SECRET OF RAVENSWOOD HIGH

SEVEN:WEB OF DECEITS

JULIAN

I stood before the woman I never once understood. She masked her emotions really well, yet I couldn't fathom why she wanted to hide the truth so badly. For the school's respect? I got it, but this was too much.

"I need you to watch that boy; we need to stop him at all costs," Mrs. Victoria Taylor said in a low tone.

"Yes, ma'am!" I said with my head bowed.

"Your voice is wavering; are you doubting now?" she asked, hovering over me.

"No, ma'am!"

"Better! You know better than anyone not to withdraw now," she strengthened, and I nodded.

"I don't mind inflicting a little pain on him if that will stop him!" she said, and I looked up immediately.

"You don't want to do it?" she asked in a menacing tone.

"No!... I will do it," I said with a shaky voice.

"Good! Now leave," she commanded, and I turned immediately out of her office.

Many thoughts ran through my mind. If I don't do this, she will, and her doing it will be brutal. I know how desperate she is and how she will go any length to cover the truth. Should I betray Mrs. Taylor and support Jordan? At least if the truth is out, everyone will be free, but at the same time, some secrets are best left hidden.

I was walking to class when I spotted Jordan; I looked at him chatting with his friend, with pity in my eyes. He looked my way, and our eyes locked; all I could tell him was to be careful. Just then, I thought about the lost lives, shattered families, and broken promises. For a second, I got the urge to go over to him and tell him all I know, but my life might be on the line too. I sighed heavily and went to class.

JADEN

I saw Heather and Jordan enter the class, their faces pale as if frightened. They didn't say a word to each other and just went to sit in their places. Something is definitely wrong somewhere. I suddenly got curious to know what they found that got them perplexed, but then I remembered what I went through and decided to keep mute.

MRS. CHEN

I recounted the memories, those good times when I had my husband and two sons in my arms. They are my treasures; I tried keeping my family upright, but then he went wild in the quest for fame and money! He betrayed me! After everything, staying through thick and thin, and going through the narrow path of death to have our sons. It ain't fair! Now my life is shattered, with my treasures gone.

I fumed in fury, how dare he?! I'll make him pay! I smashed the mug I was holding against the table amidst hot tears streaming down my face, hoping it would bring relief.

"I hate you, Lincoln!!" I shouted and groaned for a while, and then I remembered Jordan, how he stayed despite being a thorn in his skin, and how bad of a mother I've been. I shook my head and bent down immediately to pack the broken ceramic.

"He shouldn't meet me like this again! He didn't deserve this," I rushed to pack it with tears still running down my face. Then, a broken piece pierced my hand, and blood gushed out. I swear it hurts, but I have to pack this. I can't hurt him again.

VICTORIA TAYLOR

Her gaze is wavering, wavering too much that I'm afraid of what's going through her mind. What if she betrays me? No! She can't, but at the same time, I can't trust her completely; I have to be cautious and be on my guard before the unthinkable happens. The school means a lot to me, and I can't let any harm come to it, or else Malcolm won't forgive me, even in his grave.

HEATHER

I was in the dining room with my family, taking dinner, but I couldn't get my mind off all that's happening. I wasn't eating really, just picking at it, and my dad noticed.

"Is something wrong, princess?"

"What's wrong, Heather?" my mom added.

"Mom, nothing is wrong. She's thinking about her boyfriend," my brother chimed in.

"Xavier! Don't say that about my princess," my dad defended me, and that got me smiling.

"I'm fine, Dad, just not hungry," I said.

"Manage to eat a few spoons," Mom urged, and I did take a few spoons before I retired to my room.

This only happens in movies, and I can't believe I'm going through this chaotic enigma. Now, who is Malcolm Taylor? I haven't heard that in the history of Ravenswood. For a teacher who died like that, especially in the walls of the school, he should be remembered eternally. How come his name disappeared like that? Shouldn't he be a legend? But wait, his name is Malcolm Taylor. Taylor???? The principal is Victoria Taylor; can that be her husband??? Everyone knows she's married, but no one knows her husband. Rumors have it that they were divorced, some said her husband ran away due to her overbearing attitude.

How can it be? Malcolm is Victoria's husband, but she kept the life of her husband a secret. Why? If truly he is her husband and she is hiding him like this, his death is not an accident then. What if all these are just a coincidence, and I'm just overthinking?

I stood up from my bed and picked up my backpack, slowly bringing out Malcolm's file. I want to check if I can find anything about his spouse. I flipped through it, but I couldn't find anything. I put it back in my bag and laid on my bed.

There was a knock on my door; the person entered without permission. No one else will do that except Xavier.

"What do you want, Xavier?" I asked, dragging my voice in a frustrating manner.

"You're thinking about Jordan, right?"

"What!! Are you crazy?" I laughed as I grabbed my pillow.

"Don't you dare hit me with that pillow," he said, standing up slowly.

I laughed and hit him with the pillow; he grabbed another pillow and hit me. We laughed out loud as we played, but deep down, I hope none of this won't hurt my loved ones.