Page 47 of Tell No Lies

“You obviously just want attention. So, did you do it yourself or pay someone?”

It took everything I had left in me not to raise my voice and create a bigger scene. “Why on earth would I ever do that to myself?”

“Nobody at this school cares about you anymore. The shiny new toy has become used and dull.”

“You think I care what people here think about me?”

She rolled her eyes instead of replying.

“My friends’ are the opinions I care about. Some psycho put those on my car, along with the message. If you want that kind of attention, I’ll pass off your information to him, and maybe he’ll leave me alone.”

She glared at me for a few more seconds before Mr. Cox finally decided to make an entrance, and she moved back to her seat.

I fell back into my desk and closed my eyes. Who did Sydney think she was? Accusing me of doing something so messed up to myself just for attention. She was the only person I’d ever met so obsessed with appearances and popularity that the idea would even cross her mind.

☼ ☼ ☼

True to his word, Mike walked me to the usual spot where we met Cassie then chaperoned us to the girls’ locker room door. He gave a look at Cassie before finally walking away.

“Please tell me he did not talk to you about watching me.”

She shrugged as we got to our lockers and set her bag down. “It’s not like I wouldn’t do it automatically.” My expression must have spoken for me. “Aubrey, we’re all worried about you. Talia and Alexis explained some stuff to me this morning, and I’m so sorry you’ve been going through this. I wish you had told me earlier.”

I knew leaving her out of the initial discussion of the situation had been a mistake. I trusted her and knew she would never hurt me. “I’m sorry. Things have just been crazy, and I wanted to keep it to myself. I never thought it would become public. Nothing up until yesterday has been outside of my house.”

“I understand why you didn’t tell me, but I want to be here for you now. Plus, the team needs you this weekend!” She chuckled, and it broke up the tension hanging over us.

“That’s all I’m good for, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

We laughed together, and it felt so good to forget about all of the bad happening for just a moment.

Once we finished changing, we headed into the dance room. Warming up and going through the floor routines were the perfect distraction for an hour.

The moment we changed back into our clothes and got outside, I was reminded of my situation. Donny and Bear were standing on either side of the locker room doors, acting as guards. Once Cassie and I stepped out, they flanked us without communication. It would have been impressive if it wasn’t so creepy.

“You guys got the second-to-third-period shift?”

Bear nodded but continued scanning the area. He would make a great Secret Service agent when his professional football career ran out. I turned and told him that, but he only nodded slightly, not allowing for distraction. Evidently Mike’s threats had been pretty severe to turn the two biggest goofballs I knew into serious bodyguards.

Cassie broke off to go to her class, but Bear and Donny were attached to me all the way to English, where Talia was waiting for me. I turned to face the guys and held my arm up in a salute. “Alright, men, you’re dismissed.”

Bear rolled his eyes, and Donny laughed. Finally, they were back to themselves.

Talia pulled me into class as the bell rang out. “Surviving so far?”

I didn’t bother telling her about the Sydney drama. I knew Mike had already spread the word. “I hate everyone staring at me like I suddenly grew another head, but I appreciate you guys watching out for me. I just wish you didn’t have to.”

She shrugged, and I appreciated her acting normal. “The attention will blow over eventually, and we’re all determined to figure out who is doing this to you. Hopefully, we’ll have some answers soon.”

Mrs. Alexander began her lecture, putting our conversation on indefinite pause. I tried to focus my attention on the class discussion rather than, well, anything else. I caught Gage glancing at me a few times. After the third time, I mouthed, What? and got, Are you okay? in response.

What a loaded question. At that exact moment, I was fine. Nothing could really happen to me in the middle of school with so many people around … but I knew he meant in general. Should I answer honestly? That I felt like my entire world was crumbling around me faster than I could put it back together? Or should I give a noncommittal shrug, the universal sign of: No, but I’m not going to admit anything?

I compromised and mouthed back a simple No.

He scowled and looked frustrated, but I turned my attention back to Mrs. Alexander and told myself I’d talk with him later.