Posing as Popular | On Hold

Chapter 6

"What are you doing here?" Chaise gasped when she saw Lydia sitting with Mei. Mei shrugged.

"She attended Camp Skyfall. Figure might as well give her a shot, right?" Mei winked at Lydia. Chaise huffed.

"Fine."

"I love your hair Chaise," Lydia said with a bright smile. Then she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Oh, and don't tell anyone, but I think this would look beautiful on you, not that you need it." She passed Chaise a small velvet box she'd pretended to find "in her locker". In reality, she'd brought a box of props with her and snuck it from her backpack to her locker when she stopped by to grab her money with Mei.

"Oh, um," Chaise looked like she was contemplating shoving it back at Lydia, but curiosity got the better of her and she opened it. "Oh. Wow. Um, thanks Cara," she muttered, her gaze focused on the diamond barrette resting in the box. She clipped it into her hair and admired herself in the little mirror that came with it. Chaise pulled out her phone and started snapping selfies, dragging Mei in with her. Lydia took the opportunity to check her own phone. She'd felt a buzz and knew it had to be from Agent Sierra. Sure enough, it was a string of texts coming from Agent Sierra's fake identity.

MOM: We'll bring something over for you to give to Chaise.

MOM: I'm watching you but don't try to find me.

MOM Good job. Where'd you get the barrette.

Lydia checked that Chaise was still focused on her reflection and sent a quick text back before stuffing her phone away, knowing the string would delete itself in a couple minutes.

CARA LYDIA: Contingencies 😀

"Oh hi! You must be Cara! Adrianna told us all about you." Lydia groaned inwardly at that statement and looked up. Standing in front of her was possibly one of the shortest juniors she'd ever seen.

This girl wore funky tie-dyed overalls and ankle boots, but she was probably only up to Lydia's chin - and this was in heels.

"Hi," she said, trying not to stare at the girl.

"I'm Willow and this is Jess."

Lydia had been so busy staring at Willow that she'd failed to notice the regular girl standing next to her. Adrianna seemed to have appeared too, a glass of juice in her hand. Compared to Willow, Adrianna suddenly seemed scary.

"Oh, hi," Jess said suspiciously. Lydia could feel her eying her and shifted nervously.

"Hey." She raised a hand and waved, then sat on her hands.

"C'mon, let's go get food," Jess huffed. Adrianna sat down by Lydia.

"So. How are you liking Chestnut High?"

"Well, the girls here sure are nice," Lydia chirped. Adrianna smiled.

"Glad you're enjoying it. You might not be here long."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lydia questioned.

Adrianna shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. Some new students leave shortly. But I don't really know what I'm talking about, now do I?" She let out a fake-sounding laugh, then she leaned in to whisper something to Lydia that sent shivers down her spine.

"You're not who you say you are."