I sat back in my seat, trying my hardest to not look bored. After avoiding my friends for another day, the girls had shown up at my house after school and dragged me to the nearest café to catch up.

There were other people our age so naturally the café was buzzing with conversation and stressed waitresses running around to collect orders. I resisted checking my phone to see if my boyfriend had texted me, instead opting to fiddle with the chequered table cloth.

"Taylor got expelled." Was the first thing Maya said as she sat opposite me. My eyebrows rose as Teresa and Melissa turned to stare at her in shock.

Maya nodded with a solemn expression, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder. "Yep, it's true. Brenda Mills confirmed it."

Brenda Miller ran the gossip mill at our school; she confirmed, denied and fuelled rumours. If she said something was true, it was true.

I didn't know how to feel. Sympathetic? Happy?

Teresa broke the silence, turning to her cousin and asking: "Does Brock know?"

Maya shrugged. "If he doesn't already he'll find out soon."

"I can't believe they broke up." Melissa stated, shaking her head and crossing her arms. I nodded in agreement.

"I never got what he saw in her anyway." Teresa commented. "Taylor is one mean girl."

"She wasn't that bad." I defended, surprising myself and everyone at the table.

There was a pause before Maya spoke up. "Isn't she the one behind that Instagram post? That's why she got expelled. They discovered it was her email that was used for the account."

Melissa's jaw dropped open and I raised my eyebrows. "How do you know all this?"

"Brenda Mills." Maya said simply and we all nodded. My eyebrows furrowed with this new information. Were Tobi and Alyssa aware?

As if my thoughts summoned her, Tobi entered the café. I watched as she looked around until her eyes landed on our table and she headed over. Teresa stood up to greet her and the table quieted down.

"Hey, girl!" Teresa greeted and they exchanged a hug. Tobi waved at us which we returned.

"I invited Tobi to join us since her and Chloe are cool now, if that's alright with everyone?"

"Fine with me." Maya said with a friendly smile which Tobi returned, and I agreed. I was quite glad to see her so we could discuss this newfound information. Melissa was strangely quiet.

"How do you guys know each other?" I asked Teresa who began to explain they'd formed a friendship after an incident with a teacher.

We were all laughing along to Teresa's animated storytelling skills when the café door swung open. Everyone's eyes turned to see the intrusion.

I wasn't that surprised to see Alyssa standing at the entrance. The sunlight from behind cast a shadow over her face, making her dark expression more intimidating.

She headed straight to our table, gaining everyone's attention. "Tobi and Chloe, can I speak to you please?"

I shared a glance with Tobi. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what this was about. Guess news travelled fast.

Tobi and I left the table, following Alyssa outside. I narrowly dodged a kid on his scooter and turned to face her. Her furious expression hadn't softened and she crossed her arms.

"You should have heard by now, but Taylor has been expelled." Alyssa stated, watching our faces closely. Mine gave nothing away but Tobi looked surprised. Alyssa's eyes narrowed at her.

"Funny how you're surprised, since you caused this!" Alyssa seethed and Tobi took a step back. She hated confrontation.

"I caused this? How?"

"Hmm, let's think." Alyssa started sarcastically, placing a finger on her chin. "Befriending Taylor and me, gaining our trust only to stab her in the back. Double agent suits you."

Tobi sighed. "Yeah, I did have that intention at first." She admitted. "I wanted to see how Taylor would act towards Chloe and if I could prevent anything bad, Chloe seemed more vulnerable ever since she started school so I was concerned."

"What, you're her guardian angel or something?" Alyssa snapped.

"Or something." Tobi responded, unfazed. "The more I got to know you and Taylor I realised there was more beneath the surface. I began to enjoy being friends with you guys. If I didn't I would have stopped hanging out with you."

Alyssa looked away unconvinced, so Tobi carried on. "I am sorry about being deceptive. I see why you'd think I was the one who set Taylor up, but I didn't. I know she's innocent."

Tobi glanced back at the café, contemplating and we followed her gaze. "Someone is guilty though."

I snapped my gaze towards her. "Someone in there?" I asked sharply, my heart rate increasing. Tobi and Alyssa exchanged a glance and I tried to figure out what they were thinking.

"Come on, there's some place we can talk more privately." Alyssa said, ignoring my question. "I'll wait while you guys get your stuff."

Tobi and I took the cue and entered the café, walking towards our table. The conversation ceased and Teresa and Maya glanced up at us, looking uneasy.

"Everything okay? Alyssa looked pissed." Maya commented and I shrugged, leaning over her to grab my purse.

"Yeah, nothing's wrong. Tobi and I are actually going to head out, tell the guys I said hi?" I told them and they nodded. I glanced around, noticing the missing third person.

"Where's Melissa?"

Teresa shrugged. "She went the bathroom a couple minutes ago. I'll tell her you had to leave."

