PAINTED BLACK.

Chapter Seven.

The three friends could barely focus in Math class. After what seemed like years, the bell was finally rung. Everybody except the trio left for break. They acted like they were really busy arranging their notes. When the coast was clear, Dami hurriedly shut the door.
Remi turned a disgruntled face to Christy. "Remind me again how you got me to do this."
Christy rolled her eyes. "Now we start." She said. They began the search.
It lasted for a short while. When they were done, they gathered round each other again, looking dismayed.
"Obviously whoever is doing this might have the clue in his or her bag." Dami pointed out.
"This was a lame idea. I'm going to eat." Remi said.
Christy who was already upset about not having found anything helpful turned to Remi with a deep scowl on her face.
"You're one really helpful friend, Remi!" She snapped.
"What do you mean?" Remi shot back.
"Guys?" Dami said, warningly. Christy turned on her.
"No, why's he just so selfish?! I've helped him out of issues so many different times without complaints." And she turned back to him. "What's your problem?"
"Well, for one thing, I'd never be caught up in something that's so obviously just a prank!" He replied, curtly.
"Can't you see this isn't a prank? Someone is out to get me!" Christy yelled.
"Oh, please! Cut out the drama! Girls..."
"Alright, that's enough! Shut up both of you!" Dami said sternly. "I've had just about enough of this. If you're going to keep bickering like stupid two-year olds, then enjoy!" And she began to leave. Christy blinked and sighed heavily.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
Remi sighed too. "I'm sorry too. But, I still think this is a whole waste of time. Let's go and have lunch." He maintained.
Christy nodded this time and they all began to file out of the class. Dami opened the door and stopped, with her mouth hanging open all of a sudden.
Right on the floor, in front of her lay another blue and white sticky note. She bent and pulled it off.

Dear C-D-R,

You had better stop trying to solve this case. You're all just a bunch of losers...own it! You're never going to catch up with me. Give it up, twerps!
Signed: C:B.
PS: I hate your gut!

Christy gasped and ran around the hall checking if there was anyone around, but no one was in sight. Silently, they all began to walk to the cafe after Christy had carefully added the note to the others in her scrapbook.
Shortly after, they were barely settled with their lunch in the cafeteria when a girl in their class called Betty walked up to their table.
"How could you do this, Christy? How could you be such a terrible person? And I thought we were friends!" She screamed, with tears in her eyes.
Christy was perplexed. "Betty, what's wrong?" She asked.
"YOU sit there and ask me what's wrong, like you don't know what you've done!" Then she threw a sticky blue and white note at Christy's face. "Here's your evil note!" And she ran out of the cafe, crying now.
Christy looked down at the note and looked up at her friends in horror. Everyone in the cafe was staring at her now. In stunned silence, Christy placed the note carefully on the table and the three leaned towards it. The note read, neatly, in Christy's handwriting;

Dear hedious Betty, (a.k.a skunk bag),

You disgust me. No one likes you. My advice to you is that you keep away from people. Everyone's disgusted with you. I'm surprised you don't know how much your breath stinks. You need a whole six years of hygiene classes. Skunk!
Signed: Christy.

Christy looked up with an extremely sad look on her face.
"Oh, Betty. I didn't write this." She said in a small voice.
The bell rung, and they hadn't even touched their food.

When they got to class, they saw Betty surrounded by her friends. She was crying bitterly.
One of them turned to Christy and shot her a look of venom. She slid down in her chair. The Yoruba teacher walked in.
How long can I cope here? I want to go home. Christy thought.