The Whisper Seekers

Inside Our Heads

The next morning, I dread going into biology so I intentionally walk in late to avoid the weird seating dynamics that are bound to happen. That and the guilt of kissing someone other than Derek finally found its way to my stomach and I felt horrible all the way to school this morning. I know for a fact that if I found out Derek kissed another girl, I would be both hurt and livid.

When I push the classroom door open, I see Harper sitting in the corner, three rows away from Liam and Derek is in his usual spot. I want to avoid Derek as long as possible today or at least until my guilt subsides- but that may never happen.

I can tell Harper took extra time getting ready this morning, as there is not one fly away on her sleek straightened hair. She also applied so much bronzer she might be mistaken for a traffic cone.

The only seat now open is the one nearest the door in the back row, which is what I had hoped for. No one sees me come in, so I slink into my seat silently. I realize Liam and I have a luxury no one else has, and that's the ability to have an entire conversation without speaking a word out loud. I call out to him, trying to shout in my head. LIAM! He whips his head around and scans the room looking for me. He spots me and nods, I was wondering where you were.

Derek notices Liam looking to the back of the room and his gaze follows. Liam meets my face, smiles, and then immediately faces the front. Derek then winks at me and then stares down his rival. When Liam finally notices, Derek glares at him and focuses back on the board.

Don't worry about Derek.  Now that both of us are on the same page and fully aware that something fishy is going on, I need to figure out who I don't have on my seating chart. Let's start figuring this potential mess out. I pull out the paper from French class that has the chart I created and review who I already have listed. Liam and I scan the room and I jot down missing names.

Ellie! See the kid in the back row. Three seats over from you. I've seen him before. He's been in the vision. I spot the kid and recognize him as the guy Liam picked out on the wall of English honor students, the one with hollow eyes and a bored expression. I've had classes with him before but I can't remember his name. I focus on all the student's thoughts that are around me, but I'm not picking up anything unusual. I instantly spot Harper's since she is the one obsessing over Liam.

Why did he cancel our date? Should I approach him after class? Was Molly lying when she said she saw him with Ellie last night? Why can't she stay away from him? He doesn't like her. It's so obvious. I try and get Liam's attention again.

I'm not noticing anything weird today. He scans the room again and shakes his head at me.

Me either. But I do know I am going to have to deal with Harper after class. Should I tell her that I do indeed like you and that we kissed so we can see her combust on the spot? I grin to myself and cover my mouth with my hand so no one else can see. The Derek guilt and the Liam butterflies are having a war in my stomach and I won't let them determine a victor.

We spend the entire class talking to each other completely missing the lesson and not finding any more clues about who's bringing a gun to school. When the bell rings, I take my time packing up while Derek wastes no time finding me to grill me about what happened this weekend.

"So I heard a funny rumor that you went on a date with Liam. I had to laugh because obviously, that's not true. I know you'd never do that behind your boyfriend's back," he says pointedly. If only he knew. He puts his arm around me and escorts me out of class.

"I spent the weekend in bed, Derek. You can ask my mom if you don't believe me. Harper is still pissed about Friday night so she's spreading rumors to get back at me." I lie.

She better not be lying. She better not be hanging around Liam alone. I try harder to convince him.

"Derek, I wouldn't lie to you okay? Seriously, ask my mom if you don't believe me." I try to downplay it, act as if this conversation is completely ridiculous. That and I know my mom would just tell him whatever I told her to, so I'm not worried if he actually tries. He leans down to kiss me so he must have bought my story. His kiss begins to feel like he's trying to push himself through my face, to the point of hurting me.

"You're mine Ellie Adler and I hope he knows that," he says as he wipes my pink lip-gloss off that's now smudged all over his lips. He walks down the hall to meet up with Mike and I see Liam standing ahead of me, talking with other classmates. I find that he is looking extra gorgeous today in an ocean blue tee that makes his eyes pop and it makes my guilt feel heavier. When he meets my gaze, the disappointed look splashed across his face tells me he saw Derek kiss me. He goes back to talking to the people next to him and I slowly start to make my way over.

I wonder if he thought I would so quickly break things off with Derek? I'm still feeling Liam out, so I'm not ready to break off my year relationship with Derek yet. I am extremely comfortable with Derek. Liam and I...well there's still a lot to get to know before I can be fully comfortable. He's still very much a mystery.  Harper catches Liam off guard and he looks frightened.

"Hey Liam, how are you today?" She asks all peppy and leans in for a hug. She awkwardly places her arms around him but his arms stay pinned to his sides.

"I'm sad about our date on Saturday," she says with a dramatic frown, "Maybe you can make it up to me this weekend?" I interrupt before he can answer.

"Hey Harp, I'm so sorry I never called you back yesterday. I was so sick in bed all weekend, must have been the alcohol. You know I'm never good with hangovers." I'm talking quickly and awkwardly, but I look back to Liam and try to play casual, "Oh hey Liam, how was your weekend?" His eyes dart between Harper and me.

"Pretty lame actually. I just had to help my mom unpack our house and stuff. Moving took it out of me."

"What'd you move?" Lily asks as she pops out of nowhere and Harper is now beyond annoyed that her alone time with Liam was interrupted.

"My house. I helped my mom finally unpack this weekend," Liam replies and Lily hooks her arm around Harper's.

"Oh, is that why you had to cancel on Harper on Saturday at the last minute?" Lily snaps and I know she's trying to be the protective friend, but Harper doesn't want the tension.

"Yeah actually, my mom needed help so I had to stay home," Liam cautiously replies and looks to me for help. Get them away! I'm getting ambushed.

"Well we have to go to gym, so we'll see you around maybe." I hint towards Lily while Harper attempts a more natural hug around Liam before following us to gym.