Blue Ticks

Eight: Multiple Threads

The morning after the party, my head still buzzed with memories I couldn’t shake. Maya’s steamy kiss with Tyler against the wall. Kai’s fingers brushing my cheek on the porch. The almost-kiss that left me restless all night. I sat on my bed with my laptop open, the Blue Tick dashboard glowing in the dim light of my room.

IceQueen17 had been relentless.

Request – $180

Sender: IceQueen17

Target: Kai Rivera

Message: “Behind the arena after Friday’s game. Come alone. I have something important to tell you about us. Don’t ignore me again.”

Three requests from her in the last week alone. All aimed at Kai. It was getting obsessive, and it made my skin crawl.

But she wasn’t the only one.

Request – $60

Sender: BookNerd42

Target: Sarah Patel (Locker 89)

Message: “I know you’re the one who stole my chemistry notes. Return them by Friday or everyone sees the photos from last summer’s party.”

Request – $90

Sender: AnonymousJock

Target: Tyler Brooks

Message: “Watch your back at the next game. Someone on the team is gunning for your spot.”

Request – $250

Sender: ShadowTeacher

Target: Coach Ramirez

Message: “I know about the payments you’ve been taking from college scouts. Drop the extra ‘special training sessions’ or the athletic director gets proof.”

My stomach dropped, a staff member. This was escalating fast.

I accepted all of them. The money was too tempting, especially the big one for Coach Ramirez. $250 could cover groceries and part of Mom’s next prescription.

By the time I got to school, the hallways felt heavier. I delivered BookNerd42’s note during morning break, slipping it into Sarah’s locker without anyone noticing. Then I headed to the photography darkroom during my free period, hoping for some peace.

Maya was already there, editing photos with a dreamy smile on her face.

“So… you and Tyler?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

Maya’s cheeks turned pink. “It’s new, but… yeah. Last night was intense. I didn’t expect him to be so… passionate.” She fanned herself dramatically. “That kiss against the wall? I still feel it.”

I laughed softly. “I saw. You two were basically glued together.”

She grinned. “We’re meeting after school today. He said he wants to take me somewhere quieter than a crowded party.” Her eyes sparkled. “Enough about me. What about you and Kai on the porch? It looked like you were two seconds away from kissing.”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Just talking. Nothing happened.”

Maya didn’t look convinced, but she let it drop.

The darkroom door opened suddenly.

Kai stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The red light cast dramatic shadows across his sharp jawline and stormy eyes. He looked tense.

“Lila,” he said, voice low. “Got a minute?”

Maya winked at me and slipped out. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”

The small room suddenly felt very intimate. Kai leaned against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest. His hockey hoodie stretched tight across his shoulders.

“Another note,” he said without preamble. “From IceQueen17 again. She’s getting bolder. Wants to meet me after Friday’s game.” He ran a hand through his messy dark hair. “And there was one about Tyler too. This is getting out of control.”

I kept my face neutral, though guilt twisted inside me. “Have you told anyone?”

“Not yet. I’m trying to figure out who’s behind it.” He stepped closer, eyes searching mine. “You were at the party last night. Did you see anything suspicious? Anyone acting weird around me or Tyler?”

“No,” I lied. “But I’ll keep an eye out.”

Kai studied me for a long moment, then his expression softened. “You always do. I don’t know why, but I feel like I can trust you, Lila. Even when I barely know you.”

The air between us thickened. He moved even closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My back pressed against the counter. His stormy gray-blue eyes dropped to my lips.

“Lila…” he whispered, voice rough.

This time, there was no party noise to interrupt us. No Maya bursting in. Just the red glow of the darkroom and the pounding of my heart.

Kai cupped my face gently with one hand, his thumb brushing my cheek. The touch sent sparks down my spine. He leaned in slowly, giving me time to pull away.

I didn’t.

His lips met mine soft at first, then deeper, more urgent. The kiss was everything I’d been trying not to imagine. Warm, intense, and full of the tension that had been building since the first time he noticed me. I grabbed the front of his hoodie, pulling him closer. For a few stolen minutes, there were no secrets, no Blue Ticks, no threats. Just Kai and the way he made me feel seen.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for days,” he murmured.

I smiled shakily, still dizzy. “Me too.”

But reality crashed back quickly. My phone buzzed in my pocket, another notification.

Kai noticed. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just Maya.”

He kissed me once more, slower this time, before stepping back. “Think about Friday’s game. I want you there.”

After he left, I leaned against the counter, touching my lips. The kiss had been incredible.

And incredibly dangerous.

That afternoon, I delivered the threatening note to Coach Ramirez’s office door, heart pounding the entire time. Targeting a teacher felt like crossing a major line.

Later, while biking home, I spotted Sienna Caldwell near the arena again. She was on her phone, glancing around suspiciously. When she saw me, she smirked and walked away.

Was she IceQueen17? The excessive requests targeting Kai made her the top suspect.

Back home, after helping with dinner and making sure Leo was okay, I checked the app one last time.

A new request had come in.

Request – $200

Sender: NewClient99

Target: Sienna Caldwell

Message: “Stay away from Kai or everyone finds out what really happened at last year’s away game.”

The threads were multiplying, apparently everyone had secrets.

And I was delivering all of them.