All the students at Northside High agree on one thing:
Locker location is EVERYTHING.
If you get a locker where the popular kids hang…
You’re officially part of the “it” crowd.
And if you don’t get one of those coveted spots?
Then you’re a nobody with a loser locker.
Like me.
But I’m used to it by now…
Because I’m Raina Sen.
An Indian American nerd with frizzy hair and conservative parents.
I do have a report card full of straight A’s…
But at Northside High…
That doesn’t do much for your street cred.
But…there is one good thing about my loser locker.
I’ve got the best view of Jay Armstrong.
He’s a total heartthrob…
The football quarterback…
And the man of my dreams.
Jay’s locker is right across the hall from mine.
Which means that every morning I get to watch him.
At exactly 7:11 a.m. he walks up to his locker—
— Deliciously sweaty from football practice—
And takes off his jersey to reveal his perfect abs.
Just like he’s doing right now.
I flip open my notebook and start to draw.
Jay wipes down with a towel…
Runs his hands through his hair…
And flashes that gorgeous, lopsided smile.
If only that smile were meant for me.
Jay used to smile at me.
We grew up together as neighbors, and friends.
I used to think we could be more than that…
But one day, three years ago, he just stopped talking to me.
He hasn’t even looked in my direction since.
ShellyYou missed a line.
Ugh? What’s that smell?
I look up to see my loser locker neighbor—
Smelly Shelly.
She’s smiling at me with her creepy, beady eyes.
I should have known it was her.
RainaWhat?
Shelly points to my drawing of Jay.
ShellyI believe he has another row of muscles on his abdomen.
ShellyRight there.
I move my notebook away from Shelly’s greasy hands.
And hold in my breath.
I always try my best to be nice to her but…
It’s kind of hard when she smells so bad.
RainaErm, thanks.
She stares at me and holds up her class schedule.
ShellyDo you have AP English first period too?
I nod, still holding my breath.
ShellyWould you like to walk to class together?
ShellyIf we arrive early, we can be assured front row seats.
I shake my head no and let out a few words without breathing.
RainaGot some stuff to do. But I’ll be there soon.
Shelly shrugs and saunters off.
I let out my breath.
Where was I?
Oh yeah — the man of my dreams — Jay Armstrong.
I look at my drawing, and start to add another line on his abs, when—
My pen is suddenly ripped from my hands.
SummerEnjoying the view?
I look up and into the eyes of Summer Hart.
She’s Northside High’s head cheerleader…
The most popular girl at school…
And Jay Armstrong’s girlfriend.
RainaW-what do you mean?
I hate the way my voice shakes…
The way it ALWAYS shakes…around her.
When she hears it, she laughs.
Standing behind her are her minions — Vivi Baez and Briar Fox.
They laugh too.
Vivi looks me up and down.
ViviIs that really your outfit for the first day of senior year?!
I look down at my old jeans and t-shirt.
ViviYou are such a scrub!
BriarOh, I dunno Viv…I kinda like it.
BriarIt highlights her best feature…
Vivi raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
BriarHer flat chest.
The two girls cackle together.
My face burns.
Summer takes a step forward…
Pressing me against the cold, hard steel of my loser locker.
SummerTell me, Raina…
Her voice is deceptively sweet.
SummerAre you really going to spend another year pining after my man?
RainaI…I-don’t know what you’re talking about.
SummerOh no?
She lowers her gaze…
Her eyes roam my body…
And before I can react…
SummerThen what’s this?
She snatches my notebook out of my hands.
RainaNo! Stop—
Summer glares down at my drawing of Jay.
And when our eyes meet again…
There are flames in her dark stare.
She rips the page out of my notebook and slowly tears it down the middle.
SummerLiar.
Vivi flips her long black hair over her shoulder.
ViviUgh, I knew you were pathetic.
ViviBut this is a new low, even for you.
BriarFor reals, so creepy.
BriarWhat else are you hiding in there?
Horror fills my gut as Briar grabs the notebook from Summer and starts flipping through it.
BriarOh my god, Summer, these are all of Jay.
Briar giggles.
BriarAnd he’s like, butt naked!
Vivi grabs the notebook out of Briar’s hands.
ViviGross! What are you, some kind of stalker?!
They laugh as they flip through the pages.
But Summer hasn’t moved.
And her eyes haven’t left mine.
SummerIt’s sad, really.
I try to hide the humiliation I’m feeling and will myself to speak.
RainaWh-what’s sad?
SummerHow delusional you are.
SummerThat you think Jay would ever want you…
SummerWhen he’s got me.
Her eyes narrow, and she leans in toward me.
Vivi and Briar close in behind.
Summer whispers in my ear.
SummerI mean, you’re not pretty enough to be that stupid.
She reaches behind me and opens my locker door.
