Mr. Armstrong’s confession hits me like a blow to the stomach.
I slowly sit back down on the bleacher…
The blood draining from my face.
When I wrote the principal’s name in the locker…
I had no idea what he would confess.
I just wanted a little revenge.
But never—
— Not even in my wildest dreams—
Did I imagine this.
Mr. Armstrong does drag?!
Does Jay know?
Did his mom?
Jay is suddenly on his feet in front of me…
And from the look on his face…
It’s clear that Jay had no idea about his father’s secret.
Oh god.
I’ve hurt him again.
The crowd around me is quiet…
But the silence doesn’t last.
Whispers and titters spread around the auditorium.
Mr. Armstrong grips the sides of the podium…
And even from all the way over here…
I can see his chest heaving.
Vice Principal Dickson—
— His face bright red—
Leans over to whisper something in his ear.
The principal nods curtly…
Then immediately strides from the gym.
I don’t pay attention to what Dickson says next…
Although I know he is desperately trying to get the crowd under control…
Because my eyes are only for Jay.
And his are locked on his father.
He suddenly jumps off the bleachers…
And I don’t think, I just follow.
As I’m leaving, I see Quinn.
She’s standing, her eyes narrowed on me.
Jay pushes the doors to the gym open…
And the sound is like the blast of a cannon.
He’s upset.
Really upset.
And it’s all my fault.
Guilt like I’ve never felt before swarms me.
It clogs my throat…
Rendering me unable to call out to him.
Mr. Armstrong is at the end of the corridor…
But Jay’s heated voice stops him short.
JayWhat the **** was that?!
I slink back into the shadows…
Knowing I shouldn’t witness this…
But the guilt keeps me rooted in place.
Mr. Armstrong is stiff…
And I notice he won’t meet Jay’s eyes.
Mr. ArmstrongGo back to the gym.
Mr. ArmstrongWe’ll discuss this later—
Jay— No! We’re going to discuss this now!
JayWhat the ****, Dad?!
JayIs it true?!
The principal blanches at the question…
But then his face goes hard.
Mr. ArmstrongJay, I’m not feeling well.
Mr. ArmstrongClearly something has come over me.
Mr. ArmstrongJust go back—
Jay— It is, isn’t it?!
JayAll those late nights?!
JayThe closet that’s always locked!
Jay stumbles back.
JayDid Mom know?
Mr. Armstrong’s face pales.
I wrap my arms around myself…
Feeling as if I’m falling apart.
What have I done?!
Mr. ArmstrongIt’s not your business what I do with my own time!
Mr. ArmstrongIt’s no one’s business!
JayNo one’s business?!
JayYOU JUST TOLD THE ENTIRE SCHOOL!
Mr. ArmstrongI didn’t mean—
Jay waves a hand to cut him off.
Jay— Ever since Mom died, you’ve been trying to mold me into a “proper man.”
JayYou expected me to play football.
JayDate the head cheerleader.
JayAnd do all these other things I didn’t care about…
JayJust because it supposedly fit your ideal of what a man should be.
JayAnd all this time, you’ve been…
JayYou’ve been…
Mr. Armstrong’s face drops.
Mr. ArmstrongJay—
Jay— You’re a god**** liar!
JayAnd a hypocrite!
Jay’s angry shout echoes in the empty hallway, making me jump.
JayYou didn’t trust me with the truth!
JayAnd you know what? I wouldn’t have even cared!
JayYou wanna do drag?! That’s great!
JayBut you’re a liar!
JayAnd I can’t believe you lied to Mom all those years, too!
Jay spits at his dad’s feet.
JayYou were always so ashamed of me…
JayNow I’m the one who’s ashamed of you…
JayFor being a LIAR!
Mr. Armstrong’s face suddenly goes rigid with anger.
Mr. ArmstrongWatch your tone young man!
Mr. ArmstrongI’m still your father!
And Mr. Armstrong strides toward his son.
For a second, I worry things will get physical.
But Jay backs away.
