Maggie’s face lit up.

“I’ve never used Public Access Surveillance before, but I’m sure I could figure it out,” she gabbed. “I’m surprised you two even know about the P.A.S Act!”

“Oh, yeah… of course.” Jessa shrugged at Flynn, who had clearly never heard of it either. Jessa was just relieved that Maggie knew a way to make Flynn’s idea a reality.

“I can investigate on the computer tonight. I’ll get back to you tomorrow. But perhaps more importantly, did you all get the email notification about end-of-year exams?”

“I’m sorry, did you just say that exams are more important?” Jessa gibed.

“Jessa, some of us still want to get good grades,” Maggie said pointedly.

“I haven’t checked my email for a few days, so I didn’t see anything,” Annora reached into the bag of crisps that she and Tonia were sharing. “But I thought exams aren’t until May?”

“Yes, and it’s already March!” Maggie exclaimed. “Don’t tell me none of you have started revising yet?” She looked around the lunch table at her four friends, who all said nothing. “Have you even made a revision schedule?” Maggie’s eyebrows practically relocated two inches north of her eyes.

Jessa looked sideways at Flynn, who was trying not to laugh, but his sideways smile was creeping further and further up his lips. Jessa couldn’t save herself from doing the same, which tipped Flynn over the edge as he and Jessa snorted with laughter at Maggie’s expense.

“Having fun in our geek squad meeting today, are we?” Cecily sneered, framed by Devi Kapoor and Amelia Waters.

“Yes, thanks for your concern,” Annora retorted.

Cecily kept her eyes locked on Jessa. Her thumb flicked at the top of a lighter, inviting the flame to lick upward seductively. After a few seconds, Jessa felt the familiar heat taunting the skin of her palms.

Cecily turned, swishing her long black hair over her shoulders.

“Come on, ladies,” she instructed, and the other two followed.

“Ugh,” Jessa shuddered noticeably.

“You okay?” said Flynn.

“Yeah,” said Jessa. “She just… keeps doing this thing to me.”

“What do you mean?” Maggie leaned forward. Her eyebrows had migrated back down south.

“She does this thing where she makes my hands burn.”

“Are you serious?” asked Tonia. “She’s been flame-trolling you?”

“Yeah,” Jessa said sheepishly, noticing Maggie’s eyes gleaming with concern.

“Man, that’s a dirty trick,” Tonia shook her head.

“I cannot believe you kept that from us!” Maggie tried and failed to keep her voice down. “And I can’t believe you’d let her get away with that, Jessa! That behaviour is completely unacceptable!”

“How long has it been happening?” Flynn said calmly.

“A few times. The first was in that parapsych skills lesson with the candles.”

“We should tell Mr Fletcher immediately,” Maggie folded her arms. “I can’t imagine why you kept this to yourself.”

“I didn’t think it was that big a deal—I just thought she was being a bitch. And I don’t want to tell Mr Fletcher.”

Maggie frowned. “Cecily shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this. Why don’t you want to tell?”

“I was hoping to just keep it between us and Cecily.”

Maggie’s face tightened. “Why is your instinct always to fight alone? Teachers have authority here, Jessa, not you. Why can’t you let them handle it?”

Jessa’s eyes narrowed at Maggie.

She doesn’t understand.

“I mean, really, Jessa,” Maggie continued. “This is a prime example of bullying, and it’s not up to you to teach Cecily a lesson. Especially after what she did to you at the museum.”

She thinks she knows.

She has no idea.

“We could easily go to Mr Fletcher or Dr Mortlock and get Cecily expelled for the things she’s done and said to you.”

I don’t care how irrational they think I am. I know what I saw.

If Cecily is involved with Silas Lynch, it’s better to keep her around.

Keep your enemies close, they say.

Jessa looked at Flynn and remembered their conversation at his flat. How quickly he'd dismissed her idea that Cecily could be connected to Silas. How he'd told her to stop.

Stop what? Stop trying to help? Stop trying to solve a crime? Do they just have no faith in me whatsoever?

Wait. Just breathe.

Keep quiet.

Be cool.

“You’re right, Mags,” Jessa said. “I’ll think about telling a teacher.”

Maggie’s hands visibly relaxed.

“But I’ll do it by myself. Don’t worry.”