SummerYou’re worthless, Raina.
SummerA total nobody.
Summer, Vivi, and Briar pick me up…
And violently shove me inside my locker.
SummerAnd that’s why you’ll always be alone.
Summer slams the locker door in my face…
Locking me inside.
Darkness closes in around me.
And hatred burns in my chest.
I slam a fist against the door.
Why do I let her bully me like this?!
Why can’t I ever stand up for myself?!
I close my eyes, and lean my forehead against my fist.
Why do I let a girl who used to be my best friend…
Treat me like trash?
Hatred morphs into despair…
And heat rises up my chest, my neck, and my face.
I bang on the inside of the locker door…
Calling out for help…
But no one responds.
I feel myself starting to hyperventilate.
My chest squeezes.
I start to sweat…
My head swoons…
And I’m about to pass out…
But then, I feel a cold sweep of wind on my face.
And an eerie white light suddenly emanates from the locker walls.
I take a deep breath, and I start to feel calmer.
A glimmer catches the corner of my eye.
I turn to the left wall of my locker…
And gasp.
There are letters written all over the inside of my locker…
And they’re glowing!
A ghostly, silvery glow…
They’re names and initials.
I’m mesmerized by the strange, glowing ink…
As I look at all the names etched onto my locker wall.
I whisper to myself:
RainaWhy haven’t I seen these before?
I read a few of the names, but don’t recognize anyone I know.
They must have been written years ago.
I trace the wall with shaking fingers.
RainaOuch!
Suddenly, something falls to a thud on my foot.
I look down and see a strange pen on the locker floor.
I use my sneaker to roll it part way up the wall…
And then stretch my arm down until I can just grab it.
I wrap my fingers around the glowing pen.
It feels cool in my hand.
I look more closely at the pen.
It’s silver and translucent.
And it has that same, eerie glow…
As the names on the wall.
I swear, for a moment, the pen pulsates against my skin.
I stare at all the names and initials inside my locker wall.
And, suddenly, I’m overcome with an urge to add to them.
So I write the first initials that come to my mind:
J.A.
I draw a heart around the letters…
Just then—
My locker door flies open.
And I look up to see a familiar face:
Quinn Taylor.
Quinn is opinionated…
And strong-willed.
Which, of course, makes her a total loser at this school—
Just like me.
But Quinn is one of the few people I actually like.
QuinnGirl, what are you doing in here?
I squint as sunlight pours into my locker.
I turn sideways and step into the hallway…
Quickly shutting the locker behind me.
For some reason, I don’t want her to see the names.
RainaI uh…accidentally got locked inside.
I stuff the silver pen in my pocket.
Quinn gives me a quizzical look.
She picks my torn notebook up off the floor and hands it to me.
QuinnLocked inside?
I take the notebook from her and nod, my face flushed.
Quinn opens the locker door and jiggles the inside of the lock.
QuinnYou know you can’t get locked in, right?
QuinnIt’s got a safety latch here, right on the inside.
RainaOh…right.
Her next words stop me short.
QuinnAlthough I wouldn’t be spendin’ my time stuffed up in there if I were you…
QuinnThat locker is…cursed.
I give her a look.
RainaWhat do you mean?
She smiles a mischievous smile and wiggles her eyebrows.
QuinnMy column in today’s school paper — read it.
QuinnLast page.
I stare at her, confused.
But she just winks.
QuinnSee you in class, girl.
She waves and walks off.
I stand there, glued to my spot.
My locker is…cursed?
What does that mean?
Does she know about the glowing names?
I open the locker door and peer inside again…
But the letters — and the light — are gone.
Suddenly, the bell rings.
I’m late for my first class!
I gather my things and shut my locker door.
I walk backwards…
Still staring at my locker.
And wondering what Quinn meant.
When all of a sudden—
BAM!
I drop my books and spin around.
Oh my god.
I just walked smack into Jay Armstrong.
My face flushes with embarrassment.
I bend down to pick up my books…
Assuming he’ll ignore me…
Just like he’s done for the past three years.
But when I look up, his eyes lock with mine.
And he freezes.
I stand up.
He stares at me, his eyes wide.
His face goes completely still.
A cold wind sweeps by us.
His mouth contorts strangely, and then—
JayI think about that night in the pool house all the time.
I blink once.
Twice.
And he does the same.
The walls seem to close in on me as I replay his words.
What did he just say?!
His mouth is hanging open…
And I know mine is too.
But before I can get my voice to work…
He shakes his head—
— As if he can’t believe those words just left his mouth—
And jogs off.
I stand dumbfounded in the hallway…
Watching him disappear around the corner.
My hands tremble at my sides.
Why did he say that?
That night in the pool house…
Three years ago.
When we…
My head spins.
He’s barely even looked at me since that night…
But…could it be true?
He still thinks about it?
