Michelle sighed as she sat down on the locker room bench. "I still don't see why you interviewed with them," she said. "I mean, even though they're 'remaining neutral,' they still revealed that the rumors were about you."

"Everyone already knew that," Meagan noted.

"Still, they could've given her the benefit of the doubt. Or they could've minded their own business and left the police to figure out the truth."

Meagan nodded, replying, "I can agree with you on that."

"At least they listened to my side," Camilla added, "and published it for everyone to read. I'll take what I can get at this point."

The publishing of her full name was the least of her worries. After her interview, Camilla was certain that the next Tiger Times paper would accuse Camilla of being responsible for Chloe Lynch's disappearance-perhaps, her unconfirmed death. However, the next newspaper provided exactly what Camilla wanted: a full account of her perspective. It left her with only one conclusion.

The committee was planning something.

Until she discovered what, her main priority was reassuring Michelle that the interview was a good decision, though Camilla doubted it was.

I should never listen to anyone but myself, she thought.

Meagan turned to Camilla, saying, "I'm glad you did the interview. Now, everyone has a fresh perspective directly from the accused."

Michelle opened her mouth, but Camilla cut her off. "We'll see what it accomplishes."

"If anything," Michelle murmured.

"In the meantime," Camilla continued, "I'm not going to worry about it. I've said my piece."

Yet, it had been nagging at her for days. How much could Zoey and Leah possibly know? And how had they so easily discovered it without a reasonable doubt?

Increased chatter in the locker room caught the trio's attention. The words "new student" clung to Camilla, luring her towards the rest of the girls, who formed a chattering circle.

"Are you talking about André?" Camilla questioned. André had moved over a week ago, so she found it odd that the topic would cause so much excitement.

One of the girls shook her head. "No, it's a new senior. Her name's Avery."

"She's coming to the game tonight," another girl added, "and she said she's interested in joining the team!"

The group erupted with joy, and Camilla habitually mimicked their behavior.

"Another new student?" she asked. "That's great, but it's such a crazy coincidence."

"That is crazy," Michelle commented, joining the conversation. "I wonder where she's from."

"Maybe the coach will introduce us later," one girl said. "They met earlier today."

"I hope so," Camilla said.

I'll take anything to distract these people, she thought, backing away from the crowd. As long as this Avery girl follows André's lead and supports me, this will be perfect.

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"Go, Garcia!"

The crowd roared with applause as André met the end zone. The cheerleaders waved flags with the tiger mascot and tumbled down the track. Camilla smiled through their next cheer routines. The audience fueled her.

For his first game, André was quite a boost to the team. It seemed every player had scored more touchdowns than usual, and Edwardsville High School was on course for their first victory in a month. The crowd, cheerleaders, and football players were amped up. Only one player was off.

Jared Acker had been acting strangely all day. In fact, he had been off since André moved. Camilla could only assume it was jealousy, and based on Michelle's hints, that seemed even more likely.

"I bet they're glad André moved here," Camilla remarked as the girls repositioned themselves.

Michelle shrugged, responding, "Not all of them."

"Is it really because André is doing well? I thought Jared would be happy the team is playing better."

"I never said anything about Jared-"

"Michelle, I'm not stupid. Jared has something against André. I just don't know what it is."

With a sigh, Michelle turned to Camilla. "I can't tell you everything, but I do have something to ask." Camilla nodded, urging her to continue. "Are you planning on pursuing André?"

Camilla paused. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, we both know someone who might feel a certain way about that."

"Jared has no say in who I talk to."

"You're right, but he's still entitled to his emotions. He's allowed to be hurt."

Camilla rolled her eyes. Of course he's hurt, she thought. That's too bad for him. If he really thinks I care one bit about him, he needs to open his eyes.

"He can be upset all he wants," Camilla acknowledged. "It's not going to stop me from asking André out tonight."

Michelle gasped. "Are you serious?"

Camilla smirked and shrugged. "Check the group chat later and see for yourself."

Despite being Jared's close friend, Michelle gushed. She tossed various questions at Camilla, but the band began to play, and they had to cheer.

Camilla would never tell Michelle that asking out André was something she impulsively decided upon. She already knew Jared's feelings lingered-she was responsible for that-so she wanted to toy with him. If their history had shown her anything, Jared was susceptible to such manipulation, and Camilla was skilled at utilizing it. Her amusement was a plus.

