"I'll be right back." Jon told Nadine, tilting his head to indicate Mallory.
Luckily home room didn't have a strict set of rules like regular classes. Jon had already been counted for attendance, and until the announcements he had some free time. He was unsure why Mallory would be here, but she seemed desperate to get his attention.
"Finally! Jon, you lost your phone to the worst person possible! Mandy was so freaked out, and..." Mallory began saying frantically as he reached the door.
"Mallory, take a deep breath first. You need to calm down a little if I'm going to be able to get everything you want to saw." He instructed, and let his little sister collect herself for a moment. "Better? Now take things slow, and explain what's happening."
"You know how Mandy was a foster kid, right?" Jon didn't, but nodded along to the information. Mallory accepted the sign and continued. "Her older sister got in touch with her. She knows we are friends and was running you and Tiffany down."
"Her older sister? So their birth mom is Athena Drucker?" Jon was doing his best to follow. He knew Athena had his phone, but what did that have to do with one of her daughters talking about him and Tiffany?
"She doesn't like to admit it, but yeah." Mallory looked sad, but shook her head and continued. "Anyway, I guess Barb got into your phone and saw a bunch of pictures Tiffany sent you. She sent a few to Mandy as proof. Mom would be so pissed if she found out!"
It didn't take much for Jon to figure out what kind of pictures they were. The version of him that was dating Tiffany was about to have sex with her the day before. Of course she'd send something to compensate after they parted.
"So what does Barb want?" Jon demanded, knowing things had just gotten more serious. Being blackmailed was not something he wanted to deal with, but gears were turning in his head to try swinging things in his favor.
"Barb and her mom want money from you and Tiffany. They want a ransom for your phone, and to delete the pictures or they'll spread them. Your lives could be ruined!" Mallory was shaking with fear.
She cursed Tiffany for being so slutty. Those pictures could ruin everything Jon had worked for, and break up her family when her mom found out. Jon had been so dumb to leave his phone too! But a part of her felt guilty. Maybe if she hadn't distracted Jon the night before he wouldn't have left his phone.
It wasn't the situation Jon had wanted, but he had been prepared to pay Athena for his phone back regardless. At least he planned to tell her that to get her to the school for the swap. With the stone he could think of a way to end the blackmail of need be. Athena and whoever Barb was had inadvertently played into his hands. He just needed to act the part so they didn't get suspicious.
"Okay, have Mandy get in contact with Barb and Athena. Have her tell them I'll meet them after school. We'll meet in the front lobby at 3:45 so there will be witnesses. They shouldn't object since it limits what I can do." Jon instructed.
Mallory was relieved Jon understood how serious this was. She wasn't sure what he'd do, but she wanted to help in any way she could.
"They want Tiffany with you at the drop off. Can you get her there?" Mallory asked.
"Y-Yeah, I'm sure she'll be onboard when I explain things. She won't want those pictures out either."
Jon knew Tiffany would help, both out of love and to stop Barb and Athena from ruining her. The problem was Karyn was his backup for the meeting, and had said the night before she didn't want Tiffany involved. He'd have to convince her there was no other way. Maybe even explain about the pictures.
He was sure she wouldn't be happy, but Karyn would want to protect her daughter. He just hoped things didn't get ugly.
"Okay, then I'll go tell Mandy. Be careful, okay?" Mallory begged,
"I will be, trust me." He gave a reassuring smile and saw her off.
The standoff at the end of the day was coming along. He had some of the people he wanted to give a shot at a new swap coming. He just hoped things went right. There were still plenty of things to do before 3:47PM, and he felt it would just get more complicated from here.