My heart shimmers with hope.
But then reality rushes back in.
Of course it’s not true.
Summer probably got him to play a prank on me.
It’s just some cruel joke.
I gather my wits…
And finally get my feet to move.
I get to first period and find my seat.
The teacher, Ms. Akins, is facing the board.
Ms. AkinsYou’re late, Ms…?
RainaUh, it’s Raina. Raina Sen.
Ms. AkinsSit down, Raina.
She speaks without looking at me.
I’m still reeling from what just happened with Jay.
RainaSorry Ms. Akins.
I look at the row of seats.
Smelly Shelly waves at me from the front row.
I smile weakly and wave back.
Both seats next to hers are empty…
But thankfully, Quinn gestures to me from the back.
I hurry to take the empty seat beside her.
Ms. AkinsOkay class, we have a lot of material to cover this year.
She’s smiling when she turns to face us…
And her eyes sweep over the class.
Ms. AkinsSo let’s get start—
But then, her gaze meets mine…
And she goes still.
Her eyes grow wide as they lock with mine.
A cold wind sweeps through the classroom.
Her mouth contorts strangely, and then—
Ms. AkinsI’m madly in love with my sister’s husband!
I rear back, stunned at her words.
The class around us erupts into laughter.
Ms. Akins covers her mouth with a shaking hand.
Ms. AkinsI didn’t mean to say that!
The laughter continues…
But I’m too shocked to join in.
Ms. AkinsOkay, okay, that’s enough!
Ms. AkinsSETTLE DOWN!
She bangs on her desk, and the class finally starts to quiet.
Ms. Akins launches into her lesson for the day.
I take out my textbook and pretend to follow along…
But my mind is racing.
What just happened?!
Why did Ms. Akins blurt out that secret in front of the entire class?
Jay looked at me like that too, with wide eyes—
Just before he…said what he said.
Could these two incidents somehow be…linked?
I take a sip from my water bottle, trying to calm my mind.
It’s nothing, I tell myself.
You’re just being silly.
I start to feel a bit better…
But then I see what’s written on the chalk board…
And nearly choke.
Senior AP English.
Ms. Janet Akins.
Janet…
Akins…
J.A.
She has the same initials as Jay.
The same initials I wrote this morning…
With that eerie, silver pen…
On my glowing locker wall.
Quinn’s words come back to me:
“That locker is…cursed.”
I shoot straight up out of my chair…
Could this really be happening?!
Could the initials I wrote in the locker this morning…
Be connected to the weird outbursts?
I place my palms flat on the desk in front of me.
RainaHoly crap.
Quinn gives me a strange look.
QuinnYou alright, girl?
I nod.
But…no.
I’m not alright.
I’m currently contemplating the impossible.
Ms. Akins’ eyes swing my way.
Ms. AkinsIs there something you need, Raina?
Her cheeks are still bright red.
RainaUm…
I should say no.
I should sit back down and pretend none of this ever happened.
But…what if?
I have to test out my theory.
RainaMay I use the bathroom please?
Ms. Akins raises her eyebrow.
Ms. AkinsClass just began.
I bounce up and down, pretending…
RainaIt’s an emergency.
Ms. Akins relents and hands me a hall pass.
I race out of the room…
And nearly slip on the sleek floors as I round the corner.
I pull the silver pen out of my pocket as my locker comes into view—
Man's VoiceHALT!
I freeze.
I spin around to see Mr. Armstrong.
Northside High’s principal…
And Jay Armstrong’s dad.
He glares at me as he steps out of the bathroom.
He finishes tucking in his shirt and walks up to me.
Mr. ArmstrongHall pass?
I show him my pass.
Mr. ArmstrongWhere are you headed?
I stammer…
RainaErm, I forgot my textbook…in my locker.
He looks at me, eyebrows raised…
Then hands back the pass.
Mr. ArmstrongNo running in the halls.
Mr. ArmstrongNext time, it’s detention.
I nod, and he spins on his toes and walks away.
There’s pink tissue paper hanging out of the back of his pants.
I chuckle and tiptoe toward my locker.
With fumbling hands…
I open the door and step inside.
And as soon as I shut the door…
The glowing letters appear again.
My heart races.
There are the initials I wrote — J.A. — with a heart drawn around them.
They’re pulsing.
I look down at the glowing pen in my hands.
It feels cool to the touch.
I slowly take off the cap.
I bite my lip, thinking…
Who can I test this on?
Then I write the initials:
Q.T.
Quinn Taylor.
If this works, I’ll explain everything to her later.
I lift the safety latch and stumble out of the locker…
Barely remembering to close the door behind me.
I run back to class and rush through the door.
Red-faced and slightly out of breath…
I look all around.
But the class is silent.
Everyone’s noses are buried in their textbooks.
