Intertwined

Another Life-Changing Note

Matt found himself outside near the running track. He stood still, his hands in his pockets. Thinking, his eyebrows crunched.

Mara stepped outside onto the track as well, and first thing she saw was a tall boy not too far away, so she walked over to the boy, standing next to him. "What was that about?"

Matt flinched a bit and looked to his side.

"Oh, it's you Mara...thank god. Well, I'm not sure whether to be thankful or not that you followed me"

She shrugged a bit. "That's for you to decide"

"Okay okay....since you're the only one who doesn't hate me and will listen..."

Matt faced the girl with determined face.

She turned back, ready to listen.

Matt took a deep breath. "Apparently, there was a note found near Rowe's body...."

"Oh.. What did it say...?"

"...It said: Keep your friends closer...Matthew Anderson"

Somehow, Mara didn't flinch nor blink. She just stood where she was.

"Weird..."

"That's beyond weird. It's insane... Do you think someone's targeting me?"

"Maybe.."

"Is it just me or are you sounding too casual for my liking?" Matt decided to point it out, as it started to bother him at this point.

Mara gave a small shrug. "Just.. a little shocked by this"

Matt sighed. "It's either me...." His eyes widened in a shocking realization.

"It could also be one of you!"

"Oh... oh shoot.." She tensed up, the new info finally freaking her out.

"I have to go and warn them..."

"Yeah.."

"Come on. I'll need support in case they try to kill me"

Mara nodded a bit. "Yeah let's go"

Matt went back inside with hesitant steps.

Mara walked with him, nervously fiddling with her sleeves.

"I'm the one who should be doing that" He remarked jokingly.

"Well then, why arn't ya" She teased, hoping to help lighten the mood.

Matt smiled a bit. "Everyone has their own tics"

"You right, you right" Mara replied.

"He he, you know, Mara. You should be more outgoing. You're fun. Mike chose a good one" Matt winked

She blushed slightly and shrugged. "You're kinda.. the only one who thinks that"

"That's not true. All of our friends think so. You're like the heart of the group. A link that holds us together"

she let out a small forced laugh. "Sure I am. I'm more like the quiet weird one"

"But you're still the kindest" He insisted.

She shrugged once again. "Eh. Not really"

Matt laughed. "You need to give yourself more credit"

They finally made it back inside the cafeteria.

"I think I give myself plenty of credit"

"I'm serious, little girl. Anyways, let's get this going"

Matt nervously eyed the table he was sitting on previously. Evan, Rose and Nate were gone.

I owe him an explanation...

Matt turned back and focused on the table his friends were sitting on.

"Here goes nothing...except my life maybe"

"Let's hope not" She gave him a small smile.

Matt started walking over to the table.

Mike immediately noticed and perked up. Evelyn was about to question him, but she turned around and got her answer, so she grimaced.

Mara followed behind, going back to fiddling with her sleeves. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but Eve slightly scared her.

Evelyn hung her head to avoid eye contact. Mike looked a bit down as his best friend got closer.

Matt uncharacteristically fiddled with his fingers.

"Guys, I know that you want to rip my head off but there's something important I have to tell you..."

Mara stood behind Matt glancing at all their friends.

Asher perked up a bit, curious as to what Matt had to say, while silently hating his guts. Jordi just sat there silently, hating Matt's guts as well.

"Rowe's body was found with a note and my name was written on it"

Mike looked at Matt with shock. Evelyn was shocked as well, looking up with a worried look, despite her conflicting thoughts about Matthew.

Asher couldn't help but look up as well. "Wait what?? What did it say??"

Matt took a deep breath. "It said: Keep your friends closer..."

Asher's worried look shifted to confusion. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"I have no idea...that's why I came to tell you. No matter what happened between us, I don't want any of you hurt because of me..." Matt admitted, his tone a far cry from his usual self.

Jordi just stared in confusion. Asher just shook his head in confusion as well. "Why would anyone do this?"

Matt finally sat down with them.

"I'm going to look into it..."

Asher eyed Matthew. "Don't end up getting yourself hurt because of it"

"I'll try not to....But...how much do you want that to happen?"

Asher just muttered a response. "A lot, but I wanna be the one to do it"

Matt sighed but stopped himself from getting annoyed.

"I better get started then"

Matt stood up and walked away again, just as the bell rang.

Evelyn watched him go, then turned to Asher with a glare.

"How could you?"

Asher put his hands up in defense. "What?"

"Our outing is off" Evelyn stood up and walked away, huffing.

Mike looked at Asher with a confused look. "Are we missing something here?"

"I'll explain later" Asher got up and quickly ran after Eve.

Mike eyed Jordi and Mara.

"Any ideas?"

Mara shrugged. "Who knows with those two". Jordi was silently looking at the door where the two left.

"We better get going" Mike stood up and started leaving.

The two girls got up and followed after him, with Mara linking her arm with Mike's.

Mike smiled a bit at her then pecked her cheek.

"Baabbbyyyy Maarrraaaa" he teased

"Oh shussshh" Mara giggled a bit.

The three left the cafeteria, trying to maintain their cheery look... But it could only last for a bit...