"When he kissed me it was like fireworks exploded in my stomach." I gushed, watching Evelyn's face morph from excitement to love, "That is so freaking cute!" She squealed, "I'm so happy for you guys." 

We were walking to lunch and I had told her the whole story all when we saw each other in the halls and we were texting non-stop through our fourth period class. Lets just say now, she hates Zach.

"So what happens now?" Evelyn asked as we pushed open the doors to the cafeteria. I shrugged my shoulders, "I have no idea." 

I glanced up at the menu board scribbled messily in chalky handwriting, "Ew tuna pasta again? It tastes like feet." Evelyn whined, "Just get the salad." 

I grabbed a tray and slid it along the metal barriers, grabbing a salad that looked just as sad as the ladies serving it, "I wish the school would invest in actual school food instead of week old bread and mould-y spinach." Evelyn fake gagged.

I paid for my food and we found a round table near the back of the cafeteria, away from the crowd.

"So, tell me again. How was the kiss!" She placed her chin on her hands and looked at me lovingly, "I already told you-" I giggled, but was interrupted by two other bodies colliding at the table, "What are you lovely ladies talking about?" Mason boomed, nudging Evelyn. 

"Nothing." I said quickly, moving my food around my plate.

James sat opposite me, a massive grin on his face, "Hey." He said sheepishly. I nodded in his direction, chewing my food. 

Evelyn was right, this is disgusting!

+ + + 

"Are you guys ready for history?" Mason sighed, "We have a quiz next week." He grumbled, "Wait, we do?" I asked, Mason nodded. 

"Shit. Can we do a study group?" Everyone nodded in agreement.

The second bell rang and I realised we were late as we hurried to our history class, the door already shut when we got there.

Crap. Knocking slowly, Miss Brickerely came out looking more than annoyed, "First you come late, then you disrupt my class? Come on guys, seriously?" 

I hung my head, "I'm sorry Miss Brickerely." 

She sighed, "Guys, I don't know how this friendship started and don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're all friends, but this secretiveness needs to stop, last warning and you've all got detention, understood?" 

I had never seen Miss Brickerely so angry before.

"What crawled up her ass and died?" Mason whispered in my ear. I covered my snort with a cough as I trotted quickly into class, taking my designated seat.

Halfway through class my stomach grumbled loudly and I felt my cheeks get hot as a few people stared at me. Thankfully the classroom was doing group work so there was quiet chatter.

I was so hungry I couldn't remember how to spell the word 'flirtatious', because apparently that's relevant to the history quiz next week.

James
Wanna grab food after school?

I looked down at my phone, smiling at the message.

Me
Can't, got therapy :(

James
I'll drive u. I can hear ur stomach from here lol

I felt my heart rate pick up as I sent back an 'ok' and switched off my phone, counting down the minutes until I got food, and to spend time with James!

And as soon as the bell rang that signalled the end of class, my mood was instantly better.

"So, where are we going?" James asked me. "Not the milkshake shop." I snorted, "How about the diner again? I could kill for some waffle fries right now." 

James nodded, "The diner it is." 

I walked alongside James, feeling another person fall into step with me, "Sofia." 

I didn't recognise the voice, but my breath hitched when I saw who it was. 

James grabbed my hand and pulled me back, his face morphing into anger, "Fuck off Zach." James said calmly, his eyes dead-set on Zach.

"I need to talk to Sofia." He pleaded, "Too bad. You talk to both of us or not at all." 

Zach snorted, "Is she your bitch James? Sorry, she came onto me man." 

James clenched his fists, tightening his grip around my hand and I tugged on his sleeve, "It's okay. I'll be fine." I smiled, reassuring myself more than him.

Besides, what's Zach going to do if James is standing right there?

I walked a little in front of James just enough so he could still see me, but not hear me, "What do you want?" I clutched my books in front of me, creating a barrier.

Zach looked side to side before speaking, "Whoever you got to text me last night is not cool." He said in a whisper-like voice, "What are you talking about?"

He pulled out his phone, showing me an unknown number.

My face paled and I felt sick to my stomach. I recognise that number!

555-345-987
Apologise to Sofia or these photos get leaked.

There was a link underneath it and I so wished to click on it.

"Okay Zach listen to me, I have no idea who sent that text but- you have to be careful okay?" I warned, words scrambling in my brain as I thought about what to say, "You don't get to tell me what to do. Back off okay? And your stupid friends too." 

He was about to walk off but I grabbed his wrists, "Seriously. Whoever this is is not fucking playing alright? I don't have to look out for you but I am. So be careful." I hissed. Zach seemed to take my seriously because he nodded and walked off.

James rushed to my side, not before glaring at Zach before walking off.

"So, what happened?" 

I breathed out the breath I was holding, "We need to call the others right now!"

+ + + 

"Wait so, Zach got a text too?" Mason questioned. I nodded, "Yep. It was the exact same number. And it said apologise to Sofia or these photos get leaked. And then there was a link."

I dipped my last waffle fry into my ketchup before pushing away the dish, "Insane." 

I can't believe they're targeting innocent people now. Well, Zach's not exactly innocent but no one should have to go through this, not even him.

"And he didn't apologise. Cheeky pig." I insulted, rolling my eyes.

I managed to glance at the time on the wall clock and my eyes widened, "Shit, I have to go." I scrambled for my stuff and hopped out of the booth, popping a tip and my half on the table.

"Bye guys. I'll text you." 

James was hot on my tail, not before opening the car door for me and winking, before running round to his side.

I had six minutes to get there and it was four minutes away, I should be alright, right?

The car ride was silent as we pulled into the empty parking lot, "That's weird. There's usually a lot more cars." I said to myself.

"Hey can you do me a favor?" I asked, "Anything." 

"Can you wait for five minutes? It doesn't look like anyone's here." He nodded, "Of course." 

I jumped out of the car, walking up the concrete steps to the building. I opened the door and it was unlocked, but there was no one inside. 

Hmm, weird.

Cautiously, I took a step forward. Parading down the empty hallways and knocking on every door I can. Why the hell is there no one here? 

I stopped outside Dr Tresel's office, screaming when I saw a red puddle under the door. I scrambled to open the door, not caring if I'm breaking and entering. 

The door cracked open and I scanned the room, calming down when I saw it was just spilled ink. However, the writing on the wall told me otherwise.

I told you to be careful 

Was written in thick red ink, I hope. Dripping down the walls.

I took a trembling step back, screaming in fear when my back pressed into something, "It's okay!" James yelled, my wide eyes pleading with anxiety. 

"You'd been gone awhile, I wanted to make sure you're okay." He said breathlessly, "Apparently not, where the hell is everyone?" 

I shook my head, "I have no fucking idea." 

+ + +