Ms. Akins looks up from her lesson plan and gives me an exasperated sigh.
Ms. AkinsSit down, Raina, and get to work.
I look at Quinn.
She’s deep in her reading.
Everything looks normal.
Writing Quinn’s initials on my locker…
Did absolutely nothing.
I laugh out loud.
Quinn glances up at me and then back at her book.
Of course it did nothing.
There’s no…curse.
What would that even mean?
Ms. AkinsRaina!
I make my way back to my seat…
And by the end of class, I’m feeling better.
But then…
The bell rings.
I turn to gather my books…
And my eyes lock with Quinn’s.
She stares at me, and her eyes go wide.
A cold wind sweeps between us.
Her mouth contorts strangely, and then—
QuinnMy nipple piercing gives me spontaneous orgasms!
I freeze in place.
The rest of the class erupts in hoots and hollers.
Quinn blinks her eyes with confusion…
Then leans back slowly in her seat.
She turns to me.
QuinnI didn’t mean to say that.
QuinnIt just…came out.
I don’t respond.
I don’t have words.
The locker curse…
Is real.
I need answers.
I run after Quinn as she heads out of the classroom.
RainaQuinn, wait!
She still looks perplexed about what just happened…
But, to her credit, she doesn’t really seem embarrassed.
Just…intrigued.
Some kids from class walk by, point at her, and snicker.
She just flips them the bird, unfazed, and turns back to me.
QuinnWhat’s up, girl?
RainaWhat did you mean this morning…
RainaWhen you said my locker is cursed?
She puts a hand on her hip.
QuinnDidn’t you read my article yet?
I don’t have the heart to tell her no one ever reads the school paper.
I don’t even know where to get one.
RainaUm…not yet.
She rolls her eyes…
Then pulls a newspaper out of her bag.
I grab it from her and read the headline.
Quinn’s Qorner — August 19, 1996.
Quinn’s Qorner“Death at Northside High: The Tragic Tale of Eleanor Buckley.“
My eyes go wide.
RainaWho’s Eleanor Buckley?
Quinn leans in conspiratorially.
Quinn20 years ago…
QuinnThere was an incident.
RainaWhat kind of incident?
QuinnA girl named Eleanor was bullied.
QuinnSome girls shoved her into a locker and shut her inside…
We walk up to my locker just then…
And Quinn gives me a meaningful look.
RainaMy locker?!
Quinn nods.
QuinnYup.
QuinnIt was the last day of school before summer, and everyone had already gone home.
QuinnSo no one was around to let her out…
QuinnThe janitor found her body on the first day of school the next year.
My jaw drops.
QuinnShe’d starved to death.
I cover my mouth in horror.
QuinnHer eyes were open all wide…
QuinnAnd her mouth was twisted in pain…
QuinnLike she’d been calling out for help.
RainaOh my god, that’s…
QuinnGruesome as ****?
I nod.
QuinnGirl, you don’t even know.
Quinn opens my locker.
QuinnCan you imagine being locked in here all alone until death?
I shake my head slowly, still processing what I’ve just learned.
She jiggles the latch.
QuinnThat’s why they put in the safety latches.
I close the locker door.
Quinn’s eyes gleam.
QuinnBut the story doesn’t stop there…
QuinnIt gets weirder.
RainaWeirder…how?
QuinnRight when the bell rang on that first day…
QuinnWhen everyone was gathered around this locker…
QuinnLooking at Eleanor’s dead body…
QuinnThe girls who had shoved her into the locker…confessed.
QuinnAll at once.
QuinnAll at the same time.
Chills go up my spine.
RainaThey just spontaneously…confessed…their secret?
Quinn nods.
My mind spins.
Quinn points to the picture in her article.
QuinnThat’s Eleanor.
QuinnThe janitor took that picture when her body fell out of the locker.
I look closely at the picture…
And my face goes white.
A girl about my age is lying there, in front of my locker…
Her body splayed on the ground…
Her mouth twisted with pain.
And, gripped tightly in her hand…
Is the silver pen.
After school that day…
I wait until the halls are empty.
I stuff myself back into my locker, then shut the door.
The glowing letters immediately appear…
And they nearly take my breath away.
Gathering myself, I skim through Quinn’s article again…
Searching for the names of Eleanor’s tormentors.
Mary Addleton, Brandy Cross, and Heather White.
I search all along the locker walls…
I read every name…
But can’t find them.
Then I look right in front of my eyes.
There — on the back of the locker door—
I see their initials, written in red:
M.A.
B.C.
H.W.
And etched beneath the initials are the following words:
When next your guilty eyes do lock with mine…
And loudly rings a bell throughout the halls…
Your secrets dark and dirty deep entwined…
Will seize your lips and be revealed to all.
With heart enclosed a heart’s desires tells.
A double-crosser crossed eliminates.