JayYou can’t tell me what to do anymore!
JayYou have no right!
Mr. ArmstrongWhile you’re under my roof—
Jay— I’ll leave then.
JayToday!
JayYou’ll never see me again.
And then he leaves.
And Mr. Armstrong just stands there…
Watching him go.
After school, when I see Jay rush out his front door…
I race to intercept him.
RainaJay, wait!
JayNot now, Raina.
He adjusts his backpack and keeps walking.
But I’m determined…
So I hurry after him and grab his arm.
He easily shakes me off.
RainaPlease, just talk to me.
JayI can’t.
JayI gotta get out of here.
RainaBut where are you going to go?!
Jay scoffs.
JayI would say a friend’s house.
JayBut I don’t have many of those left.
My heart sinks…
And for a moment, I’m lost for words.
I did this.
I did this to him.
I ruined his life.
He continues on, impervious to my thoughts.
JayDoesn’t matter anyway.
JayAnywhere is better than here.
He keeps walking, but I grab his arm again.
I can’t let him go.
Not when everything is my fault.
But what can I do?!
As if in answer, I get a brilliant idea.
RainaStay in my pool house!
He doesn’t stop…
But his steps slow.
JayYour pool house?
RainaYes!
RainaIt has a bed and a bathroom…
RainaAnd I can bring you food and stuff.
He bites his lip, unsure.
JayI don’t know.
JayWhat about your parents?
I wave away his concern.
RainaThey won’t care, I promise.
RainaI’ll explain the situation…
RainaAnd I know they’ll understand.
RainaAnd besides…
RainaThey think “you’re such a good boy.”
RainaRemember?
He smiles a little at my joke.
RainaPlease?
RainaIt’s the least I can do.
If he only knew how true that was.
He turns to me, blows out a breath…
Then nods once.
Later that day…
RainaThere are extra blankets in the closet.
RainaAnd the TV has all the channels…
RainaSo you won’t get bored or anything.
He nods, but doesn’t respond.
The door opens…
And my mom wheels in a small fridge full of food.
MomMake yourself comfortable, sweetie.
Jay looks up sadly, but manages a smile for my mom.
He nods.
JayThanks Mrs. Sen.
She gives him a hug, and leaves.
We stand there in silence.
He looks miserable.
I rock back and forth on my feet…
Wishing I could do more.
But I sense he needs to be alone.
So even though I don’t want to…
I start backing away.
RainaI guess that’s it.
RainaIf you need anything, you know where to find me.
But just as I go to turn away…
He grabs my hand.
His thumb rubs the inside of my palm.
JayYour hands are freezing.
He takes both my hands in both of his and rubs them.
Sending a bolt of warmth up my arms.
He looks up at me, his gaze traveling across my face.
I smile at him.
RainaThanks.
JayThank you.
JayFor being there for me.
JayYou’re all I have left.
RainaIt’s nothing.
JayNo, Raina, it’s everything.
JayThe past two weeks have been the worst of my life.
JayI’ve lost my friends, my girlfriend, my father…
He entwines our fingers.
JayBut I found you again.
I melt at his words.
RainaJay…
JayAnd I don’t even deserve you.
JayAfter how I treated you the past three years…
JayYou should want nothing to do with me.
JayBut instead, here you are helping me…
JayWhen no one else will.
Because I love you.
I don’t say the words, of course.
JayEveryone else has lied to me.
JayEveryone but you.
JayYou’re the only person I trust.
Guilt tries to work its way back in…
But I forcefully shut it out.
It’s easy to do, when his eyes suddenly heat with passion.
JayAnd you’re the only person I want.
I feel a gentle tug on my hand…
And next thing I know…
I’m beside him on the couch.
JayPlease tell me you want this too.
JayThat you want…us.
My insides explode.
With joy, with relief, and sheer happiness.
RainaOf course I want you.
RainaBut…you just broke up with Summer.
He nods, understanding.
JayI know.
JayAnd despite what she did to me…
JayI don’t want to hurt her.
