Paige's POV

I was sitting in my armchair, reading a book when I heard the door burst open.

"That was the best Spleef tournament EVER!" Ashton exclaimed.

"Yeah, because you won," Steve said.

"Well... yeah!"

"Hey, you know if Paige is home?"

"I'm right here," I called to them.

"Oh, hey Paige!" Ashton said to me. "I won Spleef!"

"Yes, I know, because you yelled it," I said.

"She's got a point, you know," Steve said and playfully elbowed him.

Ashton huffed. "If you're just going to be all pouty because you came in third, then I'm just going to eat this celebration cake by myself!"

He went in the food chest, grabbed a cake and left.

Steve rolled his eyes, walked over and sat on the armchair next to me.

"So," he said. "What's the word?"

"Not much," I said. "But I want to know when another one of those tournaments come up. I've been practicing my sword fighting skills lately."

"Maybe we could duel each other tonight," Steve suggested. "I'm free for the first time in ages."

I nodded. Steve's always out and about, and I'm usually stuck with Ashton. Even though we're buddies, living with him could be a pain sometimes.

"So, have you heard from Hayden lately?" he asked me. "I want to find a day to hang out."

"He has BSM," I reminded him.

"Right..."

"If I could, I would try to get a hold of him. I need to tell him about the news."

Steve's face darkened. "Yes. He needs to know."

"He should be on here in like a week, knowing him," I said.

"But he needs to know sooner."

"He might not be able to be on sooner. There are other people with him. I don't want him to be exposed."

"But it will be soon." Steve locked eyes with me.

"Yes," I replied. "It will."



Krystal's POV

It had been two weeks since the abduction of Johan, and the tension between all of the teens hasn't ceased. Everyone was always suspiciously looking at one another, thinking that someone was the hacker. Even the people we lived with haven't acted the same around me, or any of us. Nobody trusted each other. But Hayden and I did.

Although he acted a little weird around me sometimes, we completely trusted each other. When classes were over we would go back to the hotel and hang out. We pretty much had only each other for company. For now.

Today, after a bunch of HQ tours, Hayden and I headed over to a Coffee Shop. I leaned back in the couch I was sitting in and took a sip of my frappicino.

"Ugh," I said to Hayden. "I am so sick of everyone ignoring each other! Aren't you?"

"Yeah," Hayden said. "I mean, everyone should have each other's backs, since Johan got abducted in all, instead of doing the opposite."

A spark ignited in my mind.

"That's it!" I said. "We should form an alliance with our roommates."

"What do you mean by "alliance"?" Hayden questioned.

"Like we vow to have each other's backs no matter if one person is the hacker or not."

"That's a great idea!" Hayden said. "Although, I'm not really in favor of protecting the hacker if he or she is in the group..."

"Same," I said. "But if we want to earn somebody's trust, this is where to start."

Hayden chuckled. "You just reminded me of one of my friends at home..."

I raised my eyebrows. "And who might that be?"

"Her name is Paige. When she discusses plans, she gets all serious and in that mode."

A smile creeped up on my face. "Is that a good thing?"

"Mmhm."

I sighed. "Cool."

"How are we going to get the word out?" he asked.

"I'll tell Luna," I said. "She's like the only person who would listen."

Hayden looked at me.

"Besides you!" I said.

He smiled. "Just making sure."

I looked at him and smiled back.

"Want to explore town for a little while?" he offered.

"Sure," I said.

And with that, we put on our coats and walked outside.

"So who's that Paige girl you mentioned?" I asked as we departed the coffee shop.

"Oh, she's just a friend from home," he replied. "Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Yeah. She dates one of my best friends."

"That's cool," I said. "What's your friend's name?"

"Steve."

"Ah. So what's it like?"

"What?"

"Being the third wheel."

"Oh... um..."

"I mean, you've had to feel like that sometimes... right?"

"Yeah, I guess sometimes."

I thought back to at home. One of my friends had a boyfriend. She didn't talk to me as much the months she dated him. It was irritating.

"It happened to me too," I said.

"What did you think of it?" Hayden asked.

"Irritating, in a way," I replied.

Hayden muttered something I couldn't make out, and went silent. I stole a glance at him after a minute and his face was red. It was probably from the cold.

I took my phone out of my pocket and found Luna's contact. I texted her a quick message that said, "Get everyone in the living room at 5. I have something important to discuss."

"We have to start heading home," I said to Hayden. "We have a meeting back at the hotel."


••••••••••••••••••••••••

When we arrived at the room, all four of our roommates were waiting.

"Hey," I said.

They all stared. These are not the people I know.

"You wanted to speak to us?" Lexus said.

"Yes," I said.

"Let's hear it then."

I took a deep breath. "I'm really tired of all of this tension and ignoring each other thing. Can I please know why we even do it?"

"We can't really trust anybody after Johan got abducted," Shannon said. "Someone here is obviously the hacker."

"Well, let's get this over with," I said. "Whoever is the hacker, speak now. If you are, we will keep the secret."

Nobody spoke.

"I guess none of us are the hackers," I said.

"So you're just going to go with that?" Lexus asked. "What if one of us is the hacker? You just trust those results?"

"Yep," I said. "You're my friends. I trust you."

I gave him a challenging look, and his gaze softened.

"Don't forget, the hacker broke my computer," I said. "I hate him/her as much as we all do. But the only way we can get anywhere is that we remain to be friends and trust each other. And I know I want all of the above. So, you in or not?"

Lexus nodded. "I'm in."

"It's about time we all trusted each other," Luna said. "I was starting to get tired of it myself. I'm in."

"I'm with you guys," DJ said.

We all looked at Shannon.

"Of course I'm in!" Shannon said.

"Friends again?" I asked.

Everyone agreed.


•••••••••••••••••••


The next day, everything went back to normal. We were all talking to each other again, and I've never been happier. At the BSM, we learned about complex commands. Hayden was awesome at it. I needed help from him to get the hang of it. At lunch, I sat next to Shannon, Luna and a few of my new friends, Bella and Liz.

We talked a while. Bella was really nice, and Liz was funny. Then, I had to go to the bathroom. I stood up and told my friends I would be right back.

As I walked to the bathroom, the hallways were oddly quiet. It was so quiet that I had a feeling I was being watched. Or followed. I turned around, and there was no one behind me.

Quit being so paranoid, I thought.

I entered the bathroom. It was pretty nice, but then again everything was nice in this building. I opened a stall door, and then-

BAM!

The impact of my body hitting the wall made me cry out in pain and shock. I opened my eyes to find that I was being pinned to the wall by the very person I hated the most.

Vivian.

"What do you want from me Vivian?" I yelled. "Why did you have to do this?"

"I think you know why," Vivian said. "For coming in between Hayden and I!"

My mouth dropped open. Vivian likes Hayden?!

She continued. "Hayden was as good as mine from the very moment I laid eyes on him. But then you came in, and now he wants you, and you want him."

"But I don't feel that way about him!" I protested. "We're just friends! And I'm sure he feels that way too!"

Vivian paused for a moment. Then she shot me a glare.

"Liar!" she shouted. "I've always known Hayden had a thing for you. I see it in the way he looks at you. All you are is what comes between us. He is MINE!"

She punched me. "And I won't let you get him."

I could feel the spot on my face she hit hard start to swell up.

I glared at her and managed, "If Hayden could have any girlfriend in the world, I wouldn't want it to be you!"

"You're gonna be sorry you ever said that," Vivian said.

Then she slammed me hard against the wall. I fell to the ground and the world went black.




_____________________________

Whoa... Someone needs to give Vivian some anger management classes. That part was unexpected! And fast. Well, HAPPY THANKSGIVAKKAH EVERYONE! Hope you enjoy the break from school! I know I am :)