| Sickness |

•6•

The first person to get in valerie then Carter than me. It felt werid because it was first time in a car with them or being around them.

Were they on the tape? It was quite. Well for a little bit.

" so, do you guys usually walk to school it's a long ways " Says bryce

" yea " says jaime

" that's gotta suck. We would give our Carter a ride but he insists on walking by himself " Says Bryce, smirking while driving

Carter just shrugged. We got to the school. Zach parked.

"my mom is out of town this weekend and I'm having a party you should come by " Says Zach

" maybe " says Carter

We all got out. Bryce looked at me. Well technically they all did. But it gave me suspicions. We were away enough to continue the conservation.

" that was werid " Says valerie

" very " says jaime

" why did Bryce call you their boy " Says valerie

" they all call me that . Bc I'm the water boy. You really think I'm friends with those assholes?" Says Carter

" I mean you are there little bitch " Says valerie

Here's the backstory on valerie and Carter. Valerie didn't like basketball guys. She and Carter made fun of each other. Were they friends? No. Did they insult the hell out of each other? Yes they did. But kind of in a friendly way? It was complicated. See everything was too complicated. All I knew is that she had a grudge against anything sports wise.

" I'm not there bitch , little vampire " Says Carter

" so you run errands for them do what your told and what does that make you? There. Little. Bitch " says valerie

I saw clay. I tuned out there bitching at each other. Clay .

" Shh " says Jamie

They were ignoring me.

" shut the fuck up . I'll be right back " says jaime

I went to talk to clay . He was by his locker. He looked at me.

" oh hey jay" says clay, looking at jaime

you know when you struggle to find the words to talk to someone. That was what it was like. I had to force the words out . For my sister. For the justice

" hey whatcha listening to clay " says jaime

" old tapes my dad gave me " says clay

" that's interesting " Says jaime

" I heard your hanging out with Carter now? When did that become a thing?" Says clay

" what do you mean by that?" Says Jaime

" you guys have never hung out before " says clay

" we just don't hangout in school that much but it's all new type of friendship " Says jaime

He gave me a look. He noticed my recorder.

" what are you planning on listening to " says clay

" oh a old podcast about world domination. someone has to take them down " says jaime

I just looked at clay.

" i um better get my stuff in my locker before I'm late " Says jaime

" yea " says clay

I went to my locker. I looked at Carter who was at his locker who nodded at me. he walked up the stairs to his other classes. I put in my combinations. Then at my locker there was again Jessica casually.

" hello Jessica " Says jaime

" jaime, we need to talk " Says Jessica

" I'm busy right now but maybe you talk to preppy cheerleaders about who can do the splits better " Says jaime

I finally opened my locker and I put my backpack in and she looked at me.

" I don't know what you heard but the story is not what it seems " Says Jessica

" and she's a liar " Says Jessica

I shut my locker once I got my shit out and I looked at her.

" you don't want to go there with me Davis " says Jessica

" she's your sister. You don't want to hear it " Says Jessica

" I believe my sister. And god knows I'm gonna take you down. Your playing a dangerous game " Says Jaime

I looked at Jessica. We were just looking at each other.

Valerie stood beside me.

" you good?" Says valerie

" yea " says jaime

I walked away . I walked passed her.

Carter's pov

I went walking upstairs to my classes. I bumped into foley. He stopped me.

" Drews hey " says justin

" hey what's up " says Carter, leans on the door

To keep a low profile to know who's on the tape. I had to pretend I didn't know anything. It was easy. But I had a feeling the people who knew they were on the tape and since tony told jaime last night clay knew and was listening and Jessica hassled jaime . And plus was on the tape with justin. I had a feeling it was gonna get worse from here.

" you headed to class?" Says justin

" yea " says Carter

" I thought I'd talk to you for a second. so your buddy buddy with baker and V when did that happen?" Says justin

" we've always been friends. Outside of school "Says Carter

" ah . You listen to any type of music lately? " says justin

" not more than the usual " Says Carter

I looked at justin

" gotta be careful because music can get you in trouble " Says justin

I turned my head. Did I hear what I heard.

" are you threatening me?" Says Carter

" no ofc not. Just talking about.. music " says justin

I bit my lip and chuckled to myself.

" what's so funny about that" Says justin

" it's just. I might be the water boy for the team . Correct if I'm wrong . But I know a lot about you. And think before you threaten someone foley . Oh see you at practice " Says Carter

Douchebag.

I went to my classes. And eventually the bell rang 8th period. I went to practice. I thought more and about what valerie said . I wasn't there bitch. I mean I was the water boy. But I was not anyones bitch.

i just sat on the bench. Justin wasn't here . I shrugged. The coach came to me .

" Drews, have you seen foley ?" Says coach

" I don't know he's probably running late " Says coach

He came in.

They had the practice. I got a text from jaime. I took my phone out. She texted me something. She said she listened to half of the tapes. Okay. I mean we didn't agree we would listen to them together. It was about her sister. But what she said who was on it would change things .

Alex Standall.

i put my phone down

" aye can I have a water Drews?" Says one of basketball players

" here " says Carter

*