JayBut I don’t want to wait either.
JayFor now, we can keep things between us.
It’s what I’ve always wanted.
To be with Jay.
And I’m powerless to say no.
RainaAlright.
RainaIt can be our secret.
He gives me a lopsided smile…
Then sits back.
JayWell, goodnight then—
I move forward and kiss him.
Full on the lips.
He wasn’t expecting it…
But he responds instantly.
And then I lay back on the couch…
Reveling in the feel of him settling over me.
He wants me.
I want him…
And I don’t want to wait either.
So in the dark, with his body wrapped around mine…
I let go of all my guilt.
I don’t think about the locker, the pen, or anyone’s secrets…
I just think about him and me.
And it’s perfect.
JayHey you.
RainaHey yourself.
I turn from the locker I share with Briar…
And Jay’s there, hovering behind me.
I grin up at him, a secret smile…
And he smiles back.
JayYou look great in that dress.
I beam.
I’m wearing a dress I borrowed from Briar.
And high heels.
And for the first time in my life…
I feel beautiful.
My insides are glowing with warmth.
RainaThanks.
His lopsided smile lights his face.
And that smile is only for me.
The air between us is on fire…
And all I want to do is pull him into my arms.
But we’re at school…
And we’re supposed to be keeping things private.
But apparently Jay’s forgotten…
Because his hands are on my waist, pulling me closer.
RainaJay!
I laugh, swatting him away half-heartedly.
RainaSomeone might see.
JayI don’t care.
He buries his face in my neck, making me giggle.
I give in, pulling my chest flush with his.
Our lips connect at the same time…
And it feels like my life clicks into place.
I’m kissing Jay…
Right there…
In front of everyone…
At the cool kids’ lockers.
All my dreams have come true.
I feel a pair of eyes on me…
And turn my head.
Summer is standing there at her locker.
Alone.
She glances away as I look in her direction…
As if she’s afraid to make eye contact.
She looks like a wreck.
She’s wearing sweatpants and a dirty t-shirt…
And has dark circles under her eyes.
Her hair is a mess.
And the best part of all…
No one even seems to know she exists.
I laugh out loud.
Summer Hart has become invisible.
She takes a book and a banana out of her locker and shuts it.
She stands there, leaning against her locker, all alone.
She peels the banana slowly, and takes a bite…
And then starts to skulk away.
I don’t know what possesses me in that moment…
But as cold power courses through my veins…
I call out her name.
RainaHeyyy Summer…
She freezes, and turns around.
Jay pulls on my hand as I move toward her.
JayWhat are you doing?
I walk up to her in my heels, smiling sweetly.
Jay follows along reluctantly.
RainaWhy are you standing here all by yourself?
RainaDon’t you have any friends?
Summer looks up at me with sad eyes.
I’ve never seen her look so defeated…
So vulnerable.
It’s almost too easy.
RainaOh yeah, that’s righttttt.
RainaYou don’t.
RainaYou chased them all off.
RainaOr you slept with them.
I wrap my arms around Jay, and kiss him on the lips.
Jay looks uncomfortable, but he doesn’t fight it.
He kisses me back.
Summer doesn’t respond.
She just flicks her hair, turns around, and walks away.
I laugh.
RainaGod that felt good!
RainaI’ve waited years to put her in her place.
Jay pulls me away.
JayCome on, let’s go.
I start walking backward, still staring at Summer…
And laughing with glee…
When suddenly—
WHACK!
My heel catches on something…
And I trip on myself…
Falling flat on my face.
Jay helps me up.
JayAre you okay?
I brush off my dress.
My heel is broken.
And I banged my forehead against the lockers.
But I’m fine.
RainaYeah, I’m okay.
Until I see what I slipped on…
I bend down to pick it up.
It’s a banana peel.
And on the back is a note in Summer’s handwriting:
"Enjoy my sloppy seconds."
ARGHHHH!
I scream.
RainaThat *!!!
Jay holds me back.
