8

I was scared. Not every day do you get a message saying they are going to kill you. For God's sake. It's terrible. I've only been here for two days and they already want me dead. I couldn't take my eyes off my phone, breathing with some difficulty, maybe I shouldn't pay attention to it, maybe it's a bad joke. But to stay away from Kayler? I'd be delighted, but I'm not the one seeking him out. Who could have sent the message? Paige? I looked at Paige, she was calmly drinking her juice. I didn't see her with a phone in her hand so it couldn't be her. Could it be another girl in love with Kayler? Because there must be several.

I looked back at my phone. I think I need to calm down and ignore it. This message shouldn't scare me, I am strong and can handle whoever is behind this. I turned off the phone and looked at Anne, who was watching me with a frown.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "You look pale."

Yes, I'm fine, considering there are wolves and now girls in love with Kayler who want to kill me.

"Yes, it's just that... I don't feel well," I lied. Actually, it wasn't such a lie, I feel awful.

She placed her hand on my forehead and nodded.

"That's true, you have a fever," she said, taking another bite of her sandwich. "You should go to the infirmary and get something prescribed."

It's not a bad idea. If I'm a bit lucky, they'll tell me to take the afternoon off.

"Alright. I'll go." I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Anne asked, making a move to get up.

"No. Don't worry, I'll go. We'll talk later," I smiled at her.

I walked straight to the cafeteria exit, noticing that Kayler couldn't take his eyes off me, and neither could Paige. I headed to the infirmary, knocked on the door twice, and a young girl opened it.

"Hi, what do you need?" she asked.

"I think I have a fever."

The girl ran her hand over my forehead and nodded.

"That's right."

I sat on the edge of a cot while watching the girl search for something in some drawers.

"I'll give you some pills," she announced, taking out an envelope, "but they'll make you sleepy, so go home and rest a bit. Don't worry about anything, I'll report you to the principal."

She handed me two envelopes of pills. I smiled at her.

"I just need you to leave your name..." she approached her desk and handed me a notebook and a pen, "...here."

She gave me the notebook, and I took it, writing my name in it. There were two more names above mine, one said Augusto and another was Hannah Grey. When I finished, I handed it back to her.

"First, take two, and then eight hours later, take another two," she explained.

"Thanks."

I left the infirmary intending to find a taxi or something to take me home, but as I walked down the hallway, I saw Connor, the guy who separated me from Paige yesterday, coming toward me.

"Hi, Carolina," he greeted me with a smile.

"Connor."

Connor wasn't ugly at all, he's very handsome. His body is well-built, and his gaze is sincere... sweet. Unlike Kayler.

"Are you okay? I saw you go into the infirmary."

First, I nodded uncertainly but then shook my head, pressing my lips into a thin line.

He frowned.

"Are you sick?" he asked, with a tone of concern.

"Yes. Apparently, I have a bit of a fever, I'm going home to rest."

We went down to the first floor, looking for the exit. I just hope I don't run into Kayler, I don't want him to take me home. The bell rang, announcing the start of the next classes. The students began leaving the cafeteria. I quickened my pace.

"Do you want me to take you?" he asked, keeping up with me.

It's not a bad idea. That way, I can avoid Kayler.

And speaking of the devil...

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" he grabbed my arm and held me close.

I glared at him.

"Let her go, Brown," Connor snapped beside me.

Kayler looked from me to Connor, glaring at him.

I feel too terrible to witness a fight. My head is spinning, and I don't have the strength to break free from Kayler. All I want is to get home and sleep.

"This isn't your problem, Connor," he growled.

Kayler held me tighter. Why am I not doing anything? Damn it!

"If she doesn't want to go with you, let her go. You have no right to tell her what to do," Connor said, clenching his fists.

Kayler got angrier. He let go of me and stepped threateningly towards Connor. Kayler didn't flinch. They were ready to start a fight.

"Enough!" I managed to say. Well, actually, I think I shouted.

The two boys in front of me looked at me, then their expressions changed from anger towards each other to concern for me. It must be because I was sweating, and seeing double. I saw two Kaylers—a nightmare, by the way—and two Connors.

Then I felt myself faint, and everything went black.

***

I opened my eyes, blinking quickly. Everything was blurry but cleared up as the seconds passed. My throat felt dry, bitter. I looked out the window and it was dark.

Is it night already?

I scanned my room until I saw the figure in the doorway leaning against it... Kayler.

"What happened to me?" I brought a hand to my head, feeling awful.

Kayler approached me and sat on the edge of my bed.

"You fainted, how do you feel?" he whispered.

"Terrible."

Kayler looked me over.

"Your mother is here. I had to convince her to sleep. That you were going to be fine," he informed me.

I frowned.

"My mom left you here. With me. At night?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"Actually, she thinks I left," he replied.

I looked at him incredulously.

"I climbed through the window," he added, pointing to the open window.

I pressed my lips together.

"I'm fine. You can go," I snapped, lying back down.

He sighed.

"Could you stop being so rude for a moment?" he asked. "I'm taking care of you."

I rolled my eyes.

"I can take care of myself."

Now that I have Kayler here with me, I can ask him a few questions that have been bothering me.

I sat up in bed.

"Kayler, who are you really?" I asked. I noticed how he tensed up at my question. "What are you and your weird group hiding?"

He got up from the bed and walked around the room, sighing.

Then he stopped to look at me.

"I see you're feeling better, so I'll leave."

After that, he left my room without giving me time to say anything. This makes me more suspicious that Kayler and his group are hiding something. And I have to find out what it is.