"How are we gonna do this?" Daniel asked. The five of us were standing on the lawn of the house party, trying to formulate some sort of plan before going inside, where we most likely wouldn't be able to hear each other over the loud music. "It's not like someone's gonna start macking on their girlfriend's best friend in the middle of the party."

"I figure we split into two groups," Ian suggested. "Two people near the bottom of the stairs, and three people upstairs. That way, the two at the bottom can text someone upstairs if they see a couple going up together who aren't together."

"We'll be able to see each other," Roy interrupted. "Parker's stairs have a balcony-- texting might take a minute to go through, so we can give a signal instead."

"Even better," Ian said. "Depending on how many rooms are open, the three people upstairs can split up and hide in the rooms. Depending on which room the couple goes into, whoever's hiding in there will take pictures. Then someone from downstairs can interrupt before things... escalate."

Daniel scrunched up his nose. "God, this feels immoral."

"It does," I agreed. "But I guess if you cheat at Rutherford, you know the risk. The Seven are always watching." 

"How are we gonna know if a couple isn't really a couple? I probably don't even know more than two people in there," Jade said.

"I'm guessing Roy knows everyone in there the best, so I thought he should wait at the bottom," Ian suggested. 

Roy nodded. "I'd probably notice if someone was going up with someone they shouldn't be."

"I have a decent grasp on who's dating who when it comes to certain circles, thanks to all the locker room talk I have to endure," Ian informed. "So I can wait upstairs in case anyone slips by Roy."

"Daniel and I can wait upstairs too," I volunteered.

"No way," Daniel said, laughing. "Sorry Mads, but I'm not about to hide in some closet and play peeping tom."

I fought back an eye roll, knowing I probably should've figured as much.

"It's fine," Jade spoke, shrugging. "I can do it."

"Alright then." Roy clapped his hands once, rubbing them together mischievously. "Let's go get our points."

We entered the house, the smell of alcohol and sweat hitting me like a wall. The house was dark apart from colored lights and lamps placed around the house, drenching everyone in shades of neon. Music was blaring, and smoke was being blown into the air from the mouths of people at various points in the room. A few people were huddled in groups, passing the drug around. Plastic red cups were in the hands of almost everyone, many raised in the air as people danced and grinded against each other.

"There's got to be over a hundred people here," Jade noted, speaking loudly to be heard over the thump of the bass.

"It's probably only gonna get more crowded," I replied, raising my voice even more so the others would hear as I added, "We should get to our spots."

"Good point," Ian agreed. He turned to Roy. "If we're supposed to hide, give us a signal-- wave your hands in the air like your trying to flag down a plane or something, just make sure we see it."

Roy nodded. "Got it."

I followed Ian to the staircase, Jade trailing behind me. Upstairs was much less populated than the first level, mainly only occupied by couples kissing in shadowed corners or girls heading to the bathroom, so it wasn't too hard to claim spots by the balcony. I quickly spotted Daniel and Roy, reminding myself to keep tabs on them-- I didn't want to miss the signal.

"You know, this challenge is kind of unfair," Jade said, leaning against the wall. "It's all up to chance if anyone even feels like having some teenaged affair tonight."

"I was thinking that too," I admitted. "But if The Seven are confident, I'm guessing it'll happen. Maybe they know something we don't."

"I hope so," she said, glancing around warily at our surroundings. "I'd like to have a good reason for dragging myself to this thing. I think I feel more out of place than I ever have in my whole life." She laughed, looking down and pulling lightly at her shirt. "Took me an hour just to pick out what to wear."

"You look good," I assured her, looking downstairs again. "At least Roy sure seems to think so."

"What?" she asked, eyebrows raising. She looked confused and embarrassed at the same time, as if it was her I was accusing of attraction.

"He hasn't stopped looking at you since we got here," I explained, grinning at the flustered look on her face.

Her cheeks reddened, barely visible in the dark. "I... I doubt that."

"I'm surprised you didn't notice," I said, checking another time for the signal, and sure enough, seeing Roy's eyes dart up to Jade again before scanning the room.

"Judging from the look on your face, I'd say it doesn't bother you," Ian chimed in.

"I- He- He is not!" She laughed, shaking her head. "That's ridiculous."

"Look and see for yourse-" I stopped short, movement catching my eye. Roy's arms were waving fervently, Daniel not-so-discreetly pointing to a guy and girl walking up the stairs. 

"Shit," Ian swore, looking around at the doors surrounding us. Two were open, and two were closed-- most likely occupied or locked. Jade immediately scurried towards the one across the hall, Ian and I heading into the nearest one. 

I left the door ajar and searched for somewhere to hide. Under the bed I wouldn't be able to get a picture, behind the curtains would be too noticeable, even in the dark--

"Here," Ian grabbed my arm and pulled me into a closet next to the entrance, quickly sliding the door on its tracks, closing it most of the way. Slivers of moonlight illuminated the crowded space as they leaked through the shutters on the door. I tried to move to give Ian some room, but hissed as my leg was poked and prodded by numerous hangers and shoe boxes. 

His hand was still on my arm, the front of him practically flush with my back. "Sorry," he mumbled quietly, voice so close to me and so hushed that it sent a shiver down my back. "Close quarters."

Before I could respond there were people entering the room, giggles and quiet speaking coming in with them. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and hurried to pull up my camera app, hitting the record button.

"Randall," the girl in the room groaned the name and I placed my phone against the door, positioning it so the camera had them in frame. I cringed to myself at the action, unable to deny that it felt gross to be doing this. 

I tried to think of what Kendall did to me and how devastated I had been. It helped a little, reminding me that I wasn't the only one here doing something bad-- the two of them were hurting someone, and if it wasn't for this video, the truth might never get out. Spying on them was gross, but they shouldn't have been there in the first place.

"Grace," Randall started. I cringed as he kissed her neck. "Did you lock the door?"

She shook her head. "There's no lock." 

"Damn." He pulled away, looking towards the door. I hoped this meant they would leave-- I had no idea how Roy and Daniel were planning to interrupt without looking totally suspicious. Not to mention Ian and I would still need to get out without being seen.

"I think the other room was open," Grace suggested, placing her hands on his chest. "Maybe that one has a lock."

I felt Ian shift behind me and a few seconds later I saw why, a notification popping up on my phone for a new message in our group chat. 

"Hmmm," Randall hummed as she stroked his chest, seeming to consider if he even had the patience to switch rooms. The muffled music from downstairs was the only thing to fill the silence for a moment. I held my breath, every sound amplified by my adrenaline.

"We don't want anyone walking in, right?" she persuaded.

He nodded slowly. "Okay, yeah. You're right. Let's go."

Grace sauntered over to the door, opening it slowly and peeking out before leading Randall out of the room.

I ended the recording, sighing in relief. 

Now, all we had to do was wait.