Chapter Nine

Dara buried her face in her arms as she sat at her desk. A month. Thirty long days with them. It felt like a cruel twist of fate. Why did it have to be Kim, Christian, and Jackson?

The room emptied, but she stayed and pondered. Memo. Chloe was right, it was odd. But did she really want to get involved?

As she pondered, she heard voices. She raised her head and saw Kim standing near the door. His arms were crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. "What do you want?" Dara asked, standing up.

Kim grinned. "Relax, I just came to talk to you."

She narrowed her eyes. "About what?"

"About the project. And other things." He stepped closer and sat down at the desk in front of her. Dara's first instinct was to stand and walk away, but something in his expression made her hesitate. He was not taunting her as he usually did.

"I'm listening," she said cautiously.

Kim exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, I know you're not happy about this. But we're going to get through this. Let's work together, get our grades up, and move on. No drama."

Dara frowned. "You wanted to say that, didn't you?"

Kim shook his head. "That's not all," he said. "I saw the way you looked at that note. You and Chloe are up to something."

Dara stiffened. "It's none of your business."

"If it's about me,then, it's my business." His words sent a chill down her spine. Did he know what the note said?

Dara stood up. "I have class."

Kim's smile returned. "See you later, partner."

She hurried out of the room, her heart pounding.

At lunch, Dara found Chloe waiting for her at her usual table.

"Did you bring the note?" Chloe asked as soon as she sat down.

Dara hesitated, glanced around, then carefully pulled the note from her bag and slid it out.

Chloe unfolded it and read it again. "This handwriting looks familiar."

Dara leaned forward. "You know who wrote it, don't you?"

"I don't know, but I have a feeling." Chloe tapped her fingers on the table. "We need to figure out what it means."

Dara sighed. "I don't want to get involved in anything dangerous, Chloe."

"Then why don't you throw the note away?" Dara couldn't answer. She didn't want to admit it, but she was curious. Before she could say anything, Christian took a seat beside her.

"What's up, ladies?"

Dara stepped aside. "Do you have to sit here?"

He said with a wink. "We're a team."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Christian leaned forward. "I just wanted to make sure Dara wasn't going to run away from us."

Dara frowned. "Why would I?"

"Because you don't seem very happy to be with us, " he answered.

"I don't blame you," she retorted.

Christian chuckled. "But you know, this project might not be so bad. Who knows? Who knows? You might even like us."

"That's impossible," Dara murmured.

Christian stood up and stretched. 'I'll see you later at the library. It's our first team bonding session."

Dara groaned as he walked away. "This is going to be a nightmare." But Chloe looked thoughtful. "What is it?" Dara asked.

"They seem to know more than they're saying," Chloe said. "I have a feeling they know more than they're letting on."

That evening, Dara sat at one of the long wooden tables in the school library.

It was almost empty except for a few students quietly working. Chloe sat next to her, flipping through a book as Christian, Kim, and Jackson came in one by one.

Kim slid into the seat across from Dara and gave her a silent glance before looking away. "Jackson," she said, putting down her notebook. "We need to learn something about each other, so let's start with the basics."

Christian grinned. "Okay, I'll go first. My name is Christian, I'm 22, I like women, and I love to make Dara uncomfortable."

Dara glared at him. You're doing a great job." Christian winked. "Thank you, your highness. "

Jackson rolled his eyes. "I'll go next. I'm Jackson, I'm 22 years old, I like music. Chloe is next."

"Chloe, 20, future detective."

Dara sighed, "Dara, 20 years old. I just want to get through this year in one piece."

Kim was last. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Kim, twenty-two, that's all you need to know." 

Christian chuckled. Kim's expression darkened. Dara squared her chin. "Let's just focus on the project and get it over with. Thanks."

For a moment, no one opened their mouths.

Jackson cleared his throat. "Good. How are we going to do this project?"

"We're going to learn about each other," Chloe said.

Christian grinned. "I have an idea. How about a game?"

Dara immediately shook her head. "No games."

Christian ignored her. "We each ask one question. The others must answer honestly."

"This feels stupid," Dara muttered. 

"Scared?" Christian teased. 

Dara huffed. 'No, I am not. if I don't like the question, I won't answer it."

Christian grinned. "All right! I'll start. Dara, what is your biggest secret?"

Dara's jaw tightened. "None of your business,"

"You agreed to play the game," Christian said.

Dara glanced at Chloe, who nodded encouragingly.

After a long silence, she sighed. "Fine. My biggest secret is that I don't trust anyone at this school." Christian's smile faded.

"Interesting," Jackson said. 

"My turn," Chloe said. "Kim, are you interested in my friend?"

Kim's eyes darkened. "I'll pass."

Christian laughed. "Hey, At least pretend like you are participating."

Kim exhaled. "Chloe has a lot of friends, which of them are you referring to?" His friends laughed, knowing he was trying to dodge the question.

They continued the game, but Dara's mind went back to the note.

Who had written it? What did it mean? And why did she feel that by the end of this project, she would no longer be the same person?