Liars, cheats, and tormentors pray tell, lest…
This magic locker’s walls secure your fate.
And it’s written…in blood.
Later, I walk home…
Digesting…everything.
It seems impossible.
Insane.
But there’s no other explanation for what happened to Jay, Ms. Akins, and Quinn.
I go over the events again in my mind.
I wrote their initials on the locker wall…
And when the bell rang…
And their eyes locked with mine…
They each blurted out a secret!
“Liars, cheats, and tormentors pray tell, lest…”
“This magic locker’s walls secure your fate.”
When Eleanor died…
Did she somehow imbue the locker with…
Magical powers?
A curse like Quinn said?
Is that cold wind that sweeps over me right before someone blurts out a secret…
Eleanor Buckley’s ghost?
I shiver as I walk up the steps to my house.
I’m so distracted…
I nearly miss Jay arriving at the same time next door.
I’d normally just walk inside.
But after what he said today…
I stop.
He does too.
And we lock eyes.
When I see him making his way over to me…
I grip the banister.
His dark brown hair is messy…
As if he’s been running his hands through it all day.
And that lopsided smile of his is nowhere to be seen.
I hold my breath as he stops a few feet away.
JayHey.
RainaHey.
I swallow thickly.
He clears his throat.
JayLook, I…
JayWanted to apologize for this morning.
JayI don’t know why I said what I said…
He pauses, as if still trying to figure it out.
But I don’t need to wonder.
Because I already know.
It was the magic locker.
And even though the truth was forced out of him…
I find I don’t care.
I’m still desperate for his words.
But he sighs and looks down.
JayYou know what?
JayNever mind.
JayJust…I’m sorry, okay?
Knowing that he still thinks about me…
I find a small kernel of courage that I didn’t have this morning…
And slowly let go of my grip on the banister.
I walk down until I’m standing right in front of him.
Because I want to hear him say it again.
This time, of his own accord.
RainaWas it true?
RainaWhat you said?
He goes still at my question.
And when he finally replies…
His voice is nothing more than a rasp.
JayYes, Raina.
JayIt’s true.
My heart flutters.
He admitted it!
I can’t believe it…
I look him in the eyes, my breathing heavy.
RainaI think about that night too, Jay.
RainaIt was my first time.
His gaze softens.
JayIt was mine, too, Raina.
JayYou know that.
JayThat night was…special.
I close my eyes.
Breathing in his sweet words.
But when I open my eyes and look up at him again…
He’s backing away across the lawn.
JayBut it doesn’t matter now.
I want to call out…
To stop him…
But, just then, a cherry red convertible pulls into his driveway…
And my dreams are shattered again.
Summer, Vivi, and Briar drive up, honking and waving at Jay.
My stomach drops as I see Summer hop out of the backseat in her short cheerleading skirt…
And throw herself into Jay’s arms.
My nostrils flare.
The hatred I felt for her while trapped inside my locker this morning returns full force.
It isn’t fair.
Jay was mine!
I loved him.
I gave my virginity to him that night in the pool house.
And he gave his to me.
But then he suddenly stopped talking to me…
And a week later, he was dating Summer Hart.
Summer was my best friend…
And she stole him from me!
My gut roils with growing anger.
I’m so caught up in my thoughts…
I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear the loud horn blare.
I look over and see the convertible in front of my lawn.
Briar and Vivi are sitting inside, grinning cruelly.
Vivi flips me off.
Briar adjusts her ample chest…
Then leans over the side of the car.
BriarYou look like ****.
BriarSpend your morning stuffed in a locker?
They both cackle with delight.
I think of Eleanor…
And silently seethe.
Briar looks over to Summer and Jay…
Then back to me.
BriarHe’ll never want you, you know.
BriarNot when you look like something I chewed up and spit out.
She spits her gum at me…
And it lands inches away from my sneaker.
My chest rises and falls with measured breaths…
Anger burning inside me.
ViviLet’s get out of here.
ViviBefore we catch what she has.
The car screeches as they speed away…
And Jay and Summer head into his house.
But I stand there on my lawn…
Long after they disappear.
If only there were something I could do.
Some way I could get revenge on Summer and her cruel minions…
For bullying me all these years.
I pause.
Then press my hand against the pen in my pocket.
A grin slowly spreads across my face…
As an idea takes shape in my mind.
Maybe there is something I can do.
I run inside my house.
MomRaina?
My mom calls out from the kitchen as I bound up the stairs.
MomHow was first day of school?
I keep running, not stopping to talk.
RainaFiiine!
I yell over my shoulder without turning my head.
MomDid you make new friends?
RainaCan’t talk now, Mom! Too much homework.
I run up to my bedroom and shut the door.
My heart is racing.
Being invisible for the past three years…
I’ve heard and seen things that I probably shouldn’t have.
