Instigators

Chapter T W E N T Y - T H R E E

        Tiana's POV

Tario's hands were wrapped snugly around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. My chest was now pressed against his as he deepened our kiss. I ran my hands through his hair without even realizing it. It was like a bad habit for me now. I loved his hair and I didn't know why.

"I want to take you right here, but that would be wrong." He whispered in my ear. I glanced around at the scattered students in the courtyard. No one was really paying attention to us, but I'm sure they would if we did something else.

"That would be very, very wrong. But there's always after school." I winked. He started to suck on my neck and sensation settled in me. I moaned quietly, not wanting to draw too much attention to us.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Roxy waved shyly, "But Tiana can I talk to you?"

I abruptly pulled away from Tario's lips and faked a cough, not like it would help anything. I felt my cheeks heat up, but realized I wasn't the only embarrassed one. Roxy was blushing a bright red and seemed to swallow a lump in her throat.

As much as I wanted to stay glued to Tario, Roxy looked anxious and it scared me a little bit. The last time she looked this anxious, she had opened up to me about Miley jumping her.

"I'll be right back." I patted Tario's chest and walked to an empty space with Roxy.

She seemed a bit nervous to say whatever she needed to tell me. I stood and studied her, waiting for her to say something.

"Beth is going to out Miley on the Instigators today." She finally said. Her voice was really low and I almost missed it. Immediately, my heart started to thump faster.

"Do you know when?" I asked in a whisper. I glanced around to make sure no one was listening.

She shook her head but then gestured towards her left, "I think now."

I looked to see Beth climbing on top of a table and shouting to everyone.

"I need you to do me a big favor. I'm going to stream this live. Go record this from the nearest window. Do not get caught." I shoved my phone in my hands. I prayed that this would work.

Miley pulled into a parking space and I ran to her car.

"I think Beth is about to tell everyone so I have a plan. All I need you to do is deflect her." I said to her. Her eyes went wide but she nodded and confidently walked towards the crowd. I followed, but peeled off to stand under Tario's arm.

"Listen up, everyone! The real instigator amongst us is Miley Evans! She runs the website." Beth shouted. Whispers traveled through the crowd.

"That's not true!" Miley said over everyone. People looked confused.

"Give me your phone." I said to Tario. I didn't wait for a reply as I took it out his pocket and unlocked it. I went to the Instigators website.

"If Miley is the Instigator, then how is she streaming you right now?" I asked loudly. People pulled out their phones and went to the website.

"Liar! Liar! Liar!" the crowd started to chant.

"What, no! I know she is!" she shrieked and pointed to Miley.

"I told you it's not me." Miley shrugged, innocently. I smiled and started to chant with the crowd. We were safe...for now.

Beth became flushed and stormed away. The crowd died down a bit. Most of the people went back to talking amongst themselves, but I knew they were talking about Beth.

"I didn't think Miley was the one behind that website." Tario held my hand as we walked inside the school building.

"I would know if she was." I said. I felt bad for lying to him, but it was what I had to do to protect myself. Once school was over, this would all be over too. I wouldn't have to lie or keep secrets anymore.