Page 31 of Tell No Lies

This came as an epiphany, yet it contradicted my previous decision. I knew who my true friends were, and I decided in that moment that after school I would have to talk to the other girls. Mike would probably catch on soon too. He could always tell when there was something going on. I laughed to myself when I realized he was probably already in contact with Brandon, his buddy.

During lunch, I tried to act normal. Mckayla sat next to me, watching over me. I caught a couple of looks the girls shared, but they never asked what was wrong. I appreciated them giving me space, but their patience would wear down soon.

Andy and Tucker walked by during lunch and waved. I had almost forgotten about the weekend already. It seemed so long ago, before I was worried. Before I knew that my past had followed me.

I didn’t want to feel like a victim again like I had been back in Chicago. I hadn’t done anything to take back control, but I’d learned my lesson, and I wasn’t going to do that again. When I got home, I was going to talk to Brandon. I wouldn’t let this take over my life again.

That was the catalyst for my determination. With newfound confidence, I decided I was going to figure out who this was and stop it before it escalated like it had in Chicago. Morgan was gone from my life. Whoever was doing this was a copycat, some sick person that thought I was an easy target. I learned from my mistakes, and I wasn’t going to run this time. This was the life I wanted, and I was going to fight for it.

Twelve

During Yearbook, Mckayla and I came up with a plan. We made a list of the people we could trust. She wanted to be as exclusive as possible; hurt feelings didn’t matter.

She texted Talia, Alexis, and Mike and invited them over to my house for dinner. I asked about Cassie, Gage, and their boyfriends, but she told me to only trust those we knew we could trust. She had been friends with Cassie for years, but she was at Catalina and might have had alternative motives for getting close to me. I absolutely hated assuming the worst in my friends, but I knew in the end she was right. Hopefully, it wouldn’t matter, since they would never find out they were being excluded.

Mckayla and I were setting out pizzas when the doorbell rang. Before I could turn to open it, the door swung inward, revealing Talia and Alexis holding bottles of soda.

Alexis waved two bottles around. “Who’s ready to party?”

I laughed at her despite Mckayla’s glare.

“This isn’t a party, Alexis,” Mckayla said. “This is a very serious matter.”

Alexis frowned and set the soda on the counter. Talia stood next to her, almost defensively. “Calm down, Mac. You didn’t tell us what’s going on, just that we needed to be here at seven.”

Mike let himself in and stared at all of us, apparently sensing the tension. “How are my favorite ladies doing?” His big grin helped to defuse some of the awkwardness, but not completely.

I stepped around the girls and into his open arms. I was beginning to really love that spot. “We’ve got dinner ready, and I have something I need to talk to you guys about.”

Talia raised a brow but nodded without a word and started handing out plates.

After we all had food and a drink, we sat around the island. I caught them sharing curious glances, so I decided it was time.

“Alright. Moment of truth, you guys.” I hesitated, trying to figure the best way to break the news.

“Dramatic pause?” Alexis giggled, obviously amused at herself.

“Sorry, I don’t know where to start.”

Talia gathered her hair into a ponytail, catching my attention. “Try the beginning. We’re here to listen and help. No pressure.”

I smiled gratefully at her. “The notes have started again, and whoever left them included pictures of me from last weekend.”

I looked at each of them, gauging whether or not I could go on. They had various looks of shock, so I thought it would be best to power through before the questions came.

“I found the pictures in an envelope next to my bed on Monday morning, and there were two messages on my computer. Brandon and Carter were able to isolate the internet service provider that sent the messages.” One more sigh before I dropped the bomb. “It’s someone here. Someone we might know is doing this to me, again.”

I counted to five in my head before the questions poured out. I shot a desperate glance to Mckayla, silently begging for her help.

“Guys, stop! That’s all we know right now. Asking the same questions we already have isn’t going to help.”

Mike looked angry—scary angry. “Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”

My mouth opened and closed. I was shocked that he was more upset with me for not telling him than he was with the situation as a whole. “I’ve been trying to process this, Mike. It’s been an insane couple of days. I only told Mac this morning.”

He crossed his arms and stared me down. “You aren’t alone this time. I want to be here for you, but I can’t do that if I don’t know it’s going on. You should have called me. I would have come over.”

“I appreciate that, but I haven’t been alone. Brandon has been here and even took a day off work, and Carter has been here when Brandon can’t be.”