JayLet it go!
I try to wriggle loose from Jay.
But he won’t let me out of his grasp.
JayCalm down, Raina!
RainaShe’ll never learn, Jay!
RainaNo matter what I do!
JayWhat are you talking about?
Just then, a cold wind sweeps by me.
And it makes me calm.
I take a deep breath.
And stop struggling.
Jay lets me go.
RainaSorry…
RainaI shouldn’t let her get to me like that.
I smile sweetly at Jay.
RainaWe’re together now.
RainaThat’s all that matters.
After a beat, Jay gives me a kiss on the cheek.
JayRight.
He turns and starts to walk toward class, my hand in his…
But I suddenly pull back.
JayWhat’s wrong?
RainaI erm…
RainaForgot something in my old locker.
I arch up on my toes and kiss him on the lips.
RainaSee you in class?
He looks at me a little funny, but nods.
JayI’ll save you a seat.
I stand there smiling sweetly until he’s out of sight.
Then I take off my heels…
And march barefoot to my magic locker…
Muttering to myself as I go.
RainaThat * is going to pay for this.
RainaI’m going to write her name in the locker…
RainaWith a big fat ‘X’ through it…
RainaAnd a heart too, for good measure…
RainaGod knows who else she’s screwed.
I laugh as I reach my locker.
RainaI’m going to ELIMINATE that skanky *…
RainaOnce and for all.
I open the locker door.
And reach into my backpack to grab my pen…
But my hand comes up empty.
The silver pen…
Is gone.
In a panic, I dump the contents of my backpack on the floor.
RainaWhere the **** is it?!
RainaI JUST had it—
Wait, when WAS the last time I had it?
When I wrote Mr. Armstrong’s name…
Right before the pep rally.
I put it in my backpack.
I KNOW I did.
What could have happened?
Where could it have gone?!
Did someone steal it?
The thought of someone else in possession of my pen sends me into a frenzy.
My head spins…
And the lockers feel like they’re closing in around me.
I take deep breaths and will myself to calm down.
RainaI’ll find it.
RainaIt has to be somewhere!
RainaIt—
ShellyWhat are you doing here?
I look up and into Shelly’s eyes.
Her foul smell makes me even angrier.
RainaNothing, leave me alone.
I rummage frantically through my old locker…
Looking all around the floor…
Then in my bag again…
But nothing.
I feel myself start to get hysterical.
ShellyDid you lose something?
RainaYES, I lost something!
RainaSomething very important!
ShellyMaybe I can help you find it.
ShellyWhat was it?
Ugh.
Her smell.
I ignore her…
And keep muttering to myself.
RainaI can’t believe this is happening.
I pull my hair.
RainaMy pen…
RainaIt’s gone.
Shelly steps closer to me.
ShellyDo you need to borrow one?
Her smell fills my nostrils…
And I’m about to lose my mind.
I can’t help it — I laugh.
RainaNo you idiot!
RainaIt can’t just be replaced.
RainaIt’s a very special pen!
RainaIt’s MY special pen.
I slide down my locker to the floor…
And put my head in my hands.
She looks at me like I’m crazy…
Then opens her own locker.
ShellyI’m sorry you lost it then.
I glance up at her…
And see her locker is stuffed full of random crap.
My eyes go wide.
I bet you she stole it!
I jump up, then shove her out of the way.
I start pulling stuff out of her locker and throwing it on the floor.
ShellyHey! What are you doing?!
RainaIt’s in here.
RainaI know it is!
RainaIt’s priceless, you thief!
RainaWhere is it?
RainaI know you’ve seen it!
RainaIt’s a silver pen, with swirls etched on the side…
She goes still.
I search her locker frantically…
But it’s not there.
I fall on the floor again and start sobbing.
For long moments, Shelly is quiet.
And when I look up, she’s gone.
I rock back and forth for I don’t know how long…
Until a cold wind sweeps by me.
I take a deep breath.
And feel a bit calmer again.
