𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER FIVE

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JAXON
CRIST

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By the second day of school, the pretense was gone. Everyone dropped their façades, and it became clear who was there to learn and who was just there to stir up drama. The energy had shifted, and you could feel the tension rising in the air.

Yesterday, when I followed Liliana into the library, it wasn't just to escape the chaos of the classroom. I needed answers. Things between us had been weird—really weird—since last summer. We'd never been close, just mutual friends. Someone to nod at in the hallway, someone you'd acknowledge without any real conversation. But last summer, something changed. We ended up hanging out, just the two of us. And it was good, like really good. No awkward silences, no forced conversation—just easy. After that, I thought things might shift between us, but instead, she started avoiding me.

She avoided me too much for me not to notice. It wasn't subtle. She'd see me and go the other way. I'd walk into a room, and suddenly she'd be glued to her phone or talking to someone else. So, when I saw her slip away into the library yesterday, I followed.

I thought we could talk, maybe clear the intense air. But instead, we ended up fighting. Words got thrown around—nothing major, but enough to make it worse. Enough to make me wonder what the hell I did wrong.

I still don't know. But what I do know is that Liliana's avoiding me for a reason, and whatever that reason is, it's eating away at me.

Stella gathered her friends, drifting to our usual spot at the cafeteria table. Once again, Avery was missing—a silence that felt louder every time. Marcella, my younger sister, sat across from me, flashing an innocent smile. I nodded back, trying not to get sucked into her sweetness.

Liliana took her place beside Alessio, her lips curling into a smile that grated on my nerves. What the hell was she so happy about? I grunted under my breath as Stella slipped next to me, sliding her hand into mine, her grip possessive.

"How's my dear best friend doing?" Stella chirped, already focused on her phone, snapping a selfie of our intertwined hands.

"What the hell are you doing?" I muttered.

"Grayson's not here, so I'm messing with him. It's hilarious when he gets jealous," she smirked, eyes glittering with mischief.

I squinted at her. "You're so fucking stupid."

"Gee, thanks," she said, without missing a beat. "I'm the smartest one here." She turned her attention to the group, dropping her phone into her bag like the whole thing was irrelevant. "So, what should I wear to the party? Red or pink?"

"Nobody cares," Damon muttered, his tone void of interest.

Stella shot him the finger, undeterred. "Avery's favorite color is red, so it wouldn't make sense for me to wear it. Pink suits me better anyway. Besides, Avery already picked a red dress," Liliana chimed in, her voice almost too casual.

"Team pink," Marcella added, mouth full of sandwich. "What should I wear?"

I stared at my sister in disbelief. "Hell no."

"Daddy already said yes," Marcella retorted, her pout almost convincing.

"I don't give a damn what Dad said. It's my friend's party, not his."

Marcella's eyes gleamed with that unsettling mischief. "Maybe I'll tell Dad who really caused the fire in East Manhattan last Halloween."

The silence was instantaneous, all eyes on her. Evil was beginning to seep into her, and everyone felt it. She was becoming a devil for sure. I groaned. "Fine. But no dresses. I swear, you wear a dress, I'll drag you home."