Chapter Eight

Billie wipes the sweat from her forehead as she pushes the lawn mower across the lush green grass. She's been tending to the lawn for hours, a punishment her mom assigned to her on Saturdays. As she turns a corner, she notices a figure approaching her from next door. It's Max, that weird kid at the funeral, sporting his signature creepy smile. Or maybe it was creepy only to her.

"Hey, Billie! Looking good out here," Max says, eyeing the neatly manicured lawn. "You're a natural."

Billie cracks a smile that didn't reach her eyes, feeling a sense of pride in her work. "Thanks. My mom made me do it. She assumes I don't have a life."

“Do you have a life though?”

“No.” She snorts and he laughs.

Max leans against the fence, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what do you think of La salle county so far?"

Billie hesitates, unsure how to express her true feelings. "It's...nice, I guess. But I have to admit, I'm a bit bored."

Max nods sympathetically. "I know what you mean. It can be a bit quiet for some people's taste. But trust me, there's more to this town than meets the eye."

He pauses, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Want to explore some of the local hotspots with me? I can take you to the most popular cafe in town, where all the teens hang out."

Billie's curiosity is piqued. She didn't really love the crowd, but she was curious. She needed to know something, anything about the kids at Sinclair Prep. "Sure, why not?"

Max grins. "Great! I'll pick you up at 2 pm tomorrow. And don't worry, I'll introduce you to some cool people."

The next day, Billie finds herself sitting at a cozy table in the bustling cafe, surrounded by the chatter of teens engaged in heated chess matches. Max introduces her to his friends, a diverse group of students who share a passion for strategy and competition. Billie is intrigued by their intensity and focus.

She loves chess.

“You're in the chess club?”

“Yep,” Max smacks his lips. “Unfortunately, that's the only thing I'm famous for.”

As she scans the room, her gaze lands on a familiar figure sitting at an end corner, engrossed in a mystery novel. Jasher. Her heart skips a beat as she stares, mesmerized by the sight of him.

Max follows her gaze and smiles knowingly. "Ah, you've spotted Jasher. He's a bit of a loner, but a genius in his own right."

Billie's eyes remain fixed on Jasher, taking in the sight of him reading one of her favorite novels. She feels a shiver run down her spine as their eyes meet, but Jasher merely nods in acknowledgement before returning to his book.

“Why's he always alone?”

Max shrugs. “He never really fit in since his arrival in middle school. No one wants to be friends with anyone on coleson's black list.”

“Why does coleson hate him so much?”

“First it was because he was from the city. Then it became worse when Veronica dumbed him for jasher.”

That shocks her. So Veronica and Coleson used to date. Well, that's one motive. She keeps a mental note of this information.

The faint chatter of the chess club recedes into the background as Billie finds herself lost in the intensity of Jasher's gaze. She feels an inexplicable connection to him, as if they share a secret understanding.

Max's voice breaks the spell, inviting her to join the chess club. Billie hesitates, unsure if she's ready to commit to a new group. But as she glances at Jasher, she feels a spark of determination ignite within her.

"I'd love to join," she says, her voice firm.

Max grins, welcoming her to the club. As Billie delves into the world of chess, she can't help but wonder what other secrets La salle county holds, and what lies beneath Jasher's enigmatic surface.

As the afternoon wears on, Billie finds herself engrossed in a heated game of chess, her mind racing with strategies and counter-moves. Max appears at her side, offering words of advice and guidance. Their hands touch as they move pieces on the board.

She can't help but steal glances at Jasher, wondering what secrets he hides behind his piercing gaze. As the game ends, and Billie emerges victorious, Max offers a nod of approval.

"You're a natural," he says, his voice low and smooth.

Billie smiles, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. As she packs up the chessboard, she can't help but feel a sense of belonging, of finding her place in this new town.

As they leave the cafe, Max turns to her with a grin. "So, what do you think? Ready to take on the chess club?"

Billie nods, her heart racing with excitement. "Definitely."

He falls into step beside her, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "I'll be watching you, Billie. You have potential."