I arrived at school early the next day. August stood in front of the school, waiting for me like I'd ask. He hurried over to my car and hopped into the front seat. He had a broad smile on his face and an eager look in his eyes.

    "Thanks for meeting me."

    "No problem," he said. "Even though she's not here, Kalila said she hopes for the best."

    "I hope so, too."

    I let out a deep breath, trying to dispel my nerves. It just didn't work, and I wrapped my arms around myself, leaning back in my seat. I'd played this over and over in my head, but this option always checked out to be the best. Yet, I didn't want to put August through it if he didn't want to. He had become one of my two friends in the whole world. He was willing to do this for me, and I'd always be grateful for him.

    "You really, really don't have to go through with this," I told him. " I could always find another way."

    He shrugged, seemingly unaffected by the commitment he had made to the cause. "I have no reason not to. If this helps you, I'm here for it. You won't tell me what these girls are holding over you, but I want to help you break their hold."

    "These girls... Look, you're going to get involved with people that would rather skin you alive than help you."

    "I know." He placed a hand on my shoulder, and it oddly comforted me. "You know what makes Nina keep people around longer. You know her, and I can work with that, and we can break her like she broke you."

    I laughed harshly, but only for a short moment. " I don't think that's going to happen. I just need her out of the way, because she's the smaller threat of the two."

    "Ahhh," he nodded. "Still, I'm ready."

    I propped my legs up on the dash, making myself comfortable. Reaching over, I cranked the heat up a bit. It was chilly that day, just like their hearts.

    "Kiley, are you going to be okay? Interacting with them all the time has to hurt."

    I shrugged. "I guess I've gotten used to the pain of their words." I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. "It's just, I can't stop. I know it sounds stupid to let someone ruin your life. It's just, everytime I close my eyes, I can still see it. I-I can see the event they're blackmailing me about clear as day." I feel a tear slide down my cheek, and I curse myself for it; for my weakness. "I can't let them tell everyone. It's so stupid but I just-"

    "It's okay, Kiley. It's okay. I understand."

    I shook my head. "You could never understand, August." Sniffing, I swiped the back of my hand over my eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm kind of a mess."

    August adjusted his position in the seat so he could look me directly in the eyes. There was something different there. Something raw, like he'd tapped directly into memories that had been long stored away. I could tell because I saw the same pain in my eyes when I looked in the mirror sometimes.

    "You know, we're all kind of a mess," he said. His eyes flicked to the windshield, looking out to the front of the school. "We should go. The plan's still on, okay?"

    All I could do was nod as he hopped out of the car, not looking back as he followed Nina into the school.

       What I hated was that Stacie was always watching. Sure, if could be summed up as her doing her job as a part of the newspaper. In fact, she probably had the biggest role in the school's newspaper. Yet, I knew a different side of her; a side that not only scared me, but made me dislike her.

        Today, she sat next to me in our first period class. She had her stupid notebook out and was writing in it with her colorful pen. She looked around often, almost as if she was waiting for someone to mess up; waiting for someone to give her an opportunity to ruin them.

        Another teacher walked in to talk to ours. Of course, out of all the teachers, it had to be the one that Janessa was screwing around with. Stacie perked up in her seat, a little smirk on her face.

         I was paying so much attention to the teacher that I barely noticed Stacie slip her journal in front of me.

          The teacher that just walked in was written on the top, followed by A teacher is failing me.  Need leverage.

    I wanted to say no. I needed to find a reason to say no. Yet, all I said was, "You want me to blackmail a teacher?"

    "Shhh!" She hissed. "Yes, because my mom is going to kick my ass if I don't pass his sorry ass class."

    "Did you ever try studying?" I didn't know why, but the jab flowed effortlessly out of my mouth. I didn't even want to take it back. I just wanted her to know that I wasn't going to be hers to control for much longer. I just needed to be able to blackmail her. I just needed patience. Nina first, Stacie later.

    She narrowed her eyes. "Shut up. You know who's in control here. You've been acting strange lately, and I don't like it. Don't you understand that you're worthless without me? I'm protecting you, Kiley."

    I did feel worthless at times, but I wasn't going to let her call me that. I wasn't going to let her look me in the eyes and tell me her usual lies. "No, Stacie. This isn't a friendship unless we're on equal footing."

    For a moment, silence passed between us. Had I gotten through to her? For a moment, I allowed myself to remember the good times; when she was actually my friend. When her, Nina, and I were at the top of the world. But I couldn't remember that without remembering him, and I hated it.

    "Kiley-"

    "Do I hear talking?" The teacher snapped.

    We were silent for the rest of the class.

    I saw August with Nina in the hallway. It sickened me, in a way. She had turned into a terrible, horrible person. One of my only friends had to be stuck with her as well. Yet, it was all part of the plan. August had come equipped with a nice, leather jacket. Nina liked leather jackets.

    Stacie walked beside me. She glanced down at her phone every few seconds, sometimes sending a text. I tried to look over her shoulder, but she quickly put her phone back in her pocket. She refused to speak to me, but she still wanted to walk beside me. I knew she was probably still angry from before. For once, I wanted to let her be angry.

    She finally broke away from me to talk to another girl from the newspaper club. I hurried away from her. I hated being near her. I was coming to hate her. I hated that school. I hated myself for letting things ever get so bad. I hated hated hated everything, and I just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear.

    I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I realized I had walked out of the school's doors. The air was crisp, autumn weather fast approaching. I shivered a little before turning around, coming face to face with August.

    "You okay?" He asked.

    I nodded, but I couldn't look him in the eye.

    "I think she's going to break up with her current boy toy soon. The plan is working."

    "Are you sure you want to date her?" I whispered. "She's vile, and cruel. Besides, you don't need to do anything because of me. Because I'm vile and disgusting. Because I don't even have the guts to end this all right here and now. I-"

    He gripped my shoulders. "Kiley, I wouldn't be doing this if I thought you weren't worth helping."

    I squeezed my eyes shut, my breathes sharp and panicky. "If you don't want to do this-"

    "I do. It's going to be okay, Kiley. It's going to be okay."

    I laid my head against his chest. He was the first person I'd really let comfort me during a panic attack.

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Look who updated! Enjoy. :)

Thoughts on Kiley and August's plan?

-Sarah