LOGINI left the library with Ethan's words ringing in my ears.Jake agreed to help me.I couldn't make sense of it.Jake had told me he noticed me before the breakup.He had told me he cared about me.He had told me he loved me.But now I was wondering how much of our story had really been mine.I found him outside the school gates.The moment he saw my face, his smile disappeared.“Emma?”I stopped in front of him.“Did you help Ethan break up with me?”He froze.That was all the answer I needed.“You did.”“Emma, listen to me.”“No.”I held up the photograph.“Explain this.”He looked at it.His face went pale.“Where did you get that?”“Chloe.”He closed his eyes.“Of course.”“So it's true?”“Yes.”My heart cracked.“You lied to me again.”“I didn't lie.”“You hid it!”“I was going to tell you.”“When?”He had no answer.I laughed bitterly.“That's what everyone says.”“Emma, please.”“No. You promised me there would be no more secrets.”“I know.”“Then why?”He stepped closer.“Becaus
I couldn't forget Chloe's smile.It followed me all the way home.It wasn't the smile of someone who had just lost.It was the smile of someone who knew a secret.And that scared me more than her anger ever had.I sat on my bed, staring at my phone.No new messages.For once, there was silence.I should have been relieved.Instead, I felt uneasy.My phone buzzed.Jake: Did you get home safely?I smiled.Me: Yes.A second message appeared.Jake: Good. I was worried.I typed a reply.Me: You worry too much.His response came immediately.Jake: Only about you.I smiled at the screen.Then another message appeared.Unknown: Enjoy him while you can.My smile vanished.I stared at the message.Before I could respond, another arrived.Unknown: Tomorrow. Library. Come alone.My heart started pounding.I should have ignored it.I knew that.But curiosity won.I replied.Me: Who are you?Three dots appeared.Then disappeared.No answer.I locked my phone.Whatever was happening, I was tired of
I barely slept.The message kept replaying in my head.Ask him about the night he first saw you.I had already asked Jake about the party.He had admitted that he'd noticed me before we officially met.But apparently, there was more.And now I needed to know what it was.The next morning, I found Jake waiting near the school entrance.He smiled when he saw me.“Good morning.”“Morning.”He reached for my hand.I let him take it.But he immediately noticed something was wrong.“What happened?”I looked at him.“Did you get another message?”He shook his head.“No.”“Someone sent me one last night.”His expression changed.“What did they say?”I showed him my phone.He read the message carefully.His jaw tightened.“Someone is watching us.”“I know.”“I'm sorry.”“You didn't do this.”“I know, but—”I interrupted him.“Jake, I need you to answer one question.”“Okay.”“When did you first notice me?”He stared at me.“Before the party.”“I know.”“No. I mean before that.”I frowned.“Wha
I couldn't stop thinking about the note.You trust Jake because you don't know what he did for Ethan.The words followed me through every class.Even when I tried to focus on the teacher, my mind kept returning to them.What had Jake done?Why had Ethan chosen him?And why did everyone seem to know something I didn't?When the final bell rang, I packed my books quickly.I needed answers.But before I could leave, someone slipped a hand into mine.I looked up.Jake.“Hey.”“Hey.”He studied my face.“You've been quiet all day.”“I've been thinking.”“About the note?”I nodded.He sighed.“I understand.”“Do you?”“Yes.”“Then tell me what you know.”His expression became serious.“I've told you everything I remember.”“Everything?”“As far as I know.”I searched his eyes.I wanted to believe him.“I don't want secrets anymore.”“You won't get any.”He squeezed my hand.“Come with me.”“Where?”“You'll see.”Jake led me away from the school.We walked several blocks before stopping outs
Jake stared at his phone.I stared at him.Neither of us spoke.“Jake,” I said quietly. “What did you see that night?”He looked away.“I don't know how to explain it.”“Try.”He slipped his phone into his pocket.“Before the party, I saw Ethan arguing with someone.”“Who?”“I couldn't see her face.”“Her?”He nodded.“I heard her say your name.”My stomach tightened.“My name?”“Yes.”“Why would someone be talking about me?”“I didn't know.”I stepped closer.“What happened next?”“Ethan walked away. The girl followed him.”“And you?”“I stayed behind.”“Why?”“Because I was curious.”I raised an eyebrow.“You were spying?”“Basically.”Despite everything, I almost smiled.“And what did you hear?”Jake hesitated.“The girl told Ethan that you needed to stay away from him.”My smile disappeared.“What else?”“She said if he didn't end things with you, you'd regret it.”I felt cold.“That's the threat.”Jake nodded.“But there was something strange.”“What?”“She wasn't angry.”I frown
The bell rang, but none of us moved.I couldn't stop thinking about what Ethan had said.The party.The night I first met Jake.I had always remembered it as an ordinary night.Now I wasn't so sure.“Where do we start?” I asked.Ethan looked at Jake.“You remember the house?”Jake nodded.“Ryan's place.”“Then let's go there.”I frowned.“Now?”“It might help us remember what happened.”Jake looked at me.“Are you sure?”“No.”I took a breath.“But I need answers.”After school, the three of us walked to Ryan's house.It was only a few streets away.When we arrived, Ryan was outside shooting basketball.He stopped when he saw us.“What's going on?”Ethan stepped forward.“We need to ask you about the party last year.”Ryan frowned.“Which party?”“The one in October.”His eyes widened.“Oh.”I looked at him.“What?”He lowered the basketball.“That party?”“Yes.”“Why?”I glanced at Jake.“I'm trying to remember something.”Ryan looked confused.“About what?”“The night I met Jake.”R







