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 open the classroom door, my eyes immediately land on Harper sitting in the back corner, three rows away from Liam. Derek's in his usual seat, lounging like the plastic and metal are actually comfortable. I instinctively slow my steps, hoping to avoid Derek for as long as possible—or at least until the weight of my guilt stops pressing so hard on my chest. Which might be never.

Harper, on the other hand, clearly came ready for battle. Her straightened hair is so smooth it could double as silk, not a single strand out of place. She's glowing—literally. The bronzer she applied is so heavy, she's practically radiating like a reflective traffic cone. Every inch of her screams effort, from the sharp wing of her eyeliner to the glossy nude lip she keeps checking in her phone screen.

She hasn't looked my way yet, but I can already feel the chill in the air. I exhale and make my way toward my seat, bracing myself for the long class ahead.

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 glance toward the back of the room, and like a reflex, his gaze follows. His eyes land on me just as Liam gives me a quick, flirty smile. Then, just as smoothly, Liam turns his attention back to the front of the room.

Derek sees the interaction. His lips curl into a slow, knowing smirk. Then he shifts his stare to Liam, his expression sharpening. Liam must sense it because a moment later, he glances Derek's way.

Their eyes lock, and the air between them thickens. Then, just as quickly, Derek looks back to the board, his jaw tight. I sit frozen in my seat, caught in the tension between two very different boys. 

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 have already listed. Liam and I scan the room as 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 students' 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 watch 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 out with Liam. I had to laugh it off because obviously, that's not true. Right?" he says pointedly. If only he knew. He puts his arm around me and escorts me out of class.

"What a lie," I lie. "I was in such deep shit with my mom over going to Piper's party, I wasn't allowed out all weekend. Harper is just pissed about what happened on Friday night, so she's spreading rumors to get back at me."

She better not be lying. He's side-eyeing me, so 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 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-long 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. My mom took my phone as punishment for going to Piper's." I'm talking quickly and awkwardly, but I look back at 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. I'm getting ambushed.

"Well, we have to go to gym class, so we'll see you around maybe?" I hint towards Lily while Harper attempts a more natural hug around Liam before following us down the hall. It takes everything in me not to look back.