Everyone’s got secrets.
Truths they keep hidden.
And I’m going to expose them.
One by one.
I’m going to use my magic locker…
To take down Summer and her evil friends.
When I arrive at school the next morning…
The pen is already in my hand.
I pass by the cool kids’ lockers…
And glare at Summer, Vivi, and Briar…
Flirting and laughing with all the jocks.
I just smile to myself, and walk up to my locker…
Invisible to all of them, as usual.
I slip inside and gently shut the door.
The glow coming off the walls feels cool on my face.
I examine the initials I wrote yesterday.
J.A.
I meant them to stand for Jay Armstrong.
But the locker didn’t know that…
Because Ms. Akins has the same initials.
This time, I’ll be more specific.
I pull the cap off the pen and place it confidently on the wall.
A coolness seeps through my fingers…
As I write out the name of my next victim:
Briar Fox.
I race to the gym.
There’s a pep rally this morning…
So Briar will definitely be there.
And when the bell rings…
Everyone will be around to hear her secret.
It’s the perfect setup.
Because I know she’s hiding things.
I’ve seen how she’s changed over the years.
Not just on the inside, but on the outside too.
I rush in just as the bell rings.
My eyes scan the rows of students chatting on the bleachers.
Mr. Armstrong steps behind the podium…
And the crowd grows quiet.
Then, I see her.
Briar Fox — sitting in the front row—
With all the cheerleaders and football players.
I enter her line of vision…
And her eyes lock with mine.
She freezes.
Her eyes grow wide.
A cold wind sweeps between us.
Her plump lips open and her mouth contorts strangely…
And her high-pitched voice slices through the auditorium.
BriarSummer Hart—
Her head turns creepily toward Summer.
BriarLast year, I snuck into your bedroom and stole your bra…
BriarSo I could make a plaster of your boobs…
BriarFor my boob job.
There’s a beat of pin-drop silence.
And then the audience erupts.
Absolutely erupts.
Loud gasps and harrowing laughter echo against the domed ceiling.
Summer stares at her friend, utterly appalled.
Vivi, sitting on Summer’s other side, gapes at Briar…
Her mouth twisted with disgust.
The silver pen thrums in my hand…
As something I’ve never felt courses through my veins…
Power.
I knew Briar had plastic surgery…
But this secret is even better than I imagined!
I take in the chaos around me…
And I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face.
I feel eyes on me…
And when I look up…
I see Jay.
Our gazes lock, and my heart thumps.
His expression is curious…
And for some reason, I shove the pen back in my pocket.
My eyes are then drawn to Marcus and Peter…
Jay’s two best friends, sitting on either side of him.
Marcus is grinning maniacally…
And Peter is howling with laughter.
Peter suddenly stands from his seat and yells so everyone can hear:
PeterKnew they were fake when I felt them, babe…
PeterBut who cares? They’re great boobs!
More laughter.
Marcus piles on.
MarcusGuess we have Summer to thank for that!
I laugh along with everyone else…
My gaze sliding back to Briar.
She’s shaking…
Literally trembling in her seat.
Her eyes are lined with tears…
And I see a trail of mascara running down one cheek.
My smile grows wider.
Karma.
Sweet, sweet karma.
I stand there…
Reveling in my victory…
But then I feel another pair of eyes on me.
A more sinister pair.
Vivi.
Her gaze is narrowed as she takes in my smile.
She stands from her seat…
And points at me.
ViviWhat are you laughing at, *?
ViviTalk about someone who could use a boob job!
The audience erupts with laughter all over again…
And my body freezes with humiliation.
Peter, his face still red from laughing…
Sneers in my direction.
PeterShe should start with a nose job!
ViviOhh yeah! And a hair transplant!
ViviThen maybe we could stand to look at her.
Vivi and Peter howl together with laughter.
I stumble back, a rush sounding in my ears…
The laughter seems louder than before.
And this time, it’s aimed at me.
Unprompted, my eyes go to Jay’s.
He’s hissing something at Peter…
And then he turns to me…
His face full of pity.
It’s too much.
I can’t bear it.
So I turn tail…
And run out of the gym.
I’m so stupid.
So, so unbelievably stupid.
With quivering hands, I open my locker…
And shut myself inside.
I throw the silver pen to the floor…
Then put my head in my hands.
Tears stream endlessly down my face.
My plan backfired.
Briar was humiliated…
Just like I wanted…
But in the end…
It was me who was put to shame.
I glare at her name on the wall…
Written in my handwriting.
The silver ink is still glowing…
But now it feels like a taunt.
A soft knock sounds on my locker, and I jump.
JayRaina?
JayAre you okay?
The sound of his voice sends my pulse into a gallop.
For a second, I’m lost for words.
The door is suddenly pulled open…
And then he’s there.