The game continued, and so did Michelle's interrogation. Camilla answered as vaguely as possible. She found Michelle's curiosity entertaining, to say the least.

Her fun was halted as she saw someone with a looming figure on the other side of the fence. Those familiar dark eyes stared at her, locking her into place. Camilla frequently became so caught up in all the excitement and drama of her social life that her criminal problems were tossed to the background. Zoey's attendance-dark and powerful-drew Camilla swiftly back to reality.

Zoey appeared to be alone. Leah was nowhere in sight. Neither, Camilla realized, was Amy, who should have been with the marching band. Since Amy began to skip classes, Camilla had almost forgotten about her altogether. She had stayed out of the way.

As though Camilla's thoughts summoned her, Amy met Zoey. Following Zoey's gaze, Amy looked right at Camilla. Her expression was devoid of the fear Camilla had seen two weeks before. Instead, her face held a strange determination that mirrored Zoey's. It became even clearer to Camilla that they were plotting against her, but she still did not know how.

Zoey caressed Amy's arm with foreign gentleness, guiding her from the fence to the bleachers. Camilla shuddered. Having those calculating eyes on her all night was sure to drain her. And knowing they were up to something was even more frightening. Camilla knew they had met based on the newspaper about Amy's interview, but she had no idea they had surpassed an acquaintanceship. Amy's connection with the newspaper committee-now a group of three against her-was beyond concerning.

Burning stares exhausted Camilla for the rest of the second quarter. The clock could not run out any slower. Finally, halftime began, and the cheerleaders filed to the edge of the track. Their coach joined them as usual, but she had a guest with her.

"Girls," she called, "I have someone to introduce you to."

The team chattered excitedly, crowding in front of the pair. Camilla observed the new girl, Avery. She was short and tan with thick brown hair and dark brown eyes to match. She was naturally beautiful with full lips and brows.

"Hey, guys," Avery greeted, beaming. "My name's Avery Covington, but you can call me Ava. I'm a senior, and I just moved here. I'm hoping to join the cheer team soon, so maybe I'll be here for the next game."

The team tossed questions at Ava, which she answered with enthusiasm. As the cheer captain, Camilla strode to the front to meet Ava. Before looking up to see Camilla in front of her, Ava moved to the side, speaking with other teammates. Camilla shuffled, attempting to catch Ava's attention again, but she turned away.

Camilla fought back a scowl. So eager to meet everyone besides me? she thought, appalled.

As she observed the group, Meagan approached Ava with no problem, introducing herself and having a quick chat. Camilla shook her head and turned away to hide her distaste.

Walking from the field, André caught her eye. He laughed with some other players before meeting Camilla's gaze. She smiled as he flashed her a grin. She offered a small wave as he exited the stadium. Jared wasn't far behind. He watched Camilla closely until she noticed him. He, too, waved at her, but she only showed the same poised smile and turned away.

She could only imagine his disappointment. Pathetic, she thought.

As the halftime show was being set up, the girls moved to sit near the end zone. Camilla watched as Ava split from the group, looking distantly in the direction of the departing football players. Camilla took this as the perfect opportunity to introduce herself. She shuffled up to Ava and planted herself directly in front of her.

"Hi, Ava," Camilla said, forcing the corners of her lips upwards. Ava did not reciprocate. "I didn't want to interrupt you meeting the rest of the team, but I'm Camilla. I'm the cheer captain, and-"

"I know who you are," Ava snapped, dark brows angled in a glare.

Camilla blinked. "Well, great. I'm glad we're able to officially meet, then."

Ava's gaze flicked down and back up to meet Camilla's. "Speak for yourself."

Ava spun back towards the team and joined them on the ground. Meanwhile, Camilla stared at her, stunned. As she drifted back towards Meagan and Michelle, she sifted through the possible reasons she had provoked Ava. The only instance that came to mind was that Ava heard about the allegations against Camilla. It was unlikely that Ava would find out so soon, especially since André was still in the dark after moving in over a week ago. Still, it was the only likely possibility that came to mind. Perhaps, she had inside information from someone here. Perhaps, she had a connection with someone at Edwardsville High School before moving.

Perhaps, she was in touch with the newspaper committee.

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The game ended in a massive victory for the Tigers. As the audience roared and the band played, the cheerleaders rushed to congratulate the football players. Camilla aimed to speak with André first, but he was surrounded by his own teammates. She weaved through the crowd to find him, but unfortunately her ex-boyfriend found her first.

