Chapter 9

The next day, Sara was the first to arrive in class. She didn’t want the unnecessary attention the other students gave her. To be honest, she had always wanted to be like Cara, but she wasn’t ready to handle this kind of pressure just yet.

That morning, most of the students were already absent, and Sara nervously opened her locker, half-expecting to find something frightening but there was nothing. She remembered how Cara had acted when she gave her the note; it had seemed strange for someone who hadn’t done anything wrong. She brushed it off with a sigh.

“That’s your sister, dummy,” she muttered to herself. “Of course, there’s someone jealous of her!”

She sat on the locker and opened the notes. Cara hadn’t even bothered to copy them properly, and her handwriting was messy. Sara sighed, shaking her head.

Claire was the second to arrive in class. The moment she saw Sara, panic washed over her, and she tried to hide. Sara felt a twinge of guilt. Is she acting like this because of yesterday? she wondered. Claire sat at her desk, clearly trying not to look at Sara, and the effort was almost painful to watch.

All the students were shocked when they saw Sara as the first one in class. Even Claire seemed taken aback. The girls quickly surrounded her.

“Today you came first! You didn’t even give us a chance to see your outfit,” one of them squealed. “And your new bag we all missed that!”

Sara sighed. What was she supposed to reply?

Before she could answer, a gang of girls Maya included stormed in.

“Get away! It’s early, and you’re all shielding her up like that. Do you even smell good?” Maya scolded, sniffing at them.

The girls quickly muttered excuses and ran to their seats.

“Ohhh, the traffic was horrible! My hands hurt from the steering wheel,” Maya complained as she sat down. Then, turning to Sara, she asked, “By the way, why are you so early?”

“I was stressed at home, so I decided to come early,” Sara admitted, trying to explain the pressure she had felt.

Maya looked concerned. “I hope you’re feeling better now,” she said gently, and Sara nodded in response.

“And by the way,” Maya added, “next week we’re going for Kate’s memorial ceremony.”

Before Sara could process what she had just heard, Maya got a call and left.

Kate? Sara wondered, puzzled. She didn’t know who Kate was, but she didn’t bother dragging the thought any longer.

Later, during a class break, Sara sat alone on the pitch, away from the other students, trying to clear her mind. Suddenly, she felt hands on her face.

The hands smelled like fresh roses. When Sara looked up, it was Henry, smiling as always.

“Hey, Butter,” he said warmly.

Sara immediately shifted her position. She didn’t want to act stiff, but at the same time, she wasn’t comfortable getting too close to her boyfriend’s sister.

“How did you know I was here?” she asked hesitantly.

“Uh… of course,” he replied, grinning. “Everyone knows where you are, Mrs. Popular. Someone told me you were around.”

Sara forced a small smile.

“I was looking for you to tell you that we’re having a dinner at home with some friends,” he continued, his voice gentle. “Since you’ve been sick and we haven’t been hanging out much, can you come with me? If they see you with me, they won’t stay long… Please, come and be with me.”

He poured the words out sweetly, as if every syllable was meant just for her.

She looked at him he was so sweet, so kind it was impossible to say no. Before she could refuse, she found herself nodding.

“Okay, I’ll see you tonight… I’ll send someone to pick you up,” he said.

She nodded, but a wave of fear crept in. What if my cover is blown?

He pecked her quickly on the cheek, and for some reason, the touch made her stomach twist. Then he ran off.

For the rest of the class she attended , Sara couldn’t focus. Anxiety gnawed at her, twisting her thoughts.

When the bell finally rang, she was the first to leave. She didn’t even say goodbye to Maya, who watched her go, confused. What’s up with her? Why is she so tense?

Sara didn’t wait for the driver she had booked she ran straight to Cara.

“What’s up with you?” Cara asked, noticing her panting and tense.

“Henry asked me to go with him to a party at his house… with his friends,” Sara admitted, her voice trembling. “But I’m afraid… I don’t think I can go.”

Cara sighed and wheeled herself closer to her. “Why not? Aren’t you Cara Johnson?” she said with a teasing firm smile. “Of course you have to go.”