His handsome face etched with concern.
JayWhat are you doing?
Ignoring his question…
I step out, blinking away the tears in my eyes.
I take deep breaths…
Trying to get my emotions under control.
JayRaina, I’m sorry Peter said that—
Embarrassment tightens my throat…
And I snap my head up.
I look at his face…
And years of pent-up anger bubble to the surface.
RainaWhat do you care, Jay?!
He backs up, stunned at my outburst.
I take a step forward.
RainaSeriously?!
RainaWhat’s it to you?!
RainaYou haven’t talked to me in three years!
JayI—
RainaJust leave me alone.
RainaGo back to pretending that I don’t exist.
RainaYou’re good at that.
His lips tighten…
And I see his hands clench into fists at his sides.
JayYeah, maybe I am.
JayBut you gave me no choice.
His voice is quiet, but there’s heat behind each word.
RainaSo it’s my fault?!
RainaIs that what you’re saying?!
His eyes flash.
JayYou know it is.
I shake my head…
Unable to believe what I’m hearing.
RainaMy fault that the week after we slept together…
RainaYou started dating my best friend??
Jay grits his teeth…
And his jaw flexes.
JayAren’t you forgetting what happened in between?
I throw my hands up.
RainaWhat are you talking about?
He takes a step forward, getting all up in my personal space.
My heart stutters at his nearness.
JayWhat you told Summer the night after we slept together.
I pause, confused.
RainaWhat do you mean?
JayThat you regretted it!
JayThat I was awkward…and disappointing.
JayAnd that you never wanted me to touch you again.
My mouth drops open, my knees nearly buckling.
RainaWhat?!
He runs his hands through his hair.
JaySummer told me what you said…
JayBecause she didn’t want to see me hurt.
JayShe was there for me…
JayComforted me…
Jay pauses.
JayAnd then…we fell in love.
His eyes flicker with a hint of sadness.
I shake my head…
My eyes filling with tears again.
RainaJay, I never said any of those things!
He sighs.
JayLook, we were young and inexperienced.
JayIt was a long time ago…
JayI’m over it.
I reach out and put a hand on his arm.
He flinches at the contact.
RainaJay, I told Summer that night meant everything to me.
RainaI told her YOU meant everything to me.
He shakes his head.
As if he doesn’t quite believe it.
JayThen why did Summer say you hated it?
JayShe wouldn’t lie to me.
I laugh without humor.
RainaIf you believe that, then you don’t know her.
RainaBecause she did lie.
He looks away, conflicted.
RainaPlease tell me you believe me.
RainaDeep down, you have to know I wouldn’t say those things.
He looks at me…
And I can only hope he sees the sincerity in my gaze.
He scans my face, then his eyes soften.
JaySo this whole time…
JayYou thought—
RainaI thought our night together was amazing.
Regret suddenly twists his features…
He comes toward me…
And I think he’s about to reach out to take my hand…
But then he stops.
The air hangs heavy between us.
I steel my nerves…
And speak what’s on my mind.
RainaSo, what are you going to do?
RainaNow that you know she lied?
He hesitates, but then the look on his face changes.
And, just like that, the spark between us is gone.
He stands up straight and leans away from me.
JayNothing.
RainaNothing?!
JaySummer and I…
JayMake sense together.
I blink at him.
Wow. Just wow.
Summer really has Jay wrapped around her little finger.
Just like she does everyone else.
There’s nothing I can do about that right now.
I have to bide my time.
But I still want him any way I can have him…
RainaFine.
RainaBut can you and I start over?
RainaCan we be…friends?
He smiles that lopsided smile.
And my heart warms in my chest at the sight of it.
JayI’d like that.
PeterYo, Jay!
PeterWhere you at?
Peter comes barreling around the corner…
And stops abruptly when he sees Jay talking to me.
PeterWhat are you doing?
He looks me up and down as if to say…
“What are you doing talking to this scrub?”
I cross my arms, glaring at him.
JayTalking to Raina.
JayWhat does it look like?
Peter arches an eyebrow…
Clearly befuddled as to why the captain of the football team…
Would be talking to a loser like me.
PeterWhatever, just come back to the rally.
PeterIf Coach sees that you skipped…
PeterHe’ll be **.
Jay sighs and nods.
Then he looks to me…
And smiles again.
My body tingles in response.
JayPete’s right but…
JayTalk to you later?
I nod and bite my lip.
Feeling happier than I have in years.
RainaTalk to you later.
I watch him walk away…
Ignoring the look Peter gives me…
I keep my eyes on the man I love.
The man I’ve loved for years.
And with that thought in my head…
I reach into my locker…
And retrieve my silver pen.
I don’t go back to the gym.
I roam the halls…
Thinking about Jay’s smile.
Friends.
We’re going to be friends again.
