"Why- what are you doing here, Tobi?" I asked as I took her in, my hand resting on the doorknob.

She looked like she'd sprinted to my house due to her flustered state. Her black braids were messily tied into a low ponytail and a thin layer of sweat covered her face. Her red backpack was slung over her shoulder, contrasting her all blue outfit. Ironic considering I was feeling pretty blue. She looked at me nervously.

"It's super urgent, Chloe." Tobi insisted, stepping forward. My hand didn't move from the doorknob as I examined her.

"If it's about the Instagram post, I don't want to hear it." I told her firmly. Then something occurred to me. "And I thought we weren't supposed to interact in public anymore?" I added, thinking back to a while ago.

"I can't explain everything now." Tobi told me in a pleading tone. "But I think its best we don't speak much anymore. At least, in public."

Tobi nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah, it's about the Instagram post. And we weren't supposed to interact, but this is seriously important."

I shook my head, my feet shuffling. "Look, Tobi-"

"I think I know who's behind the post." Tobi interrupted, staring at me. I searched her face for any signs that she was bluffing. I found none.

I stepped aside, silently inviting her in. Once she'd entered I locked the door and leas her to the living room, where she sat on the couch. I opened the curtains to let some light inside before joining Tobi, all with a nervous feeling inside me.

Tobi waited for me to face her and we made eye contact. "You know who did it?" I asked quietly. She shook her head.

"I have suspicions, a certain person in mind." She corrected, untying her braids so they sprung loose. "But we have to cross out a few names first."

I reared back slightly. "Wait, hold on. Why are you helping me? I assumed we weren't friends anymore." I asked.

Tobi sat quietly, thinking of her response. Finally, she turned to me. "Chloe, I promise I will explain everything later. For now, we need to focus on the task at hand, which is figuring out who did this to you. I need you to trust me and believe I'm here to help you, which I am. Can you do that?"

I bit my lip, staring at her while my mind ran at an alarming speed. Tobi was ambiguous and her intentions unknown, but we had been close friends throughout middle school. And she was one of the smartest people I knew. Maybe she could help me? I had no clue where to even start.

"Alright." I conceded, and she smiled. "But you have to answer all my questions later, deal?"

"Deal." She nodded, grabbing her bag pack. While she did so I glanced at the time. I calculated that I'd only slept for just over thirty minutes, so there was a while to go for lunch.

"Right." Tobi said, laying out papers on the coffee table before us. I watched her curiously as she picked out one and a pen. At a closer look I saw there were names of all my friends on it.

"Wow, going full out are we?" I joked, impressed and slightly creeped out. Tobi shrugged.

"I go full out in everything I do." She responded, then adjusting her position so I could see the list better.

"As you can see, I have a list of everyone in your friendship group. Out of all these people, did you tell any of them about what happened in Australia?" Tobi asked, watching me curiously. I nodded.

"Only John and Benjamin." I answered. "Separately."

"Cool, we can start there. Let's start with Benjamin." She crossed on leg over the other. "You guys are pretty tight, huh?"

I smiled slightly. "Yeah, we're kind of seeing each other. He's great."

"So you don't think it's him?" She asked and I shook my head.

"Not a chance." I replied vehemently. "He wouldn't do that to me."

Tobi leaned back coolly, folding her arms. "Proof?"

"Sure." I mimicked her position as I thought. "One, there's no motive. I haven't got the slightest clue on what he would get from posting that. Two, at the time it posted we were together, and he was asleep. I only discovered the post because his friends were blowing up their group chat on his phone. How could he post it with me there and I wouldn't notice?"

"He could have posted it while you were asleep then pretend to be asleep also." She pointed out and I made a face.

"Not possible. I fell asleep after him due to my... distress, and I'm a light sleeper. We were so close that the slightest movement from him would wake me up. Benji is in the clear." I finished and Tobi nodded picking up the paper.

"Alright, we'll cross him off for now. Okay, that leaves John. Do you think it's him?" She asked. I bit my cheeks and clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. Thinking about John caused too much pain right now.

"I'd hope not, but there could be motive." I took a deep breath before summarising everything that had gone down with John. The bet, the conversation I'd heard between him, Ian and Cyrus and the betrayal I felt.

Once I was finished Tobi didn't look too surprised. "I always thought it was odd how he was so hostile to you then friendly." She commented. "But that sucks majorly. He could be a suspect."

I shrugged. "I don't think so. He called off the bet, knowing that he'd have to risk his life in the ambush. Why then do this Instagram post?"

