Chapter Seven: Secrets

I took off my somewhat sticky clothes and caught side of the slight bulge on the back pocket of my jean skirt, I curiously dipped my hand into my pocket and took out a neatly folded piece of paper. I felt intrigued, ready to read whatever was in there but decided against it since the dirt from my sticky clothes was starting to get to me, I dropped the piece of paper into my drawer and walked into my bathroom.

I set the water to my desired temperature and turned the shower on with the intention of letting the water heat up before my bath, I slipped my hand under the shower and the rest of my body followed shortly after as I enjoyed the warm water on my bare body ridding it of any dusts or germs.

My mind went back to the stranger I'd met earlier as I took my bar of lavender scented soap, he seemed so ominous, like a giant red flag, someone who would be the death of me but I wanted to know him, be friends with him, It would be hard considering how he'd worn a mask and cap during our recent encounter.

I remembered clearly how he had accurately stated the distance between my house and his and I wondered what he had meant when he said he was a fan of my work, it was the only good thing that had happened today but it was obvious he wasn't referring to my cheerleading.

I sighed softly as I dropped my soap and reached out for my shampoo to treat my hair which had been viciously attacked by the rain, I squirted some of the contents of the bottle on my head and massaged my scalp, Tyson would definitely scold me if he knew what was going on, I didn't care much of him now, he attacked our friendship when he kissed Rhea.

I successfully washed off the shampoo and decided to remain in the shower for a few extra minutes, I closed my eyes I was getting tired of the mess that came with me being death's vision, a loud thud in my bedroom snapped me out of my thoughts and I turned off my shower and wrapped myself in my towel.

I got out of my shower and made my way to the bathroom door ready to attack the intruder, I waltzed into my bedroom and eyed Tyson's figure in disappointment, his lips separated partly and his eyes roamed on my body making me shudder as I gripped tightly on the short towel

"What are you doing here?"

He seemed to finally leave his trance although his gaze remained the same "Earlier today..." I huffed completely cutting him off

"You made out with Rhea and still showed up at the pep rally to mess with me."

He cocked his head to a side and a slight smirk spread across his face "To be fair any student can come and besides," he looked straight at me with a blank face "She's blackmailing me…"

I smacked his forehead "I always told you to stay out of trouble and you never listened, look what you've done."

"Jeez sorry mum," I eyerolled "She made me kiss her when she saw you coming although she warned me not to touch her," he sighed and ran a hand through his dark brown hair "You've been distant, hiding things from me and I know it has something to do with Rhea."

He stayed quiet and I squeezed my hands into fists "I'm hiding something from you, but I don't think I'll ever be allowed to tell you." He stayed quiet and I sighed "Sorry."

He smiled brightly "You apologize too much," he patted my head "I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He made his way to my window and I watched him in silence as he crawled out, I felt too flustered to speak, I felt irritated. I walked into my closet and put on a white shirt and grey sweatpants, it would make my studying a lot easier.

The sight of my sticky clothes on my mattress reminded me of the note still waiting to be read, I tiredly tossed my clothes into my laundry bin and opened my closet taking out the piece of paper.

I opened and felt my eyes instantly grow to saucers, 'maybe I read it wrong' was the only assurance I could give myself as I read through the paper a second time.

I know your secret…

I refused to believe someone out there knew Rhea was death and I was her vision, there had to be a more logical explanation, a realistic one, if it was based on that this letter would be false, I didn't have anything to hide, I tried my best to stay out of trouble in other to avoid any defects in my college application when the time eventually came.

I crumpled the note and placed my forehead on my knees, if someone knew who I was, I could be exposed, Rhea would yell at me and Kyle would probably breakup with me, I found myself drifting back to the stranger, maybe this was what he implied when he said he was a big fan of my work.

I shook my head, I refused to believe he knew, I didn't know his name or anything about him, I probably would have noticed if he tried to sneak anything into my back pocket.

I sighed, the consequences of our actions finally seemed vivid and mentally exhausting, the stranger alongside Tyson and Kyle were ruled as my main suspects and I plopped down on my bed my mind occupied with two things.

How I would tell Rhea that someone was unto us and if the masked boy was truly innocent, I shook my head, I needed to find him at school tomorrow. I tossed the paper in the trash and texted Kyle, I needed something to do, something to make me feel normal

Let's go out tomorrow

I sighed and stared out the window "Please don't be guilty stranger."