But I want more.
And I would have more.
…If it weren’t for Summer.
The anger in my blood reaches a boiling point.
She’s even worse than I thought!
She betrayed me—
QuinnGirl, I need your help!
I spin around to see Quinn behind me…
A mischievous smile on her face.
RainaWhat’s up?
QuinnYou gotta make a drawing for me.
She wiggles her eyebrows.
RainaWhat kind of drawing?
QuinnA caricature…
QuinnOf Briar Fox.
I freeze.
RainaWhat for?
QuinnI’m working on the article of the CEN-TU-RY.
My stomach churns.
RainaAbout…what?
QuinnRemember what happened yesterday in AP English?
Of course I remember…
But I just shrug, pretending I don’t.
Quinn sighs.
QuinnGirl!
QuinnI told everyone about my piercing-induced orgasms.
QuinnAnd at the beginning of class…
QuinnMs. Akins admitted she wants her sister’s man!
My stomach drops.
RainaUmm…yeah.
QuinnAnd then today, in front of the entire school…
QuinnBriar Fox goes and tells the world that she stole her best friend’s boobs!
RainaSo?
QuinnSo?!
QuinnIt can’t all just be a coincidence.
QuinnSomething’s going on around here…
QuinnAnd I’m going to find out what!
I struggle to keep my face neutral…
But my heart is pounding in my chest.
RainaWh-what could possibly be going on?
She leans in.
QuinnI dunno…
QuinnBut I have a theory.
I raise my eyebrows.
RainaWhat?
QuinnI’m gonna do some interviews…
QuinnAnd publish a piece about all the secrets that have come out so far.
I gulp.
RainaSo far?
QuinnI have a feeling this is just the beginning.
QuinnReadership is going to skyrocket!
QuinnThe paper will finally get the lovin’ it deserves.
Great.
Just great.
What if she finds out what I’m doing?
My whole plan will be ruined!
I place my hand on the pen in my pocket.
But…how could she possibly EVER find out?
She’d never suspect the truth.
I barely believe it myself.
But I’d better keep an eye on Quinn…
Just in case.
QuinnSo you gotta make me a drawing of Briar for my piece.
RainaErm yeah…okay.
RainaI can have it to you by the afternoon.
She snaps her fingers.
QuinnThanks girl!
She wiggles her eyebrows.
QuinnI’m off to do some snooping.
She spins and walks away, just as the bell rings.
I head for science class…
And see a group gathered outside the room.
Summer, Vivi, and Briar.
Briar’s face is tear-stained…
And Vivi’s pointed nail is in her face.
ViviWhat were you thinking?!
ViviYou humiliated us!
BriarI don’t know!
BriarIt just slipped out!
Summer’s face is contorted with fiery rage.
She steps in front of Vivi, towering over Briar.
SummerYou violated my privacy!
SummerYou stole from me!
SummerAnd you call yourself a friend?!
Vivi shoves Briar in the chest.
ViviAre you like, obsessed with her or something?
Briar’s face pales.
BriarOf course not!
BriarI just—
Vivi— All that plastic surgery you’ve been getting…
ViviIs it just so you can look more like Summer?!
Vivi’s eyes gleam with a mix of distaste and delight.
Briar’s face is desperate.
BriarN-no! I—
SummerI don’t want to hear your excuses.
SummerYou’re a liar and a thief.
SummerAnd I’m done with you.
Briar puts her head in her hands and starts to sob.
Vivi gives her a mirthless smile…
ViviWhy are you still standing here?
ViviGet gone *.
Briar’s lip quivers…
And then she sobs again, running off down the hall.
Vivi and Summer titter as they walk into class.
I stand at the door for a moment…
And my hand unwittingly goes to my pocket.
The coolness of the pen seeps through my fingers and up my arm.
I shiver with delight—
Reveling in the feeling of power.
I smile, and enter the classroom.
Everyone else is already seated.
I see Summer sit down next to Jay…
But he barely spares her a glance.
I see Marcus and Peter…
Sitting there all high and mighty in their football jerseys.
But instead of fear…
Instead of trying to make myself invisible…
I laugh.
What are they hiding?
What secrets have they buried deep?
Vivi spots me and crosses her arms.
ViviWhat are you laughing at now, RAINA?
Everyone turns to stare at me…
But I keep my chin up high.
I saunter over to Vivi’s desk…
And place both palms flat on its surface…
Leaning down into her face.
She doesn’t say anything…
And I know she’s shocked at my behavior.
RainaYou’ll see…
My voice doesn’t shake.
Not even a little bit.
I find my seat, but I feel eyes on me.
It’s Jay.
I smile at him, and he smiles back.
I swear Summer growls in response.
But I ignore her.
I ignore everyone…
Then I lean back in my seat…
Smiling, and twirling my pen.