that.”

“Apparently a guy named Eddie’s involved too. You don’t happen to know him do you?”

She thinks for a moment. “No, he might work back in the warehouse though. Usually I just see the old lady. Are you going to go check the place out?”

A bell rings and Ryaan glances toward class. “I want to, but I don’t see how I can. My dad has me grounded and he’s not going to let me run to a flower shop.”

“What if you took me and Nadia with you? I could stop by to see if Nadia wants to walk over there with me to pick some flowers up for my mom and then suggest it might be a good idea if someone walked with us for safety, with everything going on in the neighborhood. Your dad would almost have to let you go.”

Ryaan’s jaw drops. “That’s actually a pretty great idea. It might not work but it could. I wouldn’t be able to go in costume but I might be able to get the information I need as myself. At least I’ll get a feel for the place if I need to go back once I’m dressed up. When do you think you can come over?”

She glances at her phone. “Does tonight work? I can stop by around six. They’re open until eight so that’ll give us plenty of time. It’s not that far from your place. Once we get to the shop I’ll distract Nadia with the flowers and you can ask the owner whatever you need to ask her.”

“That works. I’ll be ready. Out of curiosity, and you don’t need to answer if you don’t want to, but why don’t you come by to see Nadia anymore? You’ve been friends since you were little.”

There’s some definite fidgeting before Mina says, “I don’t really want to talk about it. Nadia’s still my friend and I love her but it’s gotten weird between us the last year or so and we’re in different schools now so I don’t see her as much. It’s not really my place to say more than that so if you want a better answer you’re going to have to ask her. I should come by more though. It’s been too long since we’ve hung out, I’m kind of excited about it.”

Ryaan grins at her, feeling more upbeat about the day. “Awesome. I appreciate it. I have to get to class but I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

“I guess so.” There’s a long silence before Mina gives an awkward wave and rushes off.