I nodded and Tobi and I headed out, following Alyssa down the busy street. She led us to her car, a nice silver model which we entered. Tobi sat in the front so I opted for the backseat, bringing out my phone to text Benji.

Me: You'll miss me at the café, I'm heading somewhere with Tobi and Alyssa.

Benji: Cool.

I frowned at his short reply. He didn't care where I was going or why?

"I have all my evidence set up at my boyfriend's house, so we're going there if that's alright with you too?" Alyssa spoke up. I nodded; leaning back in my seat and watching the scenery pass by.

Soon I realised we were approaching the richer side of town, as the houses increased in size and impressiveness. Alyssa eventually parked at a massive house- mansion was a better word to describe it. The front lawn was bigger than my room, the grass perfectly cut and fountains on either side of the entrance.

Alyssa confidently walked up to the front door and Tobi and I followed uncertainly.

"Who is your boyfriend? The president?" I asked, bewildered as she pressed the bell. Alyssa simply smiled.

An older man opened the door, appearing to be a butler. He nodded at Alyssa and stepped aside, welcoming us in. Inside the house looked like it was straight out of a movie, high ceilings, a marbled floor and fancy staircase. I glanced at Tobi who looked as impressed as I was feeling.

We walked upstairs and down various rooms until we entered an office of some sort. But it was occupied by two people.

A dark haired guy immediately stood from the couch they were seated at and hugged Alyssa, spinning her around.

"Wyatt!" She squealed, a giggling mess and he put her down with a fond smile. After releasing her he turned to us, his arm firmly around her waist.

"Sorry, you guys must think I have no manners. I just got a bit carried away." He told us sheepishly. I waved him away with a polite smile. "No worries."

Up close I had to admit he was super good-looking. He was over a head taller than me with dark hair and dark eyes. Paired with a lean physique, white smile and dimples I was impressed with Alyssa's taste.

"I'm Wyatt Daniels." He introduced himself warmly. "Alyssa's boyfriend."

Alyssa rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah I'm sure they guessed from how you greeted me."

Wyatt poked her cheek which she shied away from. "Don't act like you don't love it." He turned to his friend who was sat on the couch, on his phone.

"Bro, don't be so antisocial. Come introduce yourself." Wyatt prompted and his friend looked up, surprised.

"Sorry, I only saw Alyssa come in." He said, his voice deep and smooth. He approached us and I could make out a pair of dark blue eyes paired with hair the same shade as mine. He was as equally handsome as Wyatt.

"I'm Aiden Carter, this one's friend." Aiden jabbed his thumb at Wyatt, who grabbed it and started to twist it. Aiden yelped and they started wrestling, causing Tobi and I to take a step back.

Alyssa frowned. "Not when we have guests! You always embarrass me Wyatt." They immediately broke apart and Wyatt sprung up with flushed cheeks and a victorious smile. He seemed to have won the wrestle.

"This is Chloe and Tobi. I've mentioned them before." Alyssa said shortly, leading us over to the previously occupied couch. "If you don't mind we have some work to do."

Aiden seemed to get the hint and headed off, waving goodbye which we returned. Wyatt lingered, looking at his unimpressed girlfriend with the face of a wounded puppy.

"Did you need something, Wyatt?" Alyssa asked, scrolling through her phone. He walked closer to her hesitantly.

"Your forgiveness?" Wyatt asked, sitting on her right. The couch was now quite cramped but Tobi and I didn't mind as we watched the show.

Alyssa hummed. "Should've kept that in mind before you started wrestling with Aiden." Despite her words she didn't seem too annoyed.

"It was just a bit of fun." Wyatt defended, throwing an arm around her shoulder which she shrugged off.

"Go have that fun elsewhere." Alyssa dismissed, a smile breaking onto her face when Wyatt stole a kiss. "Wyatt!" She cried out, swatting him and he stood up.

"Love you! Nice meeting you girls!" He called out, jogging out the office in an attempt to avoid Alyssa's attacks.

"Your house is great!" I called back. I heard a faint "thank you!" before the door slammed shut. I turned to Alyssa who was sorting through papers at a large, mahogany desk.

"Your boyfriend seems nice." I commented and she turned to me.

"Yeah, he's the nicest." She replied with a smile that let on she liked him a lot. "I got lucky with him."

"That's how I feel about Benji." I agreed and she beckoned us over to her. I looked at the display on the desk, confused.

"What is all this, Alyssa?" Tobi asked, voicing my thoughts. Alyssa turned to us, her serious expression back.

"I brought you guys here to prove Taylor's innocence... and expose who's behind that Instagram post." She started, rounding the table so she was stood opposite us. She held out two pieces of paper and handed on each to us.

"The day you confided in Benjamin about what happened in Australia, only three relevant people were in school. What you're holding is the attendance for that day."

My eyes scanned the page and my heart started to drop. Among the names of other students, three were written that were familiar. The third one made me freeze.

