True Colors (The Masks #1)(57)

“If you could somehow distract him at the end of class then that’ll give me enough time to sneak away and meet Micah in the student parking lot. As long as I’m waiting for Liam outside Art History when that final bell goes, I’ll be okay.”

“Where will you hide the memory stick?” Libby asked.

“I’ll take it.” Micah nodded. “I can keep it with me until we decide to go to the dean.”

“We’ll need to do it quickly. If Liam figures anything out, it puts Indie in danger,” I said.

“We should see him this afternoon then.” Micah eyes were on fire.

“I’ll go to the office and make an appointment.” Libby bit her lip. “He’s friends with my dad. I’m sure he’ll make time for me.”

“Okay good. All we need now is a memory stick.”

Without a word, Libby scrambled into her bag and pulled out a little black stick. She passed it to Indie who took it with quivering fingers before clutching it in her hand. I exhaled and looked around the table. We were all nervous, like hell scary nervous, but we had a plan and that bit felt good.

I put my hand in the middle of the table. Cheesy, I know, but I had the compelling urge to suddenly be connected to each of them. Micah placed his hand on mine, followed by Libby and finally, Indie.

“I know this is terrifying and we’re all taking a massive risk, but it’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna end this.” I made sure I was looking at Indie when I said it. She gave me a grateful smile. It was the first genuine one she’d ever given me and it was beautiful.





Chapter 26




I was a jittery mess for the rest of the day. I actually started reading people during lunch just so I could distract myself and keep my gaze off Indie and Libby who were sitting with Liam for lunch. It didn’t really work. My eyes kept reverting back to a very nervous Indie. Thankfully she was hiding it like a pro. Micah never came into the cafeteria, which also helped. I was pretty sure one look at her would have let the mask slip.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my bag, nearly dropping it as I unlocked the screen.

You being safe?

Eric.

I grinned. Yeah, I’m safe.

I didn’t want to give him full details in a text. But he’d made me promise to keep him informed. My finger wavered over the screen wondering if I should send a second text with more, but then his reply came.

That’s my girl. Call me when you get home from school. Want to hear your voice.

My anxiety ebbed. I could tell him then.

Okay. Talk to you later, Hercules.

You bet, girl next door. xx

Kisses. Cute! He left me kisses in a text. Yep, my super-crush was definitely morphing into full-blown love.

I felt calmer after Eric’s text. It was nice to know he was thinking of me. I was actually looking forward to giving him all the details. I just hoped they were good ones.

I looked across the table and met Indie’s eyes. Her mask slipped and I was expecting to see a sign that she’d changed her mind, but her gaze was determined. She was desperate to just get on with it.

The bell was a blessed relief. I scurried off to U.S. History, now my least favorite subject thanks to Stella’s hate vibes. I kept my head down and focused, then bobbed my knee through free period in the library. After that, my heart rate was uncontrollable. As I walked to Algebra I was fully aware that Libby was currently trying to distract Liam while Indie snuck to the parking lot. I thought my brain might actually short circuit as I fluffed my way through quadratic equations.

When the final bell rang, I lurched from my seat, ignoring the surprised titters around me and basically ran to Indie’s Art History class. I had to see her meeting up with Liam. I had to catch her eye and know the plan had worked. Shooting past the blue lockers, I tore down the stairs, trying not to bump into people, and raced around the corner to where her class was located. People were milling around outside, none of them Indie...or Liam.

My heart jumped into my throat as I looked at my watch. Crap. Crap. Crap!

Spinning around, I glanced up the stairs, across the grassy quad and then over my shoulder to the next block of buildings. No Liam. I didn’t see him coming from any building. In fact to make matters worse, the only thing I did spot coming my way was a flustered Libby.

She grabbed my wrist as soon as she got to me and yanked me to a private corner.

“What? What is it?”

It took her a moment to catch her breath. “I tried to stall Liam after Physics.” She frowned, looking guilty.

“It didn’t work?”

“Sort of. I mean I could tell he wanted to get away and then he gave me that look. The dark one that scares the living crap out of me. I backed away. I couldn’t...I’m sorry, Caitlyn.”

“No, it’s fine.” I rubbed her arm. “You did great.”

“I don’t think I did.”

“Why?”

“Well, I followed Liam to see where he was going and...well, he got to Indie’s class and she wasn’t there, so he ran to Art History to check on her. He actually went into the class.”

“Shit,” I whispered. “Did you see him come out again?”

“No, I had to get to my own class. I nearly got a detention for being late, but Ms. Caldwell was in a good mood today.” She blinked at tears and I squeezed her arm.