By the time I reach Vicky's house it starts to rain. Not like a light drizzle, but more of a hurricane. I park my car in her driveway and run to her front step getting drenched from head to toe in a matter of seconds. My teeth chatter as I knock on the door. Her step mom opens the door and her face shows her concern. Even though I'm not her own child she treats me like hers.

 "Oh my Marley! Come in here right now," she orders while taking my hand. She leads me to the kitchen and makes me a hot chocolate while I dry off at the table. I take off my soaking wet sweater and hang it on the back of my sweater. She places the steaming mug in front of me and sits in the seat next to mine. I gulp down the liquid greedily letting it burn my throat the whole way down.

   "What's up?"

   "I just came to see Vicky is all," I reply. I stare longingly at my cup wishing it will refill.

   "I'm sorry, Hun. You just missed her. She went out shopping. But you can stay here until she gets back. I'm sure she won't be long. I have to do some small chores though." She gives me an apologetic look.

   I smile and remain at the table while her Eva fiddles around in the kitchen. I can't help but to be jealous of Vicky and her stepmom.

   They are close. More like sisters even though her stepmom is in her forties. Vicky's dad and Eva had married when they in their thirties and Vicky was only a child. Vicky adored her and looked up to her. Eva was a fashion designer and had a boutique downtown. They told each other everything and would support each other 100 percent. I thought of Eva like my mom too. She was the closest thing I had to a mother. I spent so much time that she filled in the empty hole.

   "So Eva how is your business?" I ask casually. Even though I'm antsy about Vicky I still will enjoy Eva's company. She's a very relaxed person. She stops whatever she's doing.

   "It's going really well. Our latest style of blouse is a major seller!" she chirps. She gazes at my face.

   "Sweetie, I can tell something is wrong. You can tell me. You're like my daughter. You've been Vicky's best friend for years and practically live here," she teases and I can't help to smile a little.

   "It's just that Vicky seems a little...off," I say slowly.

   "Off?" Eva questions. "She still seems like the same bubbly, sarcastic, and slightly bratty teenager that she always is."

   I shake my head. "No. She's been avoiding me at school. She won't answer my calls or texts and I don't understand what I did wrong." Eva frowns.

   "I have no idea. She hasn't mentioned anything to me about it. You can find out when she comes home." She pulls out her phone. "She should be here soon."

   Sure enough we hear her car pull into the driveway. Eva stands behind the kitchen counter and crouches down.

   "Hey I'm home," Vicky calls from the den. She waltzes into the kitchen holding two bags; one from Forever 21 and the other from Hot Topic. Once she sees me she stops dead in her tracks.

   "You shouldn't be here," she says while slowly backing up. I jump up from my seat causing the sweater to glide to the ground. From the corner of my eye I can see Eva still crouched, but watching us with her nose just above the counter's edge. Her eyes are squinting trying to get a better view. Maybe I should get her binoculars. I ignore Eva.

   "What do you mean? You've been dodging me for days and I need answers. Explain to me why you're mad because I haven't done anything wrong."

   "You don't understand she'll punish me if she catches me talking to you," she murmurs while running to her room. I know exactly who she is and it pisses me off to know that she is not only ruining my life, but also Vicky's. I follow closely behind her. She slams her door shut, but thankfully doesn't lock it. I enter to see her pacing the length of the room with her hands behind her head.

   "I can help you. She has been bothering me too." Vicky spins on her heels to face me with tears running down her eyes which are also ruining her mascara.

   "You can?" She sniffles while I nod. I guide her to the bed and hand her a tissue box.

  "I know what you're going through. Can you tell me the full story? I need to know all the details," I tell her. I need to protect her like she would for me if the roles were reversed. She sniffles once more.

  "Okay," she takes a deep breathe. I rub my arm soothingly on her arm, but I don't think it's helping much because her body is still shaking.

  "I was walking home one day and my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out immediately thinking it was you trying to tell me some juicy gossip. It was a blocked number and I didn't recognize it. I read it anyways. It was a paragraph explaining how I was to ignore you and play along with their stupid game that they had you playing.  I ignored it because obviously I wasn't going to be mean to you. You're my best friend after all. Then they sent a text on how they hated being ignored and then they involved Eva and started threatening her. She kept saying how she'd hurt her because of who she is to you and I and know it would hurt us both. I couldn't take any chances Marley. I'm so sorry," she wails. Her head drops to my shoulder and she cries until nothing comes out while I hug her.

  She lifts her head and looks into my eyes. Her eyes are puffy and red and her once rosy cheeks are stained with mascara.

  "I think you should tell Eva her life is in danger. But we won't let it anything happen to her." She nods stiffly. She brings the sleeve of her sweater to her eyes and wipes away all remaining tears.

  "How do I look?" she questions self consciously. She never cries because her happy go lucky personality doesn't allow it.

  "Like a runway model," I tease trying to lighten up the mood for her sake. I can't help but to feel guilty that now they're affecting Vicky and also pissed that the stalker is taking it this far just to ruin my life. I need to take this stalker down.

  I hold Vicky's hand as we go into the kitchen where Eva is making dinner. Once she sees us she looks up and smiles.

  "Hey Marley are you staying for dinner? You know you're always welcome here."

  "That would be lovely Eva thank you. But we actually need to tell you something." Her face immediately becomes that of a concerned parent. Vicky is already seated  at the table with her head resting on her hands. Eva sits across from her as I tell the story.

  I didn't really think this through. Last time I tried to tell someone my side of the story it backfired. But then again this time we have two people telling the same story so she has to believe us, right?

  Once I'm done explaining Vicky's story Vicky is silently crying and Eva is looking between us expressionlessly. She heaves a sigh and walks over to the coffee maker and turns it on.

  "Do you remember when I said you need warm beverages for when someone is upset?" She asks the two of us. Vicky nods while I mutter a yes.

  "Well you're gonna need this after I tell you what I have to say." She sighs again. We both furrow our brows in confusion.

  "I have more to do with this situation than you both know."

***

  A/N~ Dun Dun DUUUUNNNNNN! OOOOOO What do you think she's got to say? Yes she knows who the stalker is. Muwahahaha until the next chappy! 

~Mar