The Whisper Seekers

Ellie Hater

There was not one good opportunity for me to bring up the whole, I'm dating Liam and am a horrible friend thing the entire day we were at the mall. The whole time Harper was moping around craving sympathy for being dateless and I did not want to add on to her misery.

We still managed to do some retail therapy though, I picked out tall sparkly stilettos and we each picked something sparkly to wear in our hair. Lily kept texting pictures to Adam for approval on anything before she bought it; even though I know he could care less if her shoes are satin or glitter. I sent a simple text to Liam letting him know I was now officially ready for the dance and made sure Harper's eyes were nowhere near me when I did it.

By Monday, homecoming mania had hit our school with the first spirit day being pajama day. I walk into Biology class wearing yoga pants and a cute fitted t-shirt since cheerleaders are forced to participate in the entire spirit week, wearing pajamas on Monday, crazy hair on Tuesday, hats on Wednesday, backward clothing on Thursday and school colors on Friday. I see that Liam did not participate today and he raises an eyebrow at me as I take a seat next to him.

"I happen to know that that's not what you wear for pajamas," he jokes and I roll my eyes at him.

"Well that's a secret between you and I isn't it?" I nudge him in the ribs trying to cause minimal pain and Harper sneaks up behind me.

"Hey, Ellie! Hi Liam," she says as she pulls a chair up next to me. Liam and I exchange warning looks. She still doesn't know about us so don't do anything that will make her suspicious I warn him and he puts his hands up. I don't want her to beat me up he jokes and I find it funny that we both came to the same conclusion about what she'll do when she finds out.

Derek staggers into class and eyes the two of us sitting together. He takes a seat across the room from me and puts his arm around a girl he's never even noticed before. It was nice not to have him around last week but now that their suspension is over, the awkwardness is obviously back. Liam glances over and Derek glares back. I am glad there is an entire classroom between them. Don't let him get to you Liam I tell him and he breaks off his death glare.

Class starts and Mrs. Hagar starts handing back our last two quizzes. When I receive mine, I immediately flip them over embarrassed by the grades. The first one I forgot to answer the last five questions and the second I was caught cheating. Now I have to ace all the others to make sure I pass the class.

Don't worry I'll help you out Liam elbows me and I see big red A's at the top of his two papers. Derek obnoxiously fist pumps when he gets his tests back and I seriously can't believe I dated him for as long as I did. Now every little thing he does is going to make me cringe.

I scan the room and notice Ian is missing. I glance over to Liam and he notices the empty chair as well.

Check if Marissa is in your French class today I nod and look back up to Mrs. Hager, who has already started the next lesson. She makes us draw partners for our lab and we are all split up until the bell rings. I walk back to my original desk to grab my book bag and glance one last time at Ian's empty chair, hoping it remains that way for the rest of the week.

************

Ian remains missing until Wednesday and when he shows back up to class, he looks awful. His eyes looked hollow before, but now, large dark circles sit under them, making him look even paler. His hair looks greasy and he should have taken advantage of Hat day.

I adjust my backward baseball hat and immediately listen to his thoughts as he scans the classroom.

How did anyone know? Who here is a rat? At least Marissa's cover was actually believable. It's not hard to make anyone believe that we're larpers. What a fucking joke.