"Maybe as an alternative for breaking your heart like they agreed?" Tobi suggested.

"I dunno, he seemed really decisive in calling off the bet. " I defended, thinking back to that night. "He said I deserve the world."

"Yet he gave you hell." Tobi deadpanned. "You looked like you're being strangled when you speak about him."

"Let's move on then." Was my uncomfortable response. "He could have told Cyrus or Ian? But they don't know me personally and what is there to gain from doing that?"

"True." Tobi nodded. "Let's cross him out for now, but he's the prime suspect at the moment. Apart from the person I have in mind." She saw my face because she added on: "We'll discuss that later."

For the next forty minutes we went through the list. It consisted of Maya, Teresa, Melissa, Elijah, Cory and Brock. None of them seemed to be suspicious.

We both sat back on the couch, staring ahead blankly. I turned to the side to look at her. "So, it's none of them from what we discussed. The only real suspect if John, but even that is questionable. So, can I finally know who you have in mind?"

Tobi stood up, stretching. She turned to me, apprehension evident on her face.

"Remember, this is just a theory. I'm not certain."

"Go on Tobi."

"I think its Taylor."

My eyebrows rose. It was quiet as I took the accusation in. "Why?"

Tobi came back to sit next to me. She rested her folded hands on her knees. "To understand why, I need to explain some things to you first. So get comfortable."

I glanced at the clock in the corner of my room. "Just so you know, Benji will be leaving school at two. So that gives us less than an hour to finish up here."

"I won't take long." Tobi promised. She took a deep breath before launching into her story.

"So, I've been a double agent since this school year started. I befriended Taylor because I was curious to see if she was as horrible as everyone thought she was, or if she just needed a positive influence like me to help her out. Soon we became close friends and her distaste towards you became clearer. I made it my mission to look out for you as well through being friends with her, as ever since you returned I could tell something had happened to you, something bad. I had to distance myself from you so Taylor wouldn't get suspicious, but I was looking out for you this whole time."

My mouth dropped open. "That's insane." I declared.

"We haven't reached the insane bit yet." Tobi told me with an apprehensive look. "Taylor is, or rather was under the impression that you and Brock liked each other romantically. So, she saw you as competition."

My nose wrinkled. "Me and Brock? Not in a million years."

Tobi shrugged. "She didn't know that. That's the main reason why she has an issue with you. She sees you as competition. And what do you do with competition?"

The puzzles started to fit together in my head. "You take it out..."

"Exactly." Tobi nodded. "Her and Alyssa discussed ways to do that, and to get Brock to like Taylor. This is why I think she's behind this Instagram post."

"I did over hear her and Alyssa a while ago talking about how to 'take me out'." I murmured, leaning back into the couch. "It all makes sense. That's crazy."

Tobi sighed. "I'd like to believe it's not Taylor. She's real nice when you get to know her. But all the signs point towards her."

"She must have overheard me when I spoke to Benji in the library. Or maybe Alyssa did and reported to Taylor." I added on, anger building up in me as realisation cleared my mind.

"And there's a key bit of information that suggests it's her." Tobi said, bringing out her phone and taping on it. Soon she showed me a screenshot of the Instagram post, zoomed in on the profile. "The name of the account is 'T'. T for Taylor?"

"T for Taylor." I nodded, standing up with a grim expression. "Wow. I knew she was bad but I never suspected she was this bad. All over a guy."

Tobi stood up as well with a solemn expression. "Yeah, it sucks majorly. I'm still hoping it's not her... this is just too far for anyone to do."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling stressed. "So what do I do now? Confront her?"

Tobi shook her head. "The volleyball team are on a tournament for the next two days, so you won't see her until they come back. If I was you I'd go straight to the principal."

I managed to chuckle amidst all my inner turmoil. "You want me to snitch?"

Tobi rolled her brown eyes and shoved me gently, giggling. "Yeah. This has to be some form of harassment, or at least cyber bullying. Lies about your traumatic experience are being spread online and spun in a way to make you the bad guy. Legal action needs to be taken."

I nodded slowly, biting my lip. "I'll talk to my mum then sleep on it. But you're right, whoever is behind this, Taylor or not, can't get away with it. It's more than my reputation now. It's about the truth winning out."

I looked up at Tobi, earnest written all over my face. "Thank you. If you didn't come over, I'd probably be crying in bed or staring at the ceiling. You could have kept what you know to yourself yet you chose to help me with. You're a really good friend."

A smile blossomed across Tobi's face and she held her arms out. We embraced immediately.

