STRANGERS

ONE

One by one.

'Tomorrow.'

The message appeared everywhere when someone would open their phones, the message that kept reminding them. The whole school had a website on their phones that was created for this specific reason. To know all the drama. The account was made by an anonymous person, something everyone knew was that they were a student at the high school.

Many had it so they could know the latest drama, but hated being involved or they either had it because they didn't want to risk themselves being the next target. It was always either one of the two. A few days ago, word quickly spread that a group of students will get their secrets known to the entire school. After that, everyone checked their messages or any sort of communication they had and deleted them, they were always aware of their surroundings and made sure no one was listening. No one could trust anybody in this school, but there were also some who didn't care. It was just some silly prank and by tomorrow everyone would forget about it.

One of the people who believed that, was Harper Kade. A 17-year-old who was known to be a very smart student. He tended to be more distant from people and not many people knew much about him. They only knew what he wanted people to see.

Sitting next to him was Juliet Moon Chambers, who is the same age as him. They're both known to be wise students and most teachers have high expectations for the two. They aren't close, but they usually have small talk about the different types of music they like, and even then they would both enjoy their short conversations. 

They were in the middle of completing an exam when three phones begin to ding, causing every person in the room to look up from their papers. The three front-row students rush to silence their phones, but it was late once the teacher holds her hand out to collect their phones. They all hand it to her, but they were clueless about the fact their phone was still on, with the picture displayed on the screen. The teacher noticed and walked over to Harper's desk.

"Care to explain this?" She slides one of the phones, as seen was Harper's contact was on the top, the whole screen showing a clear picture of the test with his answers on it. Confused, he takes a closer look at it and back at the teacher with a disappointed look on her face.

"That can't be me, I don't have my phone on me."

"Show me your bag."

"I'm not lying to you, it's in my locker. I put it there this morning."

"Show me the bag, Harper."

Sighing, he takes his bag and opens the zipper, the front pocket in which he always keeps his phone. Expecting it to be emptied, he gets surprised when he sees his phone still in the bag. The teacher her hand out, making Harper give her the phone. "You'll get it back by the end of detention."

"Oh, come on. They had their phones out, clearly cheating."

"That's a zero on the test for passing out answers. They will get their zeros as well for cheating, Harper. The reason I'm giving you detention is for sharing the answers and lying to me about your phone. It should've been kept in your locker like everyone else."

The class ends, letting everyone hand in their exam. Harper quickly leaves the classroom obviously annoyed by getting in trouble for something he had no explanation for. He passes the break room, in which only two students were sitting on two of the couches and had the room for themselves. It was a special room in the school where a student who needed to study or take a moment to have time for themselves could go there. The two students were Atlas Collin and Jonathon Frank Thompson. The two weren't as close as most people in the school, but they were friends. 

Atlas was laying down on one of the couches, sketching random things he found interesting. The two were talking about things they'd like to happen in the future. "The whole school knowing my name before I die." 

Jonathon scoffs; "That won't be for another fifty years, you'll graduate and pursue your art career, I think more than just this dumb school would know your name." 

Atlas laughs, smiling at the boy in front of him. "I mean it, I think before I die I want to do something here." 

"Better be a good thing." 

"You have another prank in mind?" Atlas drives away from the conversation they were having and hoped Jonathon wouldn't notice he ignored his comment. 

But he did. 

"Atlas, how many times will you throw the coffee cups on the ground and take your shoes off of the couch, if a teacher saw you, you know how much trouble you'd be in? Jonathon, hi." Soleil walked into the room. They were a year younger than the other two, but Jonathon and Soleil were the best of friends. 

Atlas looks at Soleil, picking up the coffee cups and throwing them away. He smiles at them, "Happy?" 

"Very." 

Soleil sits next to Jonathon, him resting his head on their shoulder. "That's unfair." 

"What's unfair?" 

"Why do I get told a whole speech on everything I'm doing wrong, but Jonathon gets a simple hello?" 

"Because Jonathon listens." 

"Oh, and I don't?" 

"I told you this months ago and you still do it. As far as I'm concerned, you don't listen." 

Jonathon laughs as Atlas tries to hide his smiles by covering his face with his hands. He would always smile when he knew someone was right, especially when it was one of his friends. 

"You know I'm right." 

"You're always right." Atlas mutters. 

"I'm sorry, what?" Soleil had heard him clearly. They liked annoying him in a joking manner. "You were right." Atlas says, standing up and heading towards the door. "Thank you for that, I knew I was right!" Soleil shouts as Atlas walks away from them with a small wave.