I start picking up my things from the floor around me and shoving them back in my bag.
RainaI’ll turn the school upside down…
RainaIt’s got to be in this building somewhere.
RainaI’ll start in homeroom.
RainaYeah, that’s a good idea.
RainaThen I’ll head to—
A shadow falls over me.
I look up, thinking it’s Smelly Shelly again.
But it’s Quinn.
She looks angry.
And then she says words that make my blood run cold.
QuinnI know your secret.
Quinn’s words ring in my ears.
She knows my secret?
Does she mean…
The magic locker?
How?!
There’s no way she could have figured it out.
And even if she did…
She’d never believe it.
It’s magic for god’s sake.
With that thought bolstering me…
I wipe all emotion from my face and stand to meet her.
I cross my arms and raise a brow.
RainaWhat secret?
But her eyes are hard, determined.
QuinnI know you’re the one behind all the revelations.
She points a finger at me.
QuinnYou’re the reason everyone’s been blurting out their secrets.
My pulse quickens in my throat…
But I don’t let my fear show.
I smirk.
RainaDon’t be ABSURD.
RainaYou think I have the truth serum?
RainaWhere would I even have gotten it?
RainaGet real, Quinn.
I jump when she stamps her foot.
QuinnGirl, look at your face!
QuinnLook at…all of you.
QuinnYou’re a WRECK.
QuinnAnd you’ve become more and more…
QuinnStrung out.
QuinnSince all this began.
QuinnI’ve been watching you the past few days…
QuinnAnd you’ve been acting weird.
QuinnI know you’re behind all this…
QuinnAnd I want you to tell me how.
I relax a bit.
She doesn’t know anything.
A smile spreads across my face.
My secret is safe.
I laugh.
RainaDon’t be silly, Quinn.
RainaYou said it yourself in your last article…
RainaWhoever’s behind the truth serum is targeting all the popular kids.
RainaAll the football players and cheerleaders…
RainaWhy on earth would I do that…
RainaWhen I’m dating the quarterback?
JayWhat’s going on here?
We both jump at the sound of Jay’s voice.
I turn around to see him frowning at me.
RainaJay?
RainaWhy aren’t you in class?
JayYou never showed.
JayI wanted to make sure you were alright.
He looks between Quinn and me.
JayIs everything okay?
Quinn speaks before I can.
QuinnNo! Everything is most definitely NOT okay!
QuinnRaina’s been tricking everyone into revealing their secrets!
Jay blinks at her in surprise.
Then he slowly turns to me.
JayUhh…what is she talking about?
I try and get ahold of the situation.
RainaNothing.
RainaLet’s get to class.
He reluctantly starts to follow…
But Quinn’s voice stops him short.
QuinnJay, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed Raina acting weird lately?
QuinnShe’s…changed.
I try to pull Jay along…
But he doesn’t move.
Seeing she has his attention…
Quinn starts listing her evidence against me.
QuinnEver since all this truth-telling began…
QuinnRaina’s been acting weird.
QuinnAnd, I know for a fact she’s been near each victim…
QuinnEvery time a secret was revealed.
QuinnAnd she even predicted a couple before they happened!
RainaDo you even hear yourself right now?!
RainaYou sound insane!
But Quinn can’t be stopped.
QuinnMe, Ms. Akins, Briar, Vivi, Peter, Marcus, Mr. Armstrong!
QuinnShe was present for every single one!
Jay turns to me…
His gaze contemplative and wary.
I know he’s thinking about that day in the hallway.
The day he blurted out his own secret.
I was there for his, too.
And he knows it.
JayBut…how would she be doing it?
JayIt doesn’t make sense.
RainaExactly!
RainaThis is all crazy talk!
But they’re not paying attention to me anymore.
QuinnI locked eyes with her just before I told everyone about my piercing.
QuinnAnd did you see how she jumped to get your dad’s attention?!
QuinnIt’s like she wanted him to look at her!
Jay starts nodding.
JayIt happened to me, too.
