twin chaos

chapter 6

The halls of Saint Jude’s were dead silent when I walked in, but the silence didn't last. Seconds later, the whispering started.

"Is that her?"

"I thought she was in the hospital."

"Why did she even come back?"

I kept my head down, shoulders hunched, holding my notebook tightly against my chest. I made my breathing quick and shallow, pretending my heart was racing from fear. Every step was a performance, and I was giving them the exact girl they expected to see: helpless, terrified Aurelia.

I stopped at my locker, my hands trembling as I pretended to struggle with the combination.

"Well, well. Look who dragged herself back to school."

Vanna’s voice dripped from behind me. I turned around slowly, shrinking back against the cold steel lockers. Vanna stood there with her phone in hand, flanked by Mia and Chloe. A few feet away, Jeremiah was leaning against the wall, watching with a cold, bored expression.

"I... I just came to get my class notes," I stammered, making my voice soft and raspy. I looked right at Jeremiah, throwing in a brief, desperate look. He just turned his head away.

"You really have no shame, do you?" Vanna stepped closer, towering over me. "After the video, after everything... you should have stayed hiding in your bed. Nobody wants a slut here."

"Please, Vanna," I whimpered, letting a tiny tear slip down my cheek. "I won't get in your way. Just leave me alone."

Mia laughed, snapping a quick picture of my teary face. "She's actually crying again. Pathetic."

"Listen to me, you little freak," Vanna whispered, leaning in close so only I could hear. "If you don't drop out by Friday, I'm releasing the rest of the videos from that bathroom. Do you understand me?"

I nodded quickly, clutching my pink sweater to my chest. "Okay... okay, I understand."

"Good girl," Vanna sneered, slapping my cheek with just enough force to make a sharp sound before turning on her heel and walking away with her group.

I stayed slumped against the locker until their laughter faded down the hall. Then, slowly, I wiped the single tear off my cheek.

My hand moved to the bottom hem of my cardigan. When Vanna had leaned in close, my fingers had seamlessly slipped a tiny, button-sized recording device right into the pocket of her designer blazer.

I walked quietly to the library, slid into an isolated corner booth, and pulled out my phone. I plugged in my hidden earpiece and flipped on the audio feed.

Vanna’s voice came through crystal clear, laughing with Mia in the courtyard.

"Did you see her face? She was practically shaking," Mia said.

"She's weak," Vanna replied. "By the way, did you make sure the money for the midterms got sent to Mr. Harrison's account? He said if the transfer doesn't clear by tonight, he won't leak the exam answers to us."

"Yeah, Chloe handled it," Mia said. "Though she was panicking because her dad's accountant is starting to track her allowances."

I leaned back against the leather seat, a cold smile spreading across my lips.

Cheating on major exams using bribed faculty, and a weak link named Chloe who was already terrified of getting caught stealing from her own father.

I tapped my screen, pulling up a secure encrypted file on my laptop. I didn't need to slap Vanna back. I didn't need to raise my voice. I just needed to pull one single thread, and her entire empire would tear itself apart from the inside.

I glanced out the library window. Down in the courtyard, Vanna was holding court, totally clueless that her time was already running out.

I adjusted my pink cardigan, pulled my books close, and smiled my sweet, innocent smile.

The game had officially begun.