Walking down the hallway at school was awkward. Every set of eyes looking at me sent stabbing shots of anxiety through my blood. Jake wasn't in the usual place. Dana was nowhere to be seen. Not even Karla - not that I'm surprised.

How can you send a message like that about your sister to everyone. Did she think I wouldn't notice? That one tell-tale sign in that text, Kimmy. She's the only one who calls me that. Why would she even do that?! As it is I don't have any friend, or a boyfriend.

Lunch was twice as awkward. All the seats were taken, and Jake was with Valerie. I assume he's moved on now. I can't sit here, not at the cafeteria. I decide to sit where all the sad girls sit- in the bathroom.

I guess no one is sad enough to sit with me because even the sad girls leave when I walk in.
"Hey, where are you going? Don't you want to have lunch with me?"

Her rolling eyes answered my question. Of course she didn't want to. I don't even know her but she knew me. This bad rep that someone has created about me is spreading faster than wild fire. At this point, even teachers are eyeing me down with that I-can't-believe-you look.

The bell rings and I chuck away my lunch. All that thinking and the smell of the bathroom set my appetite aside.

I walked over to my locker to get my books for Drama. A note slipped out. It was a photo of me in the shower, me having breakfast and me asleep.

Who was taking these photos, and how did they get into my house? Scribbled on the back of the photos in scribbled, red writing was 'Kimmy, you can run but you can't hide...'

Am I being stalked?

***
Getting home I shut all my windows and curtains, got mom to buy a new lock for my room, and made sure I always showered with the lights off.

I was definitely scared. Just one envelope had suddenly made me rigid, on edge, and asking too many questions. If Karla was the one who sent the text, then how did she take the pictures? She was in the shower next door- and my door was locked. How did this person have pictures of me asleep?

I didn't talk to anyone. Why should I? In all this hype my mom had found out about the text and was definitely believing it.

My life was over. In the click of a button, I'd lost everyone's respect. And in the snap of a photo, I had lost respect for anyone who was out to get me.

Sitting in my room, I decided that if no one was going to help me, I'd have to help myself. So my list of suspects was still just Karla. But she didn't seem to fit in with the timing of the photos. Someone else was in on this. Someone who wanted to taunt me personally. Someone who had no reason for public humiliation. They wanted to feed off of me. I dialled Dana.

"What is it Kimberly?" Asked Dana.
"Thank God you answered. I just wanted to ask if you could come over? I've got some explaining to do."
"Okay, I'll be there soon," she sighed, with reluctance.

***

Hi Missies and Misters! 🎀

It's been a while, I know, but thank you so much for the reads, and have a Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁⭐️

My next Chapter for Playing Cards is coming soon too, so look out for it!

#StayMintyFresh🍃

~V💋