ALEX | BXB

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sidone's pov

Ugh, I'm so late for Janae already. Where did I put that calculus notes folder? I swear, I had it right here...

My phone rings, shrill in the silence of my room. I glance at the screen, and my heart skips a beat. Why is he calling me? We've barely spoken since... well, since everything

I stare at the screen, my mind blank. Why is he calling me now, of all times? And why do I still have his number saved, anyway?

I hesitate for a moment, my finger hovering over the "decline" button. But something makes me hesitate. Maybe it's curiosity, or maybe it's just plain stubbornness. Whatever it is, I find myself answering the call.

"Hey?" I say, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach. What could he need to talk to me about? Did something happen to Sean? Or is this about... her? No, I don't want to think about that. Not now. Not ever.

"Hey?" I say again, starting to feel a bit impatient. Where is he going with this?

Finally, He speaks up, his voice low and hesitant. "Hey Si, I know I'm the last person you want to hear from..."

I cut him off, glancing at the clock on my wall. I'm seriously running late. "can you just make it quick? I'm already late for something."

There's another pause, and for a moment, I think he's going to hang up. But then he asks, "Have you heard anything? Any news about her, or... threats?

My mind goes blank. What is he talking about? And why is he asking me this?

"Alex, what are you on about?" I ask, exasperated. I'm tired of his games, tired of the way he always seems to know exactly which buttons to press.

"It's about Ivory," he says quickly, his voice low and urgent.

My heart skips a beat. Ivory. Just the name makes my stomach twist with anger. "You're the last person I want to hear from about her," I snap. "Especially after what you did. I thought you'd never bring this up again."

"I know, Si, I know," Alex says, his voice placating. "But I need your help. I've been getting these calls, texts from unknown numbers... they're all about Ivory."

I raise an eyebrow, despite myself. What could Alex possibly have to do with Ivory now? "What kind of calls?"

"They're telling me to meet someone at the park," Alex says. "At first, I ignored them, but... it's getting too much. They know things, Si. Things only we know."

My mind is racing. What could Alex have gotten himself into? And why is he coming to me for help? "Why should I care?" I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Because... because I need your help, Si," he says, his voice laced with desperation. "I need to find out who's behind these calls, these texts. And I need to know... did you ever tell anyone about what happened?"

I laugh, a harsh sound. "You think I'd ever breathe a word about that?"

"Si, please," Alex says, his voice cracking. "I'm begging you. Help me figure out who's doing this."

Unfortunately, my anger and hurt win out. "No, Alex. I'm not going to help you. You're on your own."

With that, I hang up the phone, my heart racing with emotions. I'm not going to get pulled back into his drama, not after everything he's put me through. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering feelings . I have to get to Janae's, focus on something else. Anything else.

As I walk to Janae's, my mind keeps drifting back,

"Breaking news, we have reports of a tragic incident in Oakwood Park, where the body of a 16-year-old girl was discovered last night. The victim has been identified as Ivory Jones. According to authorities, Ivory's body was found with multiple bruises and lacerations, indicating a violent struggle. The coroner's preliminary report suggests that the cause of death was excessive bleeding from a severe skull fracture."