Chapter Twelve

Jasher steps into his darkened room, the silence a stark contrast to the party's din. He locks the door, his mind still reeling from the night's events. Billie's smile linger in his thoughts, her laughter echoing in his mind. She rarely smiled. He feels an unfamiliar thrill, like a spark igniting a flame.

As he changes into comfortable clothes, his gaze drifts to his bed, his mind still reeling from the events at the party. He couldn't shake off the feeling of humiliation, of being disgraced by Dana. But as he thinks back, one person stands out - Billie. She had saved him, intervened just in time to prevent a total disaster.

Jasher's curiosity was piqued. Who was this Billie really, and why had she helped him? He couldn't remember much about her, only that she was the new girl. The one everyone called a charity case because her mom worked for his dad.

As he thinks about Billie, Jasher's intrigue grows. He wanted to know more about her, to understand what motivates her. He tosses and turns, his mind racing with questions.

He had noticed himself looking for excuses to be near her, lingering in the background, observing her. She was smart, witty, and aloof, yet humble and kind.

The next day, Jasher spots Billie in the library, her nose buried in a book. He approaches her, his heart beating slightly faster. As he reaches out, he chickens out at the last minute and makes to hurriedly walk past her but in a rush, he knocks over her bag.

“Oh my -” he drops down to pick her bag and scattered books. “I'm so sorry.”

Jasher's gaze wander to Billie's journal, peeking out from her bag. He catches a glimpse of scribbled notes, a name underlined: "Veronica" - the first victim.

Billie snatches her bag from his grasp. “It's fine.”

“Ah right. I forgot to thank you for last night. You should let me buy you a drink sometime.”

“No need. It was nothing.” She goes back to her book and Jasher takes the opportunity to sit across from her, his gaze lingering on the book in her hand.

Discovering their shared love for true crime stories and psychological thrillers makes him feel fuzzy inside. Billie's passion was infectious, and Jasher finds himself drawn to her intensity.

His curiosity about her journal surfaces and he asks Billie about it. She brushes it off, saying she was just curious about the case.

Jasher's eyes narrows, he knows there's more. He senses a determination in Billie, a drive to uncover the truth. He feels a shiver run down his spine, a thrill of excitement. He doesn't know how he feels about her snooping around but he wants to know more about her investigation, to be a part of it.

"Hey, Billie? Can I ask you something?" Jasher says, his voice low and casual.

Billie looks up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Sure, what's up?"

Jasher leans in, his heart racing with anticipation. "What's really going on with you and this case? You're not just curious, are you?"

Billie's smile falters for a moment, before she regains her composure. "Just interested, that's all."

Jasher knows she’s hiding something. He makes a mental note to keep a closer eye on her, to uncover the truth behind her fascination with the case.