JayI locked eyes with her…
JayAnd then the words just came out.
JayLike I had no control over them.
JayIt was so weird!
QuinnThat’s exactly what I felt!
QuinnI’m telling you Jay, she’s behind this somehow!
I appeal to Jay, my voice desperate.
RainaJay, come on!
RainaI’ve got nothing to do with this!
He doesn’t respond.
Just pretends he doesn’t hear me.
It’s like the past three years all over again…
Like I’m not even there.
A cold wind stings my face.
I start shivering uncontrollably.
Quinn shoots me a look filled with determination.
QuinnWe’re going to figure this out.
QuinnRight here, right now.
RainaWho’s we?
She suddenly looks over my shoulder and waves her arm forward.
I turn around, and my jaw drops.
Briar, Vivi, Marcus, Peter…and Summer.
They walk toward us, all of them staring at me.
Their gazes are filled with accusation.
QuinnI told everyone to meet me here during class.
QuinnJay, I would have told you too…
QuinnBut I didn’t know you were one of her victims.
I thought I was panicked earlier…
But now my whole body runs cold.
I should move.
I should run…
But I’m frozen with fear.
It’s like facing each of my sins all at once.
Vivi steps forward first.
ViviWe heard everything, scrub!
ViviIf you’re behind this, you’re going to pay!
Briar joins her, her eyes narrowed with hatred.
BriarHow did you do it, Raina?
BriarDid you drug us or something?!
Peter and Marcus don’t say anything…
But their anger is palpable…
Rolling off them in waves.
RainaI…I…
Everyone suddenly starts talking at once.
About how they locked eyes with me right beforehand.
About how they lost control.
About how their secrets tumbled out, unbidden.
Their voices grow louder, more fervent…
Until I can’t even hear myself think.
I have to do something.
I have to stop this.
RainaYOU’VE ALL GONE NUTS!
RainaDo you even hear yourselves!?
RainaYeah, I was there! So what?!
RainaSo were a lot of other people!
RainaYou can’t—
But just then…
A bell rings through the halls.
I freeze.
We all stare at each other for a second…
Wondering why it’d be going off during class.
But then there’s a sound from behind me…
And my locker door swings open.
Shelly comes out, looking stricken.
I gasp when I see what’s in her hand…
It’s my pen.
And then, I meet her gaze.
My eyes grow wide as they lock with hers.
The truth hits me in a nanosecond.
She must have written my—
A cold wind sweeps by me.
My mouth contorts out of my control and I hear myself start to speak—
RainaI wrote each of your names in my magic locker…
RainaSo you would reveal your secrets to the entire school.
I slap a hand over my mouth…
As if I can somehow shove the words back inside.
But it’s too late.
My secret is out.
A million feelings rush through me at once.
Because now I know how it feels.
To be forced to say something you didn’t want to say.
And it doesn’t feel good.
Shelly walks toward me on wobbly legs…
Holding the pen in front of her face.
ShellyIt worked!
ShellyIt actually worked!
ShellyThe…the locker wall…
ShellyThis pen…
ShellyAll your names…
ShellyThey’re written in her locker…
ShellyAnd they’re glowing!
For a moment, no one says anything.
They’re torn between staring at me—
— Still stunned at what I said—
And at Shelly, who looks like she’s seen a ghost.
Quinn’s expression is full of skepticism when she steps forward.
QuinnGirl, what are you saying?
QuinnWhat do you mean our names are glowing?
Shelly stares at everyone in turn.
ShellyThis pen!
ShellyI found it on the floor near my locker the other day…
ShellyThis is the secret…to all the secrets.
ShellyI’ve been watching Raina.
ShellyI saw her going inside her locker a lot with this pen.
ShellyI didn’t realize what she was doing at first…
ShellySo I decided to go in and see for myself!
ShellyShe’s been writing everyone’s name on her locker wall…
ShellyAnd somehow…the locker has been forcing confessions!
ShellyI wrote her name just now!
ShellyTo test it out…
ShellyAnd it worked.
