Me:If it’s so important, tell me on here. I’m not meeting up with you anywhere. It’s literally a safety issue for me considering the ravine incident on the senior trip.
Cerina:Okay. Firstly, I wanted to say sorry. I’ve been fucking horrible to you. It’s totally understandable that you hate me.
Me:No shit. You literally tried to murder me. Glad you’re admitting it now, at least.
Cerina:No, that wasn’t me. I swear. I know I’ve done other horrible stuff to hurt you, but I wouldn’t go that far. I’m not a total psychopath.
Me:Whatever. What’s the other thing? You said ‘firstly’ so I assume there’s more?
Cerina:Look, it’s a really long story. That’s why I wanted to meet up with you because it’s hard to show and tell you all this crap over texts. But basically – you can’t trust Jax.
Me:Oh, please. You’re just jealous that we’re together now, so you’re trying your best to break us up. It’s honestly pathetic. Grow up.
Cerina:I know what it looks like. But it’s not just Jax. You can’t trust your friend Erin either.
Me:Oh yeah? Why not?
Cerina:Like I said, it’s way too long to write out in a text. Come meet me in the gazebo in the quad and I’ll show you everything I’ve found. I know you don’t trust me, but it’s out in the open so you should feel safe there.
Me:No. Come and meet me in the dance hall if you really want to show me in person.
Cerina:I can’t. Someone could overhear us talking, and this HAS to be private. I thought of the gazebo because we can see or hear people coming from any side if we’re there. So it’s safe for both of us.
Me:Not gonna happen.
Cerina:Please, Kinsey. All I need is 10 minutes. Maybe 15. If you still don’t believe me after I’ve shown you all this stuff, then… whatever. At least I’ll know I did my best to try and make things up to you.
Me:Stop trying to manipulate me. How stupid do you think I am? Lol
Cerina:I know what it looks like but I’m literally begging you. You need to see this shit. It’s for your own safety. And yes, I realize how ironic that sounds coming from me. But it’s serious. I really don’t know what else I can say to convince you. Please just come.
I sat in stiff silence with my underwear around my ankles for the next few minutes, contemplating my next move. My shoulders finally slumped, and I let out a sigh and sent another message to Cerina.
Me:Okay, look, if I come, it’ll mostly be to shut you up, okay? Also, I’m bringing something to defend myself with in case it’s one of your traps. No joke. I actually will.
Cerina:That’s fine. I get it. Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel comfortable. Please just hurry. I’m already out here and it’s fucking freezing.
Me:Just give me a few minutes so I can tell someone where I’m going.
I left the bathroom and hurried back to the dance hall. Jax was waiting for me on the other side of the room, holding two cups of red punch. “Are you okay?” he asked, eyes flickering with concern. “You were gone for ages.”
“Sorry. I got caught up talking to Cerina.”
His nose wrinkled. “Cerina? Why were you—”
Jax’s question was cut off by the brisk approach of Mr. Blythe and Ms. Vaughn. “Excuse me, Jax,” Ms. Vaughn said in a snippy tone, clapping her hands together. “I need to check those drinks.”
“Huh? Why?”
“We caught someone slipping vodka into the raspberry punch a few minutes ago,” she said, raising a brow. “We can’t have drunk students running around everywhere, can we?”
Jax frowned. “This is strawberry punch. It’s fine.”
Ms. Vaughn gave him a withering look. “I’ve already confiscated fifteen drinks from other students and tipped them out. I have no issue doing the same to you if you refuse to cooperate with our checks.”
“We just need to give the cups a quick sniff,” Mr. Blythe added. “That’s all.”
Jax rolled his eyes and handed the drinks over to the teachers.