"No worries. You've got a good heart, Chloe. Not many do nowadays."

"If I do go to the principal tomorrow, could you come with me? You'll be able to explain everything better than me." I asked hesitantly and she nodded.

"Of course. And don't get all sad, okay? Remember every cloud has a silver lining." Tobi responded with a comforting smile. I walked her to the door to take her leave.

Under the anger I felt towards Taylor, there was an undeniable sense of relief. I had a key suspect on who had done this to me, which meant I was one step closer to making sure she was punished for it. Soon enough, my life would be back to normal.

Well, as normal as normal can be.

*****

Upon arriving Benji received a warm welcome of kisses and hugs. I didn't know I could miss another human being so much in the space of two hours, yet I did. It was a terrifying yet thrilling feeling.

He pulled away first with pink cheeks and bright eyes. "Hello to you too." He chuckled, leading us to the living room. I grinned sheepishly.

"How was your exam?" I asked when we sat down on my couch. Benji relaxed into it, stretching his legs out.

"It was cool." He answered with a slight nod. "I had nothing to do for the rest of the day so the school let me go early. More time to spend with you, I guess." A fake eye-roll accompanied his words but a grin gave him away.

I shoved his shoulder gently. "Don't act as if you weren't speeding down the roads to get here."

He shoved me back which I pouted at. "More like praying for traffic to slow the journey."

I rolled my eyes because we both knew that was far from the truth. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"A beer." He remarked and I raised my eyebrows. "Maybe alcohol would help us get through this painstaking task."

"What painstaking task?"

"Figuring out who's behind the Instagram post." He reminded me and a sheepish expression appeared on my face which he immediately caught on. "What?"

"Yeah... about that, Tobi came over while you were at school." I started and Benji sat up in interest.

"Tobi? I didn't know you guys spoke?"

"We were close friends before I moved away." I explained. "Anyway, she came here to help me with the Instagram post."

For the next twenty minutes I recalled in as much detail as I could to Benji all Tobi and I had discussed. The comical changes in his facial expressions made the task a lot less serious.

"So you think its Taylor." He asked once I'd finished. I shrugged.

"All the signs point towards her." I replied. "She has a motive."

"How would she have figured out what happened in Australia though?"

"She must have overheard me when I told you in the library." I suggested. "I didn't see her there but she was definitely in school that day."

Benji let out a low whistle. "I knew Taylor was bad but I didn't think she was this bad. Well, she'll get what's coming for her."

I nodded in agreement. "She definitely will. Tobi and I are going to the Principal tomorrow morning."

"You're ready to go back to school?" Benji asked uncertainly.

"Not in the slightest." I answered truthfully. "But the sooner the truth comes out, the sooner things will go back to normal. I've let her get away with a lot of things, but not this time."

"I'll be with you the whole time, if you want me to be." Benji said, squeezing my hand supportively with a cute smile. I smiled back.

"Why wouldn't I want my boyfriend by my side?" I responded. My brain caught up with my mouth and I froze when I realised what I said.

I had the overwhelming urge to look for a shovel so I could dig a hole to live in. Benji and I hadn't discussed our relationship status, purely because of me. I was the one who wanted to 'take things slow'.

But these last two days revealed to me I didn't need to. At my lowest, Benji was there to pick me up. How could I not take things further?

"Well, since that's settled do you want to get something to eat? I didn't eat so we could have lunch together." Benji asked after a moment of silence. I tried to read his expression but he wasn't giving anything away.

Maybe he hadn't heard me?

"Sure." I answered shakily, standing up. "Where do you want to go?"

"You can choose. I wouldn't want to go somewhere you don't like and get my 'boyfriend' title removed." Benji said slowly. I looked anywhere but him, feeling his intense stare on the side of my face.

"You caught that, huh?" I tried to chuckle but my throat was too dry.

"Mhmm. And I haven't heard better words."

With that the tense atmosphere relaxed and I faced Benji who had a teasing smile on his face. Rolling my eyes, I stepped away from him.

"You jerk!" I exclaimed. "You made me feel like I said something wrong."

Benji wound his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I was waiting for you to backtrack. We agreed to do things at your pace, remember?"

"How could I forget?" I mumbled, still feeling slightly embarrassed. "Are we still getting lunch?"

"Course, your wish is my command." Benji responded and I rolled my eyes at his nerdy self.

"What if I wished for a kiss?" I asked slyly. Benji answered my question by closing the distance between us.

I guess every cloud really did have a silver lining.

******