Secrets in the Spotlight

Step one: make more friends

"Hun, why do you keep zoning out?" Kylie's energetic voice broke through my foggy thoughts.

"I didn't sleep," I murmured, lifting my head from the desk. The exhaustion weighed on me, making it hard to focus.

"Girls, if you keep chatting, I'll have to send you out of my lesson!" the old science teacher barked. His voice, gruff and weary, seemed to echo the deep lines under his eyes and the sagging of his belly. "Anyway, everyone get into groups of five for today's lesson. I've planned something a bit more exciting for you," he added, though his monotone expression hardly conveyed any excitement.

He turned and shuffled back to his desk as the class began to form their groups.

Kylie and I exchanged a look, our silent communication clear—there was no doubt we'd work together. We stood up, and while Kylie began to assess who else to include, I felt a pang of uncertainty. It was only my second week at this school, and I barely knew anyone.

Almost immediately, three girls approached us, each exuding a bold, confident air. The girl on the left was petite, her wavy brunette hair bouncing with each step and fiery auburn eyes that seemed to spark with mischief. The girl in the center had striking dark red hair that fell straight to her chest, her cat-like eyes locking onto mine with an intense gaze. The girl on the right had long, dirty brown hair and hazel eyes; she was the least conspicuous of the trio, though still radiated an undeniable presence.

Kylie and I exchanged another subtle glance. I could already sense a tension in the air, a subtle undercurrent of something unspoken.

"Let's all work together," Kylie declared with her usual enthusiasm, attempting to diffuse the charged atmosphere. Her cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the awkwardness I felt, and I couldn't help but wonder if her invitation was a way to signal that everything was fine, even if it wasn't.

As we settled around a slightly larger desk, we unfolded the A2 sheet filled with science questions that each of us was supposed to answer individually. Yet, it quickly became clear that none of the girls—Kylie included—seemed genuinely interested in the assignment.

I chose a seat next to Kylie, partly because I felt more comfortable with her and partly because the presence of the other girls made me uneasy, despite my attempts to project confidence. The trio had an air of popularity, the way they moved through the corridors with an effortless grace that suggested they were accustomed to being the center of attention.

The girl with the dark red hair—Melanie—flashed a smile at me. I couldn't quite discern if it was sincere or a façade.

"Hey, I'm Melanie," she introduced herself with an airy, laid-back energy that matched her narrow, relaxed eyes. She pointed to the girl with the dirty-blond hair. "That's Ruby, and the other one is Brianna."

Before I could fully absorb their names, a short, grey-haired woman, who often lingered around the office area, entered the room.

"Hello, I'm here for Kylie Santiago," she announced quietly to the class. Kylie looked up, a mixture of confusion and curiosity on her face.

"I don't know why she's collecting me, but I'll tell you later," Kylie said, her usual cheerful demeanor intact as she waved goodbye to the table before following the woman out of the room.

As soon as the door closed behind Kylie, Brianna's voice cut through the silence. "Do you want to hang out with us at lunch? You're so pretty, you know!" she said, her tone almost monotone. I glanced up, slightly taken aback by her forwardness and the fact that she seemed somewhat emotionally distant despite the compliment.

A mix of hesitation and excitement bubbled within me. Here was a chance to be part of the popular crowd, but there was something off about the dynamic between these girls and Kylie. I knew Kylie had had issues with girls like this before, especially after a drunken kiss that had caused quite a stir. Although we were friends, it felt like a tightrope walk—should I really let these girls in, or would it complicate things?