"I don't know. I mean, I barely know the guy. Scratch that, I've known him most of my life. But I never knew him like this. I really do like him, but I just feel like something is wrong, you know?"

Casey continues to talk as her and Taylor walk past one of the shops inside the Riverside Mall. Taylor peers over at the nearby window they pass, focusing on the mannequin of a young boy wearing a red sweater.

"Earth to Taylor."

"Huh?" Taylor spins around.

Casey flings her several shopping bags at her side. "Where have you been?!"

"I was listening."

"Uh huh." She rolls her eyes and carries on talking. "I mean, Tay, you would tell me if I'm spazzing out, right? I know it's been a while since I've been in a serious relationship but this one feels right. Lately though he's just been kinda distant."

They stop next to a railing that overlooks the first floor of the mall. Paige and one of the sophomore cheerleaders, Kira Walker, exit from a store on the first level. Kira has long blonde hair that she often styles in a loose ponytail she lets ride on her shoulder. She's always peppy and full of energy, a girl that often gets taken advantage of for her blind kindness. The polar opposite of Paige. Taylor watches as the two walk over to the escalator.

"I think you should stop seeing him." Taylor blurts out.

"What? Why?"

"If he's been acting distant, then clearly he's just not that committed to the relationship." She lies. She has known for years that Riley is head over heels for Casey, and she knows why he's acting different. But she doesn't want her best friend being drug into this mess they made, Casey doesn't deserve that. Especially if there is someone out there who is targeting them.

After all, that is why she has been keeping her distance with Marc lately. The fewer people involved, the better. She knows she has to break up with him, for his own well being, but doesn't know how to do it or what to say. How do you tell someone you love that it's over?

Casey shakes her head as she twirls one of the shopping bags with her fingers. "No, I don't think so..."

"Case, Riley is a football player. Just like Morgan. And although I hate to mention this and bring up disturbing imagery that will take years to scrub out of my mind, Morgan has probably had sex with half of the cheerleading team."

"Riley isn't Morgan." Casey's tone grows defensive.

Taylor continues to stare at the first level as she tries her best to avoid eye contact. "No, but he's his friend. One of his best friends. Wolves like to travel in packs."

"I don't get that simile."

"Metaphor."

Shaking her head again, Casey peers over the railing to follow Taylor's gaze. "Whatever. Look, Riley is a good guy. Although it scares the hell out of me to admit it, I trust him. And you know I don't do that easily."

Taylor bites her tongue.

"I just want to find out what's going on with him and see if I can help."

"Casey!" Paige hollers from a balcony across from them. "Practice before school! Don't be late!"

Flicking her palm out, Casey acknowledges her with the f-off gesture and doesn't even bother to look her way.

Rolling her eyes, Paige storms off past the escalators toward one of the clothing stores, followed by her minion.

Sighing, a pestered Casey turns to Taylor. "Do they sell guns at the mall?"

"Have you heard from Julia? I called her twice but it went straight to voicemail."

"Nope." Overly excited, Kira grabs at a hanger and pulls a floral sundress from the clothes rack. "Oh my god, isn't this cute?!" She turns to Paige, holding out the dress.

Paige takes a half-second to glance her way before turning back to look at a long, multi-colored sequin shirt. "Maybe if you shed twenty pounds first."

Sighing, Kira turns around and hooks the hanger back on the rack. She glances down at her waist, even though she's already slim. Maybe even thinner than Paige.

"Besides Kira, I've seen that dump you call a house. Can you even afford that dress?" Paige watches as Kira checks the price tag, more disappointment filling her face. "Yeah, that's what I thought. There's clearance in the back, if that's even in your price range."

Kira puts her hand on her hip. "You know what, Paige..."

"What?" Paige's tone is nothing but callous. Her eyes set on another shirt further down the rack.

"You can be real mean sometimes."

"Aww, did I hurt your feelings?" Paige says sarcastically.

"Yes!"

Paige turns to her, smiling. "Kira, I'm your friend. I'm just being honest. Don't you want a friend that's honest?"

Confused, Kira plays with her ponytail. "Well, yeah but..."

"Am I not your friend?" And just like that, Paige's smile vanishes.

"No, you are!"

"Then okay." Paige's attention focuses back on the shirt. "Stop making a big deal out of nothing."

"Okay."

She lifts the shirt up by the hanger, her other hand brushing it to lightly feel the sequins.

"Oh my god."

"What now, Kira?!" Her face scrunches up.

"It's Kandice Reynolds from Lakewood!"

For a moment, Paige freezes up like a deer caught in headlights, then she slowly turns around to follow Kira's gaze toward the dressing rooms lined up on the wall to their far left. Kandice steps out of a fitting room, wearing the same sundress Kira was looking at just seconds ago.

"See, I told you that dress was cute!"

"Shut up." Paige snarls, tossing the shirt over the rack. The two, in stealth mode, sneak down two more clothing racks to get a better look.

Kandice steps forward, twirling around as if she were striking poses on the runaway. After all, she does look like a model. Her tan body is toned perfectly, and she has long brunette, naturally wavy hair that drops past her shoulder. The back of a man's head emerges as someone stands up from the bench and approaches her. Paige's eyes widen.

"Oh my god. Is that Morgan?!" Kira gasps. "Is she with your ex?!"

Growing red with frustration, Paige shoots a shut the hell up glare at her and Kira quickly covers her mouth. She breathes heavily, letting out more muffled oh-my-gods behind her palm.

Morgan leans in to kiss Kandice and his hand begins to crawl up her leg and underneath the short dress. Kandice pulls back, laughing as she playfully pushes him off. They kiss again before she glides back to the dressing room. He tries to follow her inside but she shoves him out, still laughing, as she closes the door shut.

He sits back down, not noticing the two girls spying on him from the other side of the store.

Kira removes her hand. "Oh my god, isn't that like treason or something? He's sleeping with the enemy. Like literally."

Pissed, Paige tightly grabs her by her ponytail and begins to walk off, pulling Kira along with her. She already heard rumors that Morgan was with Kandice, the cheer captain for the Panthers, but actually seeing the two together confirmed it. Even when they were dating, she always had a gut feeling that he had a thing for Kandice and now, barely two weeks later, he gets with her? How petty could he be?

"Oww! Oww!!" Kira struggles to get her hair loose from Paige's grip.

Singing along to a song playing from the store's speakers, a salesclerk folds clothes on a display near the entrance. She turns around, about to ask them if they need any help as they pass, and her eyes widen.

"Say one more word and you're dead." Paige barks as she drags Kira through the exit.

♫ ᴘᴀʀɪs / ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ᴍᴀɴ ♫