***

You would think I would be used to being embarrassed in front of people. First the argument at the party, then Stella in math class, and now getting accused of lying in front of the entire school. But I'm not. I just couldn't catch a break.

I have two options as to what I can do now that they have left me standing alone in the cafeteria. Option a) I can continue to stand here with my mouth open which will result in further humiliation or b) I can escape everyone's staring and continue on with my life and push this all behind me and act like nothing's happened. I choose the latter option. And I hope everyone moves on too.

I hold my chin high and leave with whatever dignity I have left. Absentmindedly, I walk to my locker. I left my bag in the car, but all my afternoon class' books are still in here. I enter my locker combo, spinning the dial in both directions. I focus on the movement of my hand.

Right, left, right. My hand moves on its own accord. I swing open the door and listen to it collide with the locker beside it. There is a note messily stacked on top of my binders on the top shelf. From the way it's positioned I assume it's been shoved through the grate at the top of my locker door. I sigh deeply and pick up the note.

I've changed the game. I will give you clues and you will follow them. Failure to abide by my rules or orders will result in a punishment. Your little stunt with Jace will be pardoned. Have a great day, Marley.

The two words that stuck in my head are game and punishment.

  This is what it is to her? A freaking game? Ruining my life is some form of entertainment to her. If this is a game I don't want to play. Not that I have much of a choice.

That leads to the second word. A punishment? This is insane. I don't know who this person is or what they're capable of. For now I will play along. I can't risk getting injured because some sick person wants to use me as a pawn. Going to someone to seek help is not an option anymore. I can't risk someone I'm close to getting hurt either.

She's in control now.

I fold the note and put it in my pocket. As soon as I get home I'm going to collect all the notes and keep them together. I gather my books in my right arm and slam the locker shut. I march down the hall. The words gnaw at my insides and cause my stomach to churn.

In the middle of my slight mental break down I collide with a giant wall of flesh. I stumble back a few steps. I'm such a klutz. I should have been paying attention to where I was going. I lift my head to apologize when I realize who I knocked into. One of the last people I want to see right now.

Bryan.

He is sporting a plain navy blue tee shirt matched with a pair of dark wash jeans. His hair is dripping with sweat and he smells like B.O. I'm guessing, based on his appearance, he just came from outside from a practice of some sort. His huge hands are wedged in his pants pockets. He has no books on him.  

I mentally groan. Out of all people why this one? His eyes make contact with mine. I glance over his shoulder and notice the hallway is deserted. As if on cue, the second bell rings. Great now I'm late. Without exchanging words, I attempt to walk around him.

Key word attempt.

  In a flash, his hands raise from his pockets and forcefully grab my shoulders. A small squeak escapes my lips. He holds me steady. If I have to I will knee him again. I hold my binders in my hands tight. With whatever body strength I have acquired from gym class last year I thrash around with my shoulders. His grip tightens. Just peachy.

  I brace myself. I don't know what to expect. He could try and harass me or force himself on me again or yell at me. I prepare to raise my knee. But, to my surprise, he doesn't do what I expected. He does the opposite.

  "I'm so sorry for what happened at the party," he says softly. I study his face to see if this is a joke. No upwards tug on the corner of his mouth. No smirk. Just sincerity. I stare at him with utter shock written on my face.

  Okay, this is not what I was expecting.

  Hesitantly, he releases the grip on my shoulders. I'm too surprised to say anything. He was apologizing. I didn't know the word sorry was even in his vocabulary. Words are failing me at this moment and I scramble to figure out what to say.

  Silently I compose myself. I'm angry at him. This mess is all partly his fault and he hasn't done anything about it.

  "Do you have any idea how much crap I've been through because you're a douche?!" I exclaim. He looks taken aback by my harsh words. I guess I'm the first girl to talk to him this way, but I don't have time to applaud myself because I'm not done with him yet. "Because of your little stunt at the party, I lost my boyfriend who was also one of my best friends. I just had a bad break up which included me being publicly humiliated in front of dozens of people and getting accused of lying. And all because you can't admit this is your fault. Do you know what it feels like to have everyone hate you?"

  "I'm sorry. I was drunk and-"

  I raise my hand and cut him off. I'm not done yelling at him yet. I switch my books into my other arm and jab my free hand's index finger into his chest. "Save it. You've caused enough damage. I don't want to hear it. Apology not accepted."

  I step to the side to leave, but he mimics my movement. "Let me through," I say through clenched teeth.

  He shakes his head firmly. "Not without you hearing what I have to say. Let me explain myself," he pleas.

  I debate whether I should listen to what he has to say. In the midst of my debate he adds, "She said I could tell you once the plan had been completed."

  My ears perk up. Without him even telling me I know who he's talking about. I don't say anything, but I give him a look that tells him to continue. I'm already late so another 10 minutes won't hurt. He shifts his weight onto his other leg awkwardly.

  "I was drunk. I had been at the party and drinking for hours. I was cornered by some drunk chick. She basically threw herself at me and said she had an offer. She pulled out a wad of cash. She told me that I was to do what she said and I'd get a reward. She said she knew something I was hiding and would expose me if I didn't cooperate," he explains. His voice lowers, "She managed to find out the only reason I was passing any of my classes was because I was cheating on all my tests." The whole time his eyes never once leave my face. His eyes are glued to mine.

  "And...?" I prompt irritably.

  "I had no choice. She told me to go over and kiss you. Under no circumstances was I to let you go and I was to kiss you for as long as I could. It seemed simple enough. At the time, it didn't even seem like a question to choose between kissing you and ending my chances of getting into a decent college. I didn't put two and two together-" I roll my eyes in my head. He couldn't put two and two together even if he was sober and used his fingers. "-and realize she had this planned out to end you guys. I'm so sorry."

  I remain silent. A million questions swirl around my head. Was this the same person who bumped into Jace?

  "Did she mention her name? Did you see her face clearly? Did she say anything else?" I question.

  "She didn't tell me anything other than what I've told you. And the room was dark. My vision was blurry and I'm pretty sure she had blonde hair. That's all I remember. Do you forgive me?"

  A blonde. This is some relevant information to figuring out who this girl is. I make a mental note of this. I wave my hand dismissively.

  "You know the truth. The kiss wasn't my fault. You can clear up my name and get everyone to stop thinking I'm a bitch. Can you explain that to-"

  "No. She gave me strict orders to not do that either or else she'll spread my secret. Sorry."

  "Whatever. You're forgiven," I mumble. His face lights up like a Christmas tree. I can understand why he can't do it. I choose to leave the conversation at that. I turn on my heel to go to class. I don't make it more than a few feet when Bryan calls my name.

  "Hey Marley. Don't tell anyone what I've told you. Especially about my secret. Please," he begs. I swear he looks like he's about to drop to his knees, but that doesn't happen.

  I continue to walk down the hall not pausing to look at him. "I won't. Scouts honour," I yell so he can hear, but not loud enough to disrupt a class and draw attention to us.

  I take a glance over my shoulder after a moment. Bryan has his hand in his hair and his back turned to me. His body begins to shrink in size as the distance between us increases.

  I have no proof about what Bryan said was true, so repeating it to Jace is out of the question. He'd probably just assume I made it up anyway. My relationship with Jace is over for good.

  I put on a fake smile and go to class to start the process of healing and recovery. I wonder how long that will last before my stalker does her next move.