"Hey, Camilla," Jared said, hardly audible over the cheers.

"Oh, hi," she replied, still shuffling towards her target. "Great game tonight."

Jared followed her as best as he could. "Yeah, it was." He hesitated. "Could we-"

"André!" Camilla called, snatching his attention. She slipped past Jared and pulled André into a hug. "You were so great."

André hardly paused before holding Camilla by the waist. "Thank you," he said.

She released him but left a hand on his chest. "Of course. How could I not notice how amazing you were tonight?" Camilla slid her hand away. "I had something I wanted to ask you. Could you meet me near the locker rooms later?"

André smiled. "Sure thing."

"Great. I'll text you." Camilla turned where Jared still stood behind her. "Bye, Jared."

He looked at her with a pained expression but said nothing as she strutted past him. She rejoined her teammates to soak in the victory. Ava was no longer in the group, much to Camilla's relief. Moments later, they returned to the locker rooms. As Camilla expected, André was not there yet, though she was sure he'd show up once he wasn't so busy.

In her gossiping nature, Michelle filled Meagan in on the news with André, leaving Camilla with a flurry of questions as soon as she reunited with the pair. She answered them with deception, caring less about asking André out and more about understanding Ava's motives.

Ava was, once again, the topic of choice in the locker room. Because Camilla was team captain, she stayed the latest, meaning she reluctantly had to hear all of it. As many distractions as she had, there was no escaping her enemies.

Meagan and Michelle left just a moment before Camilla, who stayed behind to check that the room was tidy. Truthfully, her mind was racing. Finishing, she left to find Michelle giggling in the hallway. Meagan shook her head and dragged Michelle to the exit door, waving briefly to Camilla as the door shut them out. Unsurprisingly, André waited across from Camilla.

He leaned against the wall, saying, "Fancy seeing you here."

Camilla walked towards him, her footsteps resounding in the otherwise silent hall. "Did Michelle say too much?" she asked.

"Nothing intelligible," he responded with a laugh. "Although, I could guess what she wanted to say."

"Go on."

André pushed off the wall and inched closer to Camilla's face. "You're going to ask me out."

Camilla smirked. "How intuitive."

"Go on. Ask me."

"I've never met someone before who's as forward as me."

He drew closer. "Sounds like a good match."

Camilla grinned. "Would you like to go to the Sacred Grounds Café with me?"

"I'd love to. How about tomorrow at 12?"

Camilla nodded. "It's a date."

He offered a hand to her, and she took it. "Let me walk you to your car."

"What a gentleman."

André held the exit door open for Camilla. "I have to make sure your parents approve."

Before she could hide it, Camilla cringed. Her mother would approve of André, no doubt. Her father, on the other hand, approved of no one, not even his own daughter. On the rare occasions he visited the house, he made sure to remind Camilla of that.

As André looked to Camilla for a response, she said, "Good luck with that."

Taking the hint, he kept quiet as they approached her car. His thumb brushed over her hand. Stopping at her car, André lifted her arm and brought the back of her hand to his lips. Camilla clenched her jaw, fighting to recoil. As his warm eyes fluttered open, she plastered on an embarrassed expression.

"I'll see you tomorrow," André muttered, breath tickling her wrist.

Camilla forced her hand in place, replying, "Goodnight, André."

"Goodnight, Camilla."

With a final squeeze, he released Camilla's hand and wandered off. She hardly thought once about him after he was out of her sight in the sea of vehicles.

From the edge of her vision, she detected movement. It was near the door she had exited from. A figure dressed in all black scurried from the door to a parked truck only a few feet away. They were concealed enough to evade identification, but not camouflaged enough to keep hidden. Has the vehicle's door been opened or moved shortly after, Camilla may have left the scene with little suspicion. However, the person seemed to have left the building-which otherwise should have been empty-and seemed to be sneaking around.

Camilla's eyes narrowed as she left the security of her own car to examine the truck next to the building. As she approached, she quieted her footsteps to near silence. She could hear no movement other than her breathing, which sounded louder than usual. Coming upon the truck, Camilla halted. With an exhale, she rushed to the side parallel to the building, but she saw no one. She wedged into the suspected hiding spot and kneeled down to check under the truck. Suddenly, she saw someone's feet running across the asphalt on the other side of the truck.

By the time Camilla emerged to investigate, the person had vanished.