Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter Eleven: The Clique

The next day, I was determined to find Kyle and uncover more about his relationship with Samarra. I was walking down the crowded hallway, scanning the faces around me, when someone suddenly blocked my path. It was Chloe, a hesitant look on her face.

"Hey, Alessa," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Can we talk?"

I frowned, unsure of what to expect. "Sure," I replied cautiously.

Chloe glanced around nervously before speaking. "I wanted to apologize for what happened at the Halloween party. It was out of line, and I'm really sorry."

I was taken aback by her apology. "It's okay," I said, though my tone was uncertain.

Chloe took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something difficult. "I also wanted to invite you to join my clique. I know it might seem weird after everything, but I think you'd fit in with us. What do you say?"

Every instinct in me screamed that this was a bad idea, but a part of me knew that being close to Chloe and her friends might help me find out more about Samarra's death. Reluctantly, I nodded. "Okay, I'll give it a shot."

Chloe's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Great! Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone."

She led me to their usual table in the cafeteria. As we approached, I saw Brad, Kyle, Monica, and Amber sitting together, chatting and laughing. Chloe gestured for me to sit next to her.

"Everyone, this is Alessa," Chloe announced. "Alessa, meet Brad, my boyfriend; Kyle, Brad's best friend; Monica, my best friend; and Amber, my childhood best friend."

I smiled politely as I took my seat. Brad, Chloe's boyfriend, was handsome and charming, though I couldn't help but notice the way he glanced at Amber every now and then. Kyle, the playboy, gave me a flirtatious wink, which I ignored. Monica, who was Kyle's ex-girlfriend and a lesbian, offered me a friendly nod. Amber seemed nice enough, though I sensed there was more to her than met the eye.

"So, Alessa," Brad said, leaning forward with a grin. "What do you think of Bell Town so far?"

"It's different," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "But I'm getting used to it."

Kyle smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Different is one way to put it. This place can be a real drag sometimes."

Chloe shot him a look. "Don't listen to him, Alessa. There's plenty to do if you know where to look."

As the conversation continued, I tried to gather as much information as I could about each of them. Brad seemed confident and in control. Kyle was as flirtatious as ever, his playboy reputation evident in the way he interacted with everyone. Monica, despite being Chloe's best friend, had a no-nonsense attitude that I appreciated. Amber was harder to read, making me wary of her intentions.

"Hey, Alessa," Kyle said suddenly, breaking into my thoughts. "How about you join us for lunch tomorrow? We're planning to hang out at the old gym."

"Sure," I said, forcing a smile. "Sounds fun."

As lunch ended and we all went our separate ways, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping into a web of secrets and lies. But if joining Chloe's clique brought me closer to the truth about Samarra, then it was worth the risk. For now, I had to play along and see where this new path would lead me.1