Another week has passed since the party. While things seems to have winded down for the time being, this doesn't mean the storm has passed. I have to be even more careful because the remaining members of The Burden of Breaking Hearts will make sure to come up with even worse plans.

It's obvious that Peri and Brix are no longer part of it. Rumors about them being kicked out the day after the party spread, and they do seem plausible. Like, the club was so ruthless to push them away immediately without waiting until Monday at least. It happened exactly the same to me.

Little do they know, their ejection has caused major disarray. They keep believing everything is going perfectly and they're just getting rid of dead wood. I don't think this is a valid enough excuse. They're crumbling but won't admit it.

While my ex friends are still wary of me and avoid talking to me in fear of retaliation from Tre, Ashlea, Meghan or the others, they have to accept that I'm the only one who can keep them from becoming more and more irrelevant in the social ladder.

This is why, as I wave at them to sit together at lunch, they stare at me in shock. Brix even shrieks. "Are you crazy? We all have eyes on us. Do you realize how dangerous is for us to hang out together?" I get she still has a hard time around me, but it's time to move on and work together to take down the enemy.

At least, Peri is more reasonable. "Brix, keep it down! Rieleigh isn't dangerous, your shrieking is. Sit down!" Brix does as she told as she takes a seat opposite me, her head low and her mouth zipped. Peri sits between the two of us.

Our table is isolated enough not to attract too much unnecessary attention; however, we can never be too sure of what goes on around us. Apart from video security, which is customary in the school's premises, we have to be careful about prying eyes passing by.

Peri restarts talking, her voice a cold whisper. "Rieleigh, I saw your social media activity. How the fuck did you retrieve that material? I mean, it can't fall in the wrong hands, yet you posted it."

"So what? Sooner or later, the truth will come out, Peri. There's no more room for hiding. Either they come clean, or their fallout will be even worse," I explain, maintaining my position, which Peri has to accept even though it's uncomfortable for both her and Brix.

"It makes sense. Listen, Brix and I were shocked that you, like, pulled out of the party like that. We planned to go away early, anyway." Oh, wow, what a fortunate coincidence! I wonder how they've managed to keep a low profile throughout this week.

Brix has a bold theory she wants to share. "The Club must've thought we fell sick after eating those horrible amuse-bouches. Like, thank God you didn't try them. You would've puked!"

"You can say that out loud!" I glance nervously at her, believing someone is watching us. This makes me hesitate on the spot. "But not literally. If they hear us, they can destroy us." I make sure not to mention the plan, or else my former friends (not sure if this definition can apply anymore) might take it and twist it for their personal gain.

We eat our lunch in silence. I occasionally take a look at the clock, knowing that the next class is the hardest of the day—and its teacher is the least tolerant of the bunch. Not only he has zero tolerance for tardiness, his punishments are also extremely harsh, and they don't just consist of detention.

Before I can realize, the bell rings. I run to the infamous class, leaving Peri and Brix behind and in shock.

***

The school day might be over, but my next mission is just starting. I walk down the parking lot with a slow and measured pace, expecting to meet either Peri or Brix. However, an unpleasant surprise awaits me as I find Salinda and Ashlea by a parking sign. Both have their arms crossed and a dark glare plastered on their faces.

Of course, the latter is much more smug, which makes me want to erase her stupid expression from her face with a slap. I choose to maintain my self-control, though. I'm not here to start a fight, I'm here to make sure these two bullies learn their lesson.

"Oh, Rieleigh, where the fuck are your little friends? Did they ditch you?" I don't respond to Ashlea's insistent provocation. She's all talk, but is inconsistent when she has to walk the walk. Salinda nods thrice to show she agrees. Too bad she doesn't look convincing enough. It's like she can't come up with an opinion of hers.

I chuckle. "Ashlea, Ashlea, have you looked yourself in a mirror? Not one with cracks like you borrow from Salinda every day at lunch." Their faces turn beet red, borderline purple, at the humiliation they face. I extract my phone and snap a picture of them.

Salinda scowls. "What the fuck are you doing? You don't plan to release those photos, trust me. Delete them!" I ignore her and start laughing louder. Tears form in her eyes out of desperation. Since I don't think her cry is genuine, I pretend to remove the pictures—I'll post them at a later stage, or maybe I'll just share them with Peri and Brix. I still have their numbers, after all...

"Girls, I feel bad for you. For real. The Burden of Breaking Hearts must've been the best thing that happened to you, you think." Only Salinda nods. Ashlea doesn't even care about giving me an answer. So, I continue. "You're dead wrong. It's a curse in disguise. One day was enough for me to realize it's poison."

Ashlea glowers. "How dare you, nobody? Do you know how exclusive it is?"

"It's exclusive to the scum like you, Ashlea. Don't act innocent. I've got to know your secrets." I cross my arms, while Ashlea becomes more and more defiant and Salinda would gladly disappear if she could.

The latter gasps and turns at her so-called 'friend.' "What does she mean, Ashlea? What have you done?" That snake, of course, keeps evading questions and criticism. She claims she's Little Miss Perfect and will never do anything to improve herself. Her loss, honestly. That club is filled with people like her.

Salinda goes on. "Talk to me, Ashlea! It's unusual of yours to let others walk over you—get a grip!"

Ashlea's glare is cold and bloody. She doesn't have an ounce of mercy towards Salinda. Her voice resounds like a violent thunder in the middle of a hurricane. "Don't talk to me like that, Salinda." Her pointer finger comes dangerously close to the other girl's chin. "You know what? You're useless."

Why haven't I brought popcorn with me? This has to be shown to everyone else at school. The Burden of Breaking Hearts only promotes loyalty when it's convenient. The more I record these two idiots' bickering, the more fun I have at their stupidity.

Seeing Salinda turn against Ashlea isn't just a shocking twist—it's the long awaited comeuppance the snake deserves.