Danger Signs // Demi Lovato // 4

37. Was It Just Smoke And Mirrors

The next week at school was boring. Everyone was tired from staying up later than normal and having to readjust to waking up early again. Every person I saw seemed to either have dark circles under their eyes or were yawning nonstop. I was in the category that had dark circles and was yawning.

I had been thinking a lot about what Tess had said, getting her mom a pipe, and since Christmas was coming up, I didn't want Jay to be giftless. I had to get her something.

After school on Moday, I searched the web for pipes. I had no real idea about what Jay would want, so I ended up searching for hours on my phone, until Maia texted me saying she was on her way to get me.

Me: Where are we going?

Maia: To get food. I don't wanna cook

Me: Cool. See you soon

I dropped my phone on the bed, going to my closet to change shirts and grab a jacket. But it threw off the balance of the rest of my outfit, so I put on some heeled boots, picking up my phone and clearing my seach history.

I ran downstairs, sitting on the bottom step and waited, thinking about my gift idea. I couldn't risk Maia, or maybe even Demi, finding it and checking to see what I'd bought online. No, I had to be smart about this. Opening my texts, my eyes immediatly went to my chat with Paige.

Me: Hey, I have a favor to ask

Paige: Are you planning on hiding a dead body?

Me: wtf no. I want to get Jay a gift for xmas but it's something I can't exactly have deliverd to my house.

Paige: A dildo??????

Me: Jesus Christ woman

Paige: Ok sorry sorry. So you want it to be delivered here? What is it?

Me: I'd rather not say over text but I'm gonna have to go. Maia's picking me up soon.

Paige: Ok I'm sure I'll say yes. ttyl

I locked my phone, exhaling deeply.

Well, at least that was taken care of.

~//~//~//~//~//~//~

The next day in study hall, Paige started asking about my gift for Jay.

"Did you order it? I need to know when to expect it."

I shook my head. "I'll let you know."

She gave me a thumbs up, turning around, then spun back. "Oh, by the way, can you get Abby to do my hair this week? I need a change after everything that happened."

"I'll talk to her."

She grinned and turned around.

For the rest of the day, she was really quiet. She didn't want to do anything after school and barely smiled when I told her Abby had a free day over the weekend. She barely messaged the group chat and she had stopped wearing so much makeup. She wore a light foundation and some mascara and I noticed her lips looked chapped. Paige would never allow herself to go to school—or anywhere—like that.

The day before Abby was supposed to do her hair, I asked Jay if something was up with Paige.

"I don't know. I mean, see what you're talking about, but she's probably just trying to get over Dickhead and getting back into the routine of school. You know how it can be." She was over at my house, laying back on the bed.

I nodded. "There's something else." Jay shot up and I took a deep breath as her eyes widened with concern. "After you went home Saturday, I found blood in the sink and around it. And I know it wasn't me, and I really don't think it was you or Tess."