Dear Lucy

Chapter 17 : The Truth About Zoey

As I stepped out of the school, I felt like I was under a microscope. Everyone seemed to be staring at me. I walked through the gate and stood outside, taking one last look at Oakland School. It was hard to believe that just two days ago, I had walked in for the first time, full of hope. Now, I was leaving with a suspension hanging over my head.

I didn't have my phone with me, so I couldn't call my brother for a ride. I decided to just keep walking. Maybe I'd visit my dad in the hospital and I could use some time with him.

As I walked, I heard the roar of a motorcycle behind me. I stopped and turned around as the bike pulled up beside me. The rider took off their helmet, revealing Xena's bright smile.

"Xena?" I asked, surprised.

She chuckled. "You didn't think I'd let you walk alone, did you?" She hopped off the bike and wrapped me in a tight hug. I hugged her back, feeling a lump form in my throat.

"It's okay, Lucy," she whispered. "We'll fix this together." I squeezed her harder, trying to hold back tears that refused to fall.

After our hug, Xena looked at me and then at the motorcycle, which I assumed was hers. "So, where do you want to go?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

Xena shrugged. "All the classes are boring." She hopped on the bike and handed me the other helmet. I took it, smiling.

"Anywhere you want to go," I said, putting on the helmet and climbing onto the bike behind her. Xena started the engine and took off, leaving me wondering who had taught her how to ride a motorcycle so skillfully.

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We arrived at a restaurant and as we ate, my mind kept drifting back to what Ethan had said.

"Hey Xena, can I ask you something?" I said, and she nodded, taking a bite of her burger.

"Who is Zoey?" I asked, and Xena paused, dropping her burger and looking at me with a sad expression.

"Zoey was a beautiful and ambitious girl," she said. "She was a scholarship student, and everyone loved her. But unfortunately, she died."

I was taken aback. "Died? How?" I asked.

Xena's voice was barely above a whisper. "I heard she was bullied, and she couldn't take it anymore. She committed suicide."

My eyes widened. "Bullied? Why was she bullied, and why didn't anyone do anything about it? Was she bullied by Tiffany and her friends?" I asked

Xena shook her head. "I don't know much about it, but yes, she was bullied by Tiffany. Everyone knows about it, and it still hurts me whenever I think about her."

She looked at me with determination. "I promised myself I wouldn't let anyone go through what Zoey did."

I wondered if that's why Xena was being so nice to me - because she didn't want me to end up like Zoey.

"Why can't the authorities or administrators do anything to stop Tiffany?" I asked. "I'm sure they know about the bullying."

Xena sighed, shaking her head.

"That's probably because Tiffany's parents are part of the school administration," Xena said, just as someone walked into the restaurant. I looked up to see the same girl who had lied about me earlier. As soon as she saw me, she rushed outside.

What was she doing outside of school anyway? I wondered.

"Excuse me, Xena," I said, getting up to chase after her. But when I got outside, she was nowhere to be found. Did she follow me here? I went back to the restaurant.

"Xena, do you know that girl?" I asked.

"Vee?" Xena replied.

"Is that her name?" I asked.

"I heard she was the one who framed you, so I did some research and found out her name is Vee," Xena explained.

"I found out that someone sent her to lie and frame me," I said.

"Really?" Xena asked

I nodded. "She refused to tell me, and now I think she's following me on purpose."

Xena frowned. "But who do you think would want to frame you on purpose?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But one thing was certain , the anonymous writer knew who was behind it. And then I remembered seeing someone who looked like Angelina at the party. Plus, Vee had mentioned "them," implying multiple people were involved.

I wondered if it were students whose parents were high up in the school's shareholder ranks and were capable of anything but who???

"Lucy, what are you thinking?" Xena asked, breaking into my thoughts.

"Uh, nothing really," I said, trying to brush it off. But I knew there was definitely something going on.