"Benjamin isn't behind the Instagram post which I can confirm. That leaves two other people." Alyssa continued and I looked up at her, shock painted across my face.

"Alyssa, you don't think-"

Tobi placed a hand on my shoulder, silencing me. Alyssa carried on, her face like stone as she handed us each another paper.

"You may have heard they expelled Taylor because they discovered the email used for the account was hers." We nodded and Alyssa smiled slightly. "It was fake. How do I know? The proof is in your hands."

"Um, what are we looking at?" Tobi asked. Alyssa approached us, rolling her eyes. She grabbed the sheet out of Tobi's hand.

"I hacked Taylor's so-called email. And I made a very interesting discovery." Alyssa stated. "For most email accounts, you need either a back up email or phone number in case you forget your password. Do you recognise the phone number used as back up, Chloe?"

"I don't think so." My voice was nothing above a whisper.

Alyssa had an odd glint on her eyes. "I can jog your memory. Dial this number on your phone." She ordered and I did so, tapping the numbers on the screen as she called them out.

My finger hovered over the green call button. Tobi and Alyssa watched me, one with sympathy and one expressionless.

"What are you waiting for?" Alyssa prompted and Tobi turned to her. "Give her a minute, Alyssa. This is big news."

I took a deep breath and my finger tapped the screen. The phone rang painstakingly three times before a familiar voice answered.

"Hello?"

My whole world seemed to freeze and the phone started to slip from my grasp.

"Hello? Chloe are you there?" Melissa's voice asked through the phone speaker.

My eyes were fixed on the dark brown wall opposite and I didn't realise when my phone fell to the ground, bouncing once on the carpeted floor.

Alyssa leant forward, picking up my phone and bringing it to her glossed lips. "Chloe will have to speak to you later, Mel." She said in a sugary-sweet voice. Her face was a complete contradiction, deep anger shone in her eyes.

Without waiting for a response, Alyssa hung up. Two pairs of eyes settled on me. I looked away from the wall, my hands shaking.

No one spoke. The silence was loud enough.

"It-" I cleared my throat. "It is Melissa? Who's behind all of this?" I asked, looking at Alyssa for confirmation. She nodded, her face showing pity now.

"I have to give it to the girl; she knows how to cover her tracks." Alyssa said, moving back towards the desk and picking something up. "She would have got away with it too. Except..."

I numbly took the paper, the blurriness of my vision preventing me from reading it. Tobi helped me out.

"It's the attendance record for that free period. The one you and Benjamin share." She explained, pointing out our names and Melissa's.

"The register was done at the library." Alyssa said, her dark brown eyes watching me. "I assume that's where you told Benjamin?"

I nodded, unable to speak.

Alyssa folded her arms. "The dirty wretch would have overheard you guys then, she probably hid somewhere- hey, are you alright?"

I stumbled slightly, looking for some stability. Tobi quickly lead me over to the couch and Alyssa tossed me a bottle of water. After taking a sip I felt better.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake myself out of my stupor. "I can't believe it."

"I can." Tobi murmured. "I had my suspicions, but no actual evidence. That's why I came to the café today, to see if she was acting any different. Something about Melissa has always been... off."

"It's the jealousy." Alyssa commented, running a hand through her curls. "It's a disease. It consumes a person until they're an empty, bitter shell."

"I have my theories about why she did this." Alyssa continued. "But we can only find out why from her. I suggest we make a plan-"

"-I suggest we give Chloe a minute." Tobi interrupted, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Even though we both guessed this, Chloe didn't. Melissa was one of her closest friends, this is a real shock."

Alyssa's expression turned sheepish. "Sorry, Chloe. I was so caught up in planning revenge. We can leave if you want?"

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I sat up, Tobi's hand falling from my shoulder. I looked directly at Alyssa. "I'm fine. Let us make a plan."

"You sure?" Tobi asked uncertainly. "You looked like you were about to cry."

I raised my chin. "No way. She doesn't deserve my tears. She deserves to be punished."

"Atta girl." Alyssa murmured looking at me with an expression of respect. "I say we corner her and force her to spill, recording it on tape so we have something to blackmail her with."

Tobi stood up, shaking her head. "Bad idea, it could backfire in so many ways. We should just present all your evidence to the headmaster so she's suspended immediately."

Alyssa snorted, moving to sit next to me. "Because that worked so well last time. Plus, I'll get in trouble for hacking the account. We need to scare the little worm; I bet she's feeling so smug that things have gone according to plan."

Tobi turned to me, frustrated. "Do you have any ideas?"

I shrugged helplessly. "Revenge isn't really my forte."

"I have a suggestion, if you guys don't mind?"

We all three turned to the new voice and I couldn't help but gasp. Standing at the door, looking every bit as perfect as she usually did, was the one and only.

Taylor Marisetta.

*****

❤️