ShellyShe confessed!
I let out a hysterical laugh.
RainaGuys, don’t listen to Smelly Shelly.
RainaShe’s insane!
RainaI didn’t mean what I said — I was just kidding!
Everyone ignores me.
Marcus scratches his head, confused.
MarcusHow could writing a name on a wall force people to say things?!
Shelly stares into the distance.
ShellyIt must be because of Aunt Eleanor.
I freeze.
Aunt Eleanor?!
ShellyThis is the locker she died in.
Quinn’s face lights up.
QuinnOh my god.
QuinnYou’re related to her?!
Shelly nods.
ShellyShe was my aunt.
She holds up the pen.
ShellyThis was Aunt Eleanor’s pen.
She twists it around and points to it.
ShellySee. Her name is etched onto the side!
ShellyI bet this is the pen she used to write her killers’ names inside the locker…
ShellyRight before she died.
She turns to the crowd.
ShellyWhen the bell rang on the day she was found…
ShellyThe girls who put her in there spontaneously confessed their secret!
ShellyJust like what’s been happening to all of you!
The crowd gasps.
ShellyRaina’s been using this pen…
ShellyTo force you all to reveal your secrets!
PeterOkay, okay hold on…
PeterWhat is Smelly Shelly trying to say?
PeterThat the locker and the pen are magic?
PeterForcing people to tell the truth?
PeterI’m sorry but, that’s bull****.
RainaThat’s what I’ve been trying to say!
Shelly crosses her arms.
ShellySee for yourselves!
ShellyThe locker is literally glowing.
ShellyAnd all your names are there!
Shelly points at me.
It’s like a scene from a horror movie playing out in front of my eyes.
I can only stand there and watch…
As one by one, everyone goes into my locker.
I want to stop them.
I want to run away and pretend this isn’t happening.
But I can’t.
There’s nothing I can do.
Everything is crashing down around me…
And I can’t stop it.
Some gasp when they see the glowing names.
Vivi scowls at the heart around hers.
Others shriek in horror, in disbelief.
But Jay…he says nothing.
When he steps out of my locker…
His face is shuttered.
Etched with a mix of betrayal and disgust.
At me.
For me.
And I know I’ve lost him.
There’s a sense of incredulity in the air.
Theories fly back and forth…
As if no one can believe what they’re seeing.
But the truth is literally written on the wall.
And then all at once…
They turn to me.
And I shrink in on myself.
Everyone starts shouting at once.
BriarYou humiliated me, Raina!
ViviYou destroyed my friendship with Summer!
PeterYou ruined my life!
MarcusWhat Summer and I did was none of your business!
I jump as each of them shout at me.
I try to find a friendly face.
But Quinn and Shelly are both glaring.
And Jay’s back is to me…
As if he can’t even get himself to look in my direction.
My head spins as all the people I’ve outed over the past few weeks…
Close in on me.
They pick me up…
Shove me into my old locker…
And shut me inside.
I look up to see all the names I’ve written…
Glowing harshly down at me.
The glow chills my bones…
And I shiver.
I jiggle the latch…
But it won’t open.
I bang on the door.
RainaLet me out!
Silence.
I bang harder…
And start to scream at the top of my lungs.
RainaIT’S NOT TRUE!
RainaIt wasn’t me!
RainaLet me out, please!
RainaI didn’t do anything…
I start to sob.
RainaI didn’t do anything wrong.
I bang harder.
RainaLET ME OUT OF HERE!!!
And then I grow angry.
RainaYOU ALL DESERVED IT!!!
RainaYOU'RE EVIL…ALL OF YOU.
RainaI HATE YOU ALLLLL!!!!!
I start shoving my body against the locker door…
RainaLET ME OUT OF HERE OR I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!!!!
Then all of a sudden…
WHAM.
The locker door swings open and I spill out into the hallway.
I look up to see who rescued me…
And my entire body goes ice-cold.
It’s Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. ArmstrongIn my office, now.