Iris and I are quiet as we leave the auditorium. We file out of the building, and it's not until we're outside and away from the bulk of the crowd that I gather the nerve to break the silence.

I lower my voice so the students nearby don't overhear. "Kate died at the cliffs, didn't she?"

Iris doesn't look at me. "Yes."

The word tingles like static electricity. "And you know this because that's what it looked like when they found Ava. All those emergency vehicles parked on the shore?"

She hesitates for so long, I'm not sure if she's going to answer. Finally, she nods.

I draw in a slow breath. "Why do you think Mr. McKenzie didn't tell us what happened?"

"He said there's going to be a formal investigation. They did the same thing for Ava. It's probably mandatory." Iris tilts her head at me. "Why? What are you thinking?"

I bite my lip and turn away. One of the last things Xander said before we parted ways last night is to keep what we know to ourselves. I'd planned on telling Iris that Kate has—had—my sister's phone. I've involved her in everything up to this point, and now keeping what I know to myself feels wrong. But maybe Xander's right? The fewer people we involve, the less likely there will be trouble.

"It's just weird, don't you think?" I say, glancing back at her.

"Everything's weird anymore. There's a black storm cloud hanging over Maliseet Bay. It's like we're all cursed." We curve around the building and take the path leading back to our dorm. "Did you ever ask Xander what you wanted to?"

"You mean, if he was seeing Ava?" I think back to our conversation in the cemetery, when I found Xander in the middle of a gravestone rubbing. He was pissed when I brought it up, but never actually said he didn't sleep with my sister. All he admitted to was not being involved with her. When you think about it, those are two entirely different things.

But something in my gut tells me he wasn't the father of her baby. "He said they weren't together. And just so you know, you were right about Stone. I no longer think he's guilty."

Her eyebrows arch in my direction. "What finally convinced you?"

I shrug, unwilling to give up that piece of information. Whoever Stone dates is his own business—even if he is hooking up with Eli. "I just decided you were right. Him and Ava together again after all that time doesn't make any sense."

"Good. I'm glad that's out of your head. From here on out, I think we need to rely on what we know are facts. No more what ifs or jumping to conclusions."

"You're right again."

I hate lying to her like this, but I'm telling myself it's for her own good. I have no idea where any of this is headed. If for some reason this entire thing blows up in my face, I don't want Iris to get hit by the shrapnel.

"So, what now?" she asks.

I shake my head. "I have no idea. I guess I'd still like to speak with Theo and see if I can get her to spill whatever it was she was going to tell me."

"Do you think that's a good idea given the current situation?"

"With Kate?" I turn the thought over in my head. "I don't see why not. It's not like they were friends."

"Still," Iris says, her brows drawing inward. "Whether she was friends with Kate or not, it might be poor timing. Everyone will be impacted by what just happened—believe me. You saw how emotional Mr. McKenzie was. He's been best friends with Kate's father since they were students here. Maybe we should give it a day or two and let things settle down first?"

But I'm so tired of wasting time. Someone out there knows something, and I'm ready to find out what it is. "How about after lunch?"

Iris laughs. "You're bloody impatient, aren't you?"

She has no idea.

🔘

When we get back to Asher House, my cell pings with a text from Xander. Hey. Are you okay?

He's worried about me. Despite the traumatic start to our day, I bite back a smile and return his text. I'm ok how r u?

Xander: I've been better. This is getting insane.

Me: I can't believe she's dead. Do u think it has smth 2 do w Ava's phone or is it just a weird coincidence?

Xander: I don't believe in coincidences.

That sounds like something he'd say. It's like how he believes his mother didn't pass away for no reason. His faith in something greater means there is always an explanation, and if the explanation can be determined, then there is no coincidence.

Me: Idk how I'm going to pull this off but I need to find Ava's phone. Maybe I should check in on her roommate. Tell her how sorry I am about Kate & try to look around her dorm?

Xander: No offense, but that's the worst plan I've ever heard.

It's not my favorite idea either, but what other choice do I have? Jessa knows Kate and I didn't get along. If I went to see her, she probably wouldn't even let me inside. But I'm not above a little breaking and entering...

Xander: Let's meet in the cemetery after lunch. I'll bring my art bag so it doesn't look suspicious. We don't need anyone figuring out what we're up to.

What we're up to. Xander is still planning to help me.

My pulse accelerates. If I didn't believe before that someone was responsible for Ava's death, I definitely believe it now. Like Xander said, there's no way Kate's death is a coincidence. I'm willing to bet on it.

By the time lunch rolls around, my stomach is tied in knots. Iris and I grab our trays, but the only thing I put on mine is a cup of strawberry yogurt.

"You're not hungry?" Iris asks as she follows me to a table.

I shake my head and plop into a seat. "If I eat, I'm going to puke. And I've already done that enough this week."

"Vodka is not your friend," she agrees, taking the chair beside me.

It's no Jack Daniels, that's for sure. Jack I can handle.

I peel back the foil lid and drop my spoon into the pink cream. Students fill up nearly every table around us, but no one is talking. Goosebumps rise along my arms. "I hate how quiet it is in here."

"Same." Iris cringes. "It's feeding my anxiety. I can't even take a full breath, like there's no room left in my lungs."

I know exactly what she means.

When I finally take a bite of yogurt, it sinks like a rock to the bottom of my stomach. I push the tray away. "Do you think anything will happen to the school now that there's been two deaths?"

"What do you mean—like, they'll close it down?" Iris thinks as she takes a sip of tea. "I doubt it, that seems pretty drastic. They'll probably just find a way to block off access to the cliffs. There's no way they're going to let anyone up there now. It's too—"

A noise in the cafeteria line grabs our attention.

A small crowd blocks the commotion, and at first I can't tell what's going on. Until I hear someone cry out. I can't make out the words, but the voice is male. And angry. I crane my neck for a better look, and the sight sucks the air out of me.

Drew and Xander are standing nose to nose in the center of a growing circle of students. And judging by their expressions, things are about to get ugly.

🔘

I'm so sorry for the delay with this chapter! I was so close to finishing the ONC contest (which honestly came as a huge surprise), I put this one on hold for a few weeks so I could submit. Now that it's over and we're waiting on results, I'm fully committed to finishing Sweet Deadly Lies! Thank you for your patience! And if you're into 90s-inspired rom-coms, This Thing Called Love is now complete!