𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐃𝐎 𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 - ᴡᴀʟʟʏ ᴄʟᴀʀᴋ

vi.

THE BATTLE IS LOST.

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MADDIE, AS HARD AS IT POSSIBLE, TRIED TO BELIEVE ISABEL, but, in all honesty, couldn't. Of course, she knew talking to living was apparently feasible, Nears was the one who has been doing it for weeks.

And days ago she would definitely buy Baxter's words. But after Charley's attempts to make her keep silence because she was the first who had the connection, she couldn't. Maddie needed proofs. And, luckily, Xavier was finally allowed to get back to school.

"Devil boy's back."

"Why is he here?"

"I can't believe he came back to school."

Isabel and Maddie were following Xavier silently. One of them was still suspicious of him while another was trying to not to call for him. It felt almost impossible to not to talk to her brother but Isabel knew that it was too risky, she wanted Maddie to believe her but she couldn't let others find out.

"You don't think it's weird?" Simon asked Nicole.

"What, Xavier being back?"

"No, screw Xavier," the boy pressed. "I'm talking about Mr. Anderson giving Maddie his number."

Isabel turned to her friend with a raised brow. "His number?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Alright," Baxter nodded and tried to find her brother who seemed to disappear. "Great! We have another meeting now and Xavier is nowhere to be found!"

"C'mon, we can find him later," Maddie took girl's hand in hers and guided them to the gym.

Maddie couldn't stop herself from thinking about the Mr. Andreson situation, obviously. Even though Isabel didn't know anything in details, she knew the thing was bugging her friend a lot. So, an upcoming meeting was a great opportunity for her to switch attention from discoveries she didn't want to make.

Shortly after, the duo ended up on their seats, all eyes were on them, silently (or not) questioning girls why they were suddenly friends again.

"What's happened?" Wally whispered in Isabel's ear.

"Truce," she shrugged.

"How is the obituary going?" Mr. Martin said as the couple exchanged whispering. "Is there anything you'd like to share yet with the group?"

"Uh, it's still a work in progress." Maddie shot Isabel a confused look. Both of them completely forgot about the obituary. Their actions didn't go unnoticed by others, clearly. "Sorry. I feel like I barely slept last night."

"Gosh, it sounds like you spent one too many days in a row inside this school."

"Is there another option?"

Mr. Martin smiled slyly. "There is, actually."

Isabel immediately caught the vibe, she shook her head actively. "Don't say that out loud, please," she begged the man.