Exposed

Maya hadn't been to school for a week. It was the longest stretch she had ever been absent. The usual hum of Westwood Academy felt off without her presence.

Eddie couldn't stop thinking about her. The unanswered messages, the empty chair at their usual hangouts—it all felt wrong. He kept questioning everything. The way she used to act, the way she talked, the walls she built around herself. He had thought it was just her nature, a defense mechanism, but now, with the sudden silence, it was different.

Everything about her had been a façade.

The clothes. The attitude. The cold, calculated persona she'd built to survive. Eddie realized with a pang that Maya wasn't just playing a game—she was living in a constant state of fear.

And that was why she kept her distance from everyone.

"Maybe she's with Sally, right?" Zeke asked, his voice pulling Eddie from his spiraling thoughts.

Eddie barely glanced at him. "Yeah… but…"

Zeke raised an eyebrow. "What? You don't believe it?"

Eddie shook his head. "I just… I don't know. I feel like there's something more going on. Something's wrong."

At the same time, across town, Vic sat next to Jackie at a table in a small, dimly lit restaurant. The conversation had been light at first, but now, the silence between them felt heavy.

Jackie noticed that Vic wasn't paying attention. His gaze kept darting back to his phone, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the screen.

She frowned. "You're not listening to me, are you?"

Vic sighed, glancing at her. "Sorry. I've just been thinking about something."

Jackie felt a flicker of annoyance. "What, still about Maya?"

Vic stiffened, his eyes flickering to the side. "What do you mean?"

"You're obsessed with her, aren't you?" Jackie's voice was sharp, biting.

Vic's voice softened, but the frustration was evident. "She's been missing for a week. You don't think that's strange?"

Jackie rolled her eyes. "So what? She'll show up when she's ready. She's probably off doing whatever the hell she does. She's probably not coming back."

Vic looked away, his thoughts heavy. "You don't understand. She's not like this. Something's wrong."

Jackie stared at him, her eyes narrowing. "You're still hung up on her."

Vic didn't respond.

Jackie's annoyance flared, and in an effort to cool the tension, she forced a smile. "Fine. If you want to keep thinking about her, go ahead. Let's just enjoy tonight, okay? It's just you and me, no drama."

Vic nodded absently, but Jackie could tell he wasn't really listening. He stood up to use the bathroom, and as he walked away, Jackie's eyes locked onto his phone.

The temptation was too strong.

When Vic entered the bathroom, Jackie acted quickly. She grabbed his phone, sliding it out of his jacket pocket. She unlocked it easily—he had never been the type to use a passcode. Her heart was pounding as she scrolled through his messages.

Then, her eyes landed on something she hadn't expected.

Pictures. Explicit ones. Of Maya.

Jackie's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the images on the screen. There were more than just a couple—they were intimate, personal. Vic had kept them hidden.

Her mind raced with rage. She wasn't just angry at Maya; she was furious at Vic for letting himself get wrapped up in whatever he thought was going on between them.

Jackie's fingers trembled as she saved the photos to her phone. She quickly created a fake profile, not thinking twice. The plan formed in her mind as the anger boiled over.

Once she was sure Vic was still in the bathroom, Jackie sent the photos to herself. Then, she uploaded them to the school's group chat, creating a fake account to ensure no one would trace it back to her.

The second she hit "send," a sick thrill ran through her body. She stared at the messages flooding in. The reactions were instant.

Is that Maya?

What the hell?

That's messed up.

She's such a slut.

This is disgusting.

Jackie couldn't help but grin. She had no loyalty to Maya, not anymore. If this was what it took to make Vic see the truth, then so be it.

The next morning, Maya woke up to a sea of messages and notifications. She had been avoiding her phone, trying to block out the world for just a little longer. But when she opened it, her stomach dropped.

The group chat.

Her eyes scanned the messages, each one more venomous than the last. Then, she saw them. The pictures.

Her breath hitched in her chest.

It was her.

Her face, her body, on display for everyone to see. She stared at the images for a long time, the weight of it sinking in. This was happening.

She felt exposed. Humiliated.

Jackie had done this.

Her worst fear was coming true. Everyone at school was seeing her like this.

Maya walked into school with her head down, her steps slow and heavy. The whispers followed her, sharp and cutting. She ignored them, focusing on keeping her composure.

She walked past Eddie, not meeting his gaze. She couldn't. She couldn't face him right now.

The tension in the air was palpable. Maya could feel the stares, the eyes on her back. She kept her head down, pretending it didn't hurt.

But it did.

When she sat down at her usual spot, her phone buzzed again. Another message.

She didn't need to check it, but something told her she had to.

Her fingers shook as she unlocked it.

The group chat.

The comments were rolling in:

Did you see the photos?

That's her, right?

What a slut.

Maya's stomach turned as she scrolled through the messages. Her face felt hot, and she could hear the cruel laughter in the background.

And there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Jackie watched Maya from across the room, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. She had done it. Maya was broken. And Vic? He would never look at her the same way again.

But what Jackie didn't realize was that Vic's gaze wasn't on her anymore. His eyes were locked on Maya, a flicker of guilt passing through them.

It was too late now. The damage had been done.