“Creepy feels like a good word to describe it,” Maddie agreed. “When my family was living at City Hall, we’d go up to the roof and check out the sunrise some mornings. I always thought it was really creepy looking over and seeing that giant-ass statue.” She just barely managed to stave off prying questions about why Caitie never talked about her family in the present tense. The topic of the Stone’s exaggerated self-importance distracted her. “I can’t stand any of ‘em. Well, Dude Stone isn’t too bad, but the Chick Stones are all annoying.”
George and Luke — and their odd Star Wars associated names — weren’t too bad, either, but Maddie shared a fraction of Caitie’s aversion to those two’s minor influence within the leadership. It was risky, associating with those two, and yet amusing at the same time. It was irony along the lines of a preacher’s promiscuous daughter.
Holding up her index finger to make a point, she added, “A stalker and a rapist who sparkled in the sunlight. Can’t forget that tiny little detail.”
“Mine is, too. That and I share a cell with my sister. Wouldn’t be sexy at all to try and get it on in the top bunk.” The Johnson’s had arrived at Sing Sing too late to lay claim on the better rooms, so she and her brothers and sister had been forced to settle for cells in the upper level of A Block. It wasn’t ideal, but they’d made the place cozy enough. Of course, she didn’t tell Caitie any of this. As a thief herself, she didn’t completely trust anyone who wasn’t family.
“Well, he’s a French guy who paints things and has boring taste in room decorations. Maybe he’s gay and doesn’t want anyone to find out, and that’s the only reason he’s with her.” She shrugged, unconcerned.
Listening as the other girl gave a vague listing of what was in the cabinet, Maddie glanced up from the puddle of blue paint on the floor and watched as Caitie did a purposeful job of splattering the wall with pink paint. Initially, Maddie’s spill had been an accident, but she wasn’t above a little vandalism, and it wasn’t like paint couldn’t be washed off.
She mirrored Caitie’s grin. “What better way to make our leader guy’s room more interesting than to give it a better paint job?” Maddie mused aloud, flinging the remaining contents of the first container at the wall and furniture nearest her. Tossing the empty container on the floor, she reached for the rest of the supply in the closet and set about creating a masterpiece.