True Colors (The Masks #1)(53)

“Could be.” Micah nodded, not happy about my theory, probably because he knew it was true. “Pressure’s pretty high to do well here. And I gotta say, Liam’s crew don’t seem that stressed about school work...at least the guys in the basketball team aren’t.” Micah pursed his lips. “Damn.” He shook his head. “You’d be opening a big ass can of worms if this is real.”

I bit my lip, nerves skittering through me like frenzied fireflies. “You want to help me do it?”

No. I could see it all over his face.

My insides deflated as I watched him push his lips together and then sigh. “You know I can’t afford to screw up this close to the end of the year. I can’t get involved in anything that’ll jeopardise what I’ve been working so hard for.” He winced and let out a soft hiss. “But I want to get Indie out of whatever shit she’s into, so I’m in.”

I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him. I was so relieved. Instead I sufficed with a friendly slap on his arm and jogged with him back towards the changing rooms. We agreed to broach it at the biology assignment meeting we’d set up before school that day. I was so nervous I wanted to puke, but knowing Micah would be there to back me up was a huge comfort.

Pulling out my phone, I texted Eric with an update as I’d promised I would. It felt good knowing he was there for me, even if not in the physical sense. Today could go one of two ways. I’d find out the truth and sneak Indie into freedom or I’d find out the truth and everything would blow up in my face.

I rubbed my stomach and forced my lungs to inflate as I made my way to the library, the attack on Friday night still way too raw and fresh in my mind.





Chapter 24




The study area of the library was empty, which is why we’d agreed on Friday to meet there first thing Monday morning. Libby’s idea was huge and brilliant, but it was taking us longer than we expected. No one seemed to mind the extra workload. We were enjoying hanging out together, but a very different feel hung in the air this particular morning.

Indie arrived looking flustered. Her hair was mussed and she was busy adjusting her white linen dress. She caught me watching her and shame turned her cheeks pink. I could tell she’d just been made to do something she hadn’t wanted to. I didn’t know what, but the sick feeling in my gut made me wonder. Her hands trembled as she sat down across from me, unable to look me in the eye.

“Morning,” I said with a smile.

“Hey,” she mumbled.

“How was your weekend?”

“Okay.” She shrugged.

“Yours?”

I tried to look casual and unfazed. “It was pretty quiet, although Friday night was interesting.”

She went pale, her high cheekbones sticking out as she ruffled her bangs. So she did know about what had been done to me. Stripping back another layer I saw her guilty tears. She felt so bad about what had happened that I didn’t feel one ounce of anger towards her.

Micah strolled in looking edgy, but determined. He sat down next to Indie and a calm relief descended around her. She shot Micah a polite smile, but I could see how safe she felt beside him. Micah glanced my way and I gave him an encouraging smile. We hadn’t really talked about how we were going to broach this and now I wish we had. Who would start the inquiry? Was it better if I did? I knew Libby was still a little afraid of Micah, but she didn’t seem too keen on me at the moment either.

“Morning, everybody.” Libby bubbled into the room.

I gave her a warm smile, which she instinctively returned before swallowing and slumping into the chair beside me. Everyone was silent. It was mega-awkward, to the point that Indie actually initiated.

“So, what are we working on today? Where’s everyone up to?” She opened up her book of notes and began scanning them. "Did you all manage to gather some more samples over the weekend? I only got a few. I haven't had a chance to identify them yet though."

She reached down to unzip her bag and I knew this was my chance.

I willed my courage not to flake as I leaned forward and laid my hands on the table. “Before we get started, I just wanted to say...” I glanced at Micah. “How much I enjoy working with you guys. I feel like we’re a really great group. We work well together.” Although confused, everyone nodded. Indie sat up with a small grin, giving me the confidence to go on. “It might sound weird, but I feel safe with you guys, like I could tell you anything and it’d be okay.”

Indie’s smile fled. She glanced at Micah who was watching her with the softest expression I’d ever seen. Behind his mask his face was glowing with pure affection. It was so strong it was breaking through and Indie saw it. Her eyes glistened before she had a chance to turn away and blink at tears.

Libby squirmed in her seat as my gaze hit her. “Do you feel that way?”

She shrugged, but I could see that she did.

I took her hand. “Libby, you can tell us anything and it’ll be okay.”

I looked to Indie. Her blue eyes were wide with fear. “You too, Indie. No one’s going to hurt you here.” She flinched, her gaze pressing into me with a look that was both pleading and angry.

The tension in the air grew thick and suffocating, and I wasn’t quite sure what to say next, but then Libby drew in a deep breath and kind of let out this hiccuping sob. “I didn’t want be involved in this, but after the whole Carter thing I had no choice.”