thank you to everyone reading. i hope you're enjoying it so far and don't forget to leave comments!! i always read them. let me know what you like/don't like!

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My feet were starting to ache. I tightened my hold on the I paper bag I carried as I trudged behind Paula, dragging my shoes across the floor. We'd been walking in and out of countless stores in the mall for hours, and I had no idea how the cheerleader looked like she hadn't even broken a sweat.

It was too bad I couldn't share the misery with Sutton. The blonde really hadn't been available due to her student council duties.

I'd already picked out a simple black dress two hours ago that I could pair with my heels at home, but not a single one of the dresses Paula had tried on had met her standards. There was always something wrong with it—too dark, too many ruffles, the bow was too large, the straps were too thin. Paula was determined to find the best.

We entered another store and I immediately took a seat on the couch next to a middle-aged man and his son who both looked as tired as I did. Taking out my phone from my pocket, I quickly typed a text to Faust while my friend looked around. Do you have plans today?

His reply came two minutes later. Working out at the gym. i thought you went shopping with paula?

I still am, but I'm tired already :(

picked out a dress yet? ;)

I rolled my eyes. yeah.

do you wanna grab dinner with me? i'll come pick you up then we can have that second date :)

Sounds good. take a quick shower before you leave.

There was a smile in Faust's reply. was already planning to. see you.

Standing up, I walked around aisles of clothes until I found Paula holding up a coral blue dress. "Hey. Faust is coming to pick me up. We're going to get dinner."

She wagged her eyebrows at me. "Maybe he's finally going to ask you to the dance."

I frowned. I hadn't realized Faust hadn't asked me yet as his date. What were the rules in this situation? Was it implied that couples should go together? Was Faust not interested in going? "We'll see," I answered instead, shutting down the questions in my mind. "Are you going to be okay by yourself? I mean, it's fine if I leave right?"

Paula waved her hand dismissively as she placed the dress back in the rack and rummaged through the rest of the clothes with her fingers. "Of course! I wouldn't want to keep you from your date with Faust. You've been such a bore as a shopping partner anyway."

"Gee, thanks."

She laughed. "I was just kidding. I'm fine by myself, Thea, don't worry. I was going to ask you to come grab dinner with me and some of my friends from the squad but that can wait another day."

I leaned against the wall and played with my curls. "I'd love to meet them sometime. By the way, are you going to the dance with a date? Has someone asked you?"

"I turned them all down," Paula answered, taking out a purple cocktail dress and examining it from arm's length. "I wanted to go stag."

"Just like JJ."

Her eyes gleamed wickedly. "We both just happen to love the idea of being stolen for dances."

Pursing my lips, I tucked a strand of my hair beneath my ear. "Uh, Paula?"

"Yep?"

"Do you think it's strange that Faust hasn't asked me out to the dance yet?"

Noticing my quiet tone, Paula turned to face me and tilted her head slightly. "No, I don't think so. I mean, he could ask you during your date tonight, but if he doesn't...well, I'm betting he's not thinking about it because of state championships."

I fiddled with the hem of my blouse. "But Faust has gone to all the other dances before, right? Without a date?"

Paula stepped forward and gripped my cheeks, staring at me straight in the eyes. "Yes, Faust has never missed the high school dances," she said, lightly pinching my skin. "But he's with you now. Are you seriously asking me if he won't go to the dance just because he'll have a date this time and won't get a chance to dance with the other girls?"

I nodded.

She clicked her tongue and shook her head, dropping her hands and placing them firmly on her hips. "You need a little more faith in Faust, Thea. Bring it up later tonight and ask him if he doesn't ask you. Okay?"

I nodded again. Paula grinned. "Are you leaving now?"

"No, not yet. Faust is coming from the gym—"

"Thea!" the cheerleader suddenly cut me off, eyes wide with panic and her expression a little frantic as she grasped my forearm, nails digging into my skin. "I, uh—sorry," she stuttered, blinking rapidly and grabbing the dress she was looking at earlier. "I just wanted to try this on and have you look at it before you leave. Come on, let's go inside the dressing room."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Paula began to drag me with her. "What? Paula, are you okay?"

"Fine, fine." She laughed nervously, looking over her shoulder twice. Curious, I looked over mine too and found nothing out of the ordinary. "Come on, Thea."

Her voice had a sense of urgency, so I followed her into the dressing room and stood outside her cubicle door. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I sent a message to Faust. text me when you're near.

I didn't even wait a minute before my phone buzzed with his response. I'm twenty minutes away.

Presumably to calm herself down, Paula took her time. When she finally opened the door with a wide and forced smile, she twirled around slowly. "What do you think?"

"You look great," I answered honestly. The violet certainly emphasized her caramel complexion and the fit of the dress hugged her curves perfectly. "It's amazing on you."

Paula hummed in response and looked at herself in the mirror. "I think I might actually like it. I'll have to come back later if I don't find anything better than this."

I nodded. "I'll be in the restroom while you change. I'll be back."

"Thea." She pulled my arm. "Stay here. We can go to the restroom after."

"I really need to go now. I'll meet you here in a minute, okay?"

Her eyes told me not to leave her alone, but I was going to have to if I wanted to find out what she was suddenly so afraid of.

Assuring her I'd be back soon, I walked out of the store before she could say another word.

In front of me were couples walking hand in hand, parents standing near a candy booth while their child picked out a cotton candy flavor, women and men briskly crossing each other as they carried their shopping bags. My feet moved forward as my eyes roamed for anything that might have set Paula off. As I passed by the escalators, my attention was snatched by a hard body hitting my shoulder. "I'm sorry—"

"Keep quiet," the stranger mumbled, gripping my forearm as he lowered his head and led me towards the stairs. His face was covered by the rim of his hat, but I recognized the voice. "Don't scream. I just want to talk to you privately. I won't hurt you."

"Do it here," I said calmly, pulling my arm from his hold as we stood against the staircase. We were in public. This man couldn't hurt me. "Let's talk then."

Sullivan knew better than to argue. He cocked his head to the side and his lips curled. "Smart girl. I won't hurt you. Relax."

"How long have you been following me?"

"Not long enough. I needed to catch you without any of your hounds with you."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Nico and Faust aren't my hounds. Why were you following me?"

"Like I said, to talk to you," he answered, tucking his hands inside his pockets as he watched me curiously. "I wonder what's going on in that pretty little head of yours."

"Well, you're talking to me now." Swallowing hard, I asked, "What do you want? Are you trying to scare me?"

"Think I've done that already," Sullivan said, a hint of amusement lacing his tone. "But actually, I want to ask for your help."

"My...my help? For what? What could you possibly need my help for?"

Sullivan took a step closer. Under this light, the scar that ran across his face became more noticeable. "Don't tell anyone about our little chat, yeah? Let's keep this a secret until we can talk more."

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm not promising anything. Answer my question."

He clicked his tongue. "Someone's blackmailing me."

My blood ran cold. "Wh-what?"

"If you promise to meet me again soon, I'll tell you all you need to know. Right now, that's all I can say. Give me your phone. I need to keep in contact with you."

Hesitantly, I fumbled with the device as I took it out from my pocket. My hands shook as my fingers grasped it. "Why should I help you? Your players literally threatened me."

"I don't condone the behavior and actions of my teammates," he said firmly, features drawing together. "I can guarantee you that I wasn't a part of that."

I still wasn't convinced. "How do I know that you're not lying? You're not in good terms with Nico and I'm assuming the same with Faust. I don't trust you."

Sullivan raised an eyebrow. "And you trust a man who's been lying to you?"

I sucked in a deep breath. "Nico has never lied to me."

"I meant your boyfriend," he clarified with a smirk. "I can tell you why he's been lying to you if you help me."

My head decided to ponder on it for a few seconds before I gave in, handing my phone to him. "I want him to tell me himself. I'm helping you because you seem desperate, but if this is some kind of sick joke—"

"Don't worry," Sullivan murmured as he typed in his contact information. "I wouldn't play such games with Romero. He's...dangerous."

"You're scared of Nico but not of Faust."

"I'm scared of what Romero can do," he corrected, reaching out to give my phone back. "Carter's all bark and no bite."

"Uh—"

"I texted myself from your phone so I have your number too. We'll meet again." He turned away. "